“We are living in a very dangerous time. To those who deal with the minds and hearts of young people… you must be prepared to go for broke.”

James Baldwin, A Letter to Teachers

This I Believe

There is only one core curriculum, and that to paraphrase Whitehead, is life itself. How we become citizens and a human beings. Never confuse learning with schooling.

    • Unleash what is natural and alive in children

    • Unleash what is purposeful and vital for teachers

    • Equip them with diverse ways to create and communicate

    • Expose them thoughtfully to content and experiences that enlarge and deepen understanding and social kinship

    • Design opportunities for practicing democratic behavior

    • Restore intergenerational linkages

    • Practice buoyancy, stamina and the art of holding your breath under water.

    • Lead on level ground. Not from podiums, pedestals or the grandstands.

    • Humility. Wear it like a perfectly made shirt.

    • Never take yourself too seriously.

    • Distribute authority. Don’t monopolize it. Spread it round and distribute the ball.

    • Seek multiple perspectives. Trust your own.

    • Avoid jargon, slogans and sound bytes. Language is the most powerful tool you possess.