The he(art) of education

The magic and heart of education is found in any place, any situation in which people connect. Its the magic that happens everyday in classrooms all around the world when a teacher looks into the eyes of a child and pauses to hold space for the feelings brimming in the child.

The Art of Education is about finding the he(art) in education. While some of my recent writings on this blog present me as a critic of mainstream public education, I draw a distinction between the system and policies of education and the people involved in it, especially teachers, students, school administrators and parents. I believe in and have witnessed the heart and magic of education in a variety of settings, in schools with a large number of students in each class and in smaller classrooms, in public schools, private schools and free schools, in urban settings and wooded ones, in prisons and on farms.

The magic and heart of education is found in any place, any situation in which people connect. Its the magic that happens everyday in classrooms all around the world when I teacher looks into the eyes of a child and pauses to hold space for the feelings brimming in the child. No systems and policies are present in those moments. Its one human witnessing another, touching them and feeling them with their heart. I deeply hope education policies and systems can support the creation of spaces in which such heartfelt interactions are more welcomed.

To get a real sense of what I mean, watch this video on Children full of life. Its 10 minutes long and is worth being more than an hour long. Watch it when you have the quiet time to let it tug your heart. 

Write back after watching and lets dialog on the he(art) of education.