Looking at the world; leading the world

 

Over the past few days I've been looking at the world, looking at our leaders, considering the challenges facing our community and our world, and how we go about addressing the challenges. I went to hear anthropologist, National Geographic "resident explorer" (what a great job!) and photographer Wade Davis talk about the Sacred Headwaters of the Nass, Stikine and Skeena rivers and the threat from the Red Chris Mine. I went to a PAC meeting with our district superintendent and listened to ideas on what qualities make an effective leader. I was immersed in the conflict between teachers in BC and our provincial government. I listened to the Imam of the local mosque talk to my class.

The message: Listen. Be respectful. Do what is right. Allow others to do what they do best. Appreciate.

Wade Davis said, when talking about Shell Oil executives looking to develop natural gas deposits in Northwest BC, there are no enemies. We must look for common ground, be opportunistic (in the sense of taking advantage of every opportunity), and recognize the values others have. He was talking about the non-monetary value of the land to the Iskut people, and of the ecological value of the biodiversity. 

We, as teachers, and the government, need to understand and respect the value that the other puts on economic prudence, on creating balanced classrooms, on supporting learning. How that can happen is up for discussion, but without the respect, without the search for common ground, hon the process of reconciliation begin? As hurtful as I feel Bill 22 is, I do not doubt that the BC government wants a strong education system, one that other jurisdictions strive to emulate. Indeed many of the aspects of the BC Education Plan reflect how I teach and what I feel is important in education: personalized learning, quality teaching, flexibility, technology. Is it complete? No. Where is the focus on ecological literacy, on getting kids outside, on community, on traditional knowledge? And for the plan to be successful there needs to be adequate funding and supports for every student, and working in conjunction with teachers, parents and administrators. 

Solutions do not work when they are imposed. Look at Bill 22! They do work, as we advised our superintendent, when change is organic, when participants are empowered and feel valued, when all the skills and knowledge of the community is taken into consideration. Once one does that, they can see the leverage points in the system and work with the system to effect positive change.

And thinking about appreciation, take time to appreciate every moment, as Louie Schwartzberg explains in his short: Nature, Beauty, Gratitude.