My dear friend Alfredo Muro and I regularly drink coffee and discuss things like; the power of music, current events, and what can we all do to improve the world. We both feel strongly that hope resides in young people. Their intentions are quintessentially better able to accomplish what adults have failed to do. Our role is to listen to young people and somehow help them to do better than we did. We must help young people with why learning matters and how they can use it to help the world.
Shortly after the coffee conversation I attend a virtual launch of PathLight International's "The Educator's Wire." Mr. Paul Noralez was one of the teachers honored. His work and the work of other teachers in Belize helps students with the why, as they are learning the what.
In traditional learning, much attention is given to what. We design curriculum, deliver it to students, test students, and then repeat. Are there better approaches to learning that connect what students learn to why it is important. Can the opportunities that One Voice 4 Change supports help students use what they learn to improve the world.
Mr. Noralez mentioned an inspirational message guiding his work and vision.
"I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better."
- Dr. Maya Angelou
Dr. Maya Angelou: American poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist.
Young people are an important Voice 4 Change.
"The Educator's Wire" (a digital community celebrating successful teachers, programs, and educational resources)
Imagine what all we can do when we have the drive to initiate and propel our ideas.
I see a movement growing already in Belize. The teachers know that through our programs CHANGE is coming.
- Beatrice Arnold-Geban (PathLight International)
How can we support why?
Collaborate with caring people who are improving the world.
Listen to young people and spend time on what matters to them.
Find ways to support every child in every school. It's going to take everyone pouring everything they have into our most precious resource . . . students!
Look at schools in your community. Get to know what students and teachers need and help them get it.
Inspire students with your expertise, stories, and mentorship. When you see joyful students learning together, figure out how to support it.
Celebrate every success. Changing the world is tough. Finding a way to change the world for one student is doable.
Keep striving to accomplish the OV4C mission:
To create world-wide educational partnerships that inspire learning and global citizenship.
Consuelo and Beatrice just shared their initiative called "Future Me."
They will also help us present ideas for the future of learning at ASCEND 2020. (Nov. 17, 2020)
