Does education kill creativity?

Our education system seems to be the topic to which many people feel comfortable bashing, giving advice, cures, etc. But one man that I truly believe has something to talk about is Sir Ken Robinson. He has one of the most watched TED talks about education and creativity. He speaks about the education system that is in place now and how it does not foster a space of creativity for our youth.

Watch his videos at TED:

http://www.ted.com/search?q=sir+ken+robinson

Looking back on my education I wonder if, although time has passed, does this apply to my experience of formal education. And I can say with an overwhelming YES, I do feel that our education system stifled my expression, imagination, and curiosity. One person that traditional education exploits as the ultimate genius is Albert Einstien. And what does he have to say about this topic:

It is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education.

-Albert Einstein

Our education system puts so much pressure on the fundamentals (reading, writing, and math), so why are we not producing great thinkers? 

Thomas Friedman, author of ‘The World Is Flat’ has something to say about the new global competition that faces youth in the work force today…what does he have to say?

"Give me the kid with a passion to learn and a curiosity to discover and I will take him or her over the less passionate kid with a huge IQ every day of the week." IQ "still matters, but CQ and PQ ... matter even more." Thomas Friedman

But why do we not see these things as important in education? It’s all about memorizing, not question what is in your text book, being an obedient student. Yet many great thinkers, scientists, and artists are quite the opposite and some of the greatest works comes from challenging the facts of today.

I do not want to bash teachers, for I know many and see their passion and efforts in their work. It is deeper that teachers, this problem that we face, it is a systematic problem that needs to be explored not obediently followed. If we look around the world today, children are facing a much different and challenging world, let’s give them the best tools to face their future. And let’s start with Ken Robinson’s suggestions.

Check out the man of the hour:

http://www.ted.com/search?q=sir+ken+robinson
http://sirkenrobinson.com/skr/

Learning to Take Up Space and Have a Voice

 

‘Sugar and spice and everything nice!’ This is the message I received as a young woman from the social support around me. Yet I also had to be smart, athletic, successful, and in many ways the ideal young woman. So not only do you have to be a ‘good’ girl, you also have to do everything well, with the ‘good’ girl demeanor. Suppress any desire to be loud, angry, or to take up space. 

Now at the age of 26 I’ve almost mastered this illusion that women must bear in order to gain the respect and love of many people in my life. But wait a minute!!! I don’t want to be restrained! I want to be a full, whole, healthy, human being. So if that means taking up space, well then I’m going to take up space. Move over world, I’m taking my space back! When I say I’m taking my space back, I mean I want to take up as much space as the next guy. (Also, I don’t mean increasing my carbon footprint, ha, I mean more of a spiritual/emotional/psychological space which only comes w/ confidence in self to BE in the world).

I took a workshop w/ Rachel Simmons called, Say What You Mean, Be Who You Are.  It was incredible. We talked about the pressures our culture places on young women’s shoulders to be a ‘good’ girl, not take up to much space, or ask for too much. This is not a healthy way to live. Not only is it unhealthy for the women under this cultural spell, but also the world at large. Under this ‘good’ girl guise people cannot truly thrive or grow to be the best person they can become. When we hold back, we cannot fully blossom, and therefore we will not be able to truly give our best (to yourself and the world). 

This poem by Anais Nin speaks beautifully to this idea:

And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.

 

Believe me, we want people to blossom. I want every person in this world to become a healthy realized individual. To thrive as an artist, an astronaut, a librarian, a mechanic, a president because when we allow for this type of blossoming we will truly have the best president or the best artist regardless of sex, race, age, sexual orientation, etc. 

Back to Rachel Simmons…the workshop focused on assisting young women in taking up space, being loud, speaking our desires, without the fear of losing important relationships. It’s amazing how many young women will be overly polite, not ask for too much, or become angry at someone due to a fear that the other individual will not love us anymore. When did we get this message!!! This is so unhealthy, yet I find myself acting this way often. Yes, there are times when it is important to compromise and be friendly, but not at the expense of your spiritual and psychological health.

This message speaks to so many women. If I take a moment to think about the women in my life that do this, wow, I can think of sooooo many. When I think about men, yes some do this, butmost say what they want to or ask for things they would like. Women need some of that confidence,  to believe that their health, desires, and dreams are just as important or maybe more important to keep healthy relationships. It makes total sense, take care of yourself and love yourself, so that you may help and love others. We’ve all heard it so many times, ‘if you can’t love yourself, how can you love others?’, invest in your health women!

Even though I’ve spent a good chunk of my life accepting the ‘good’ girl guise, I am so happy to finally challenge that perception and take a step towards having a voice and taking up space. I know I deserve it, and so does every single person.

Thanks Rachel!

 

Check out this rock star lady:

http://www.rachelsimmons.com/
http://tedxwomen.org/speakers/rachel-simmons/

Assignment #14: Reflecting on Leadership for Change

Exercise #1: Read blog. Check.

Exercise #2: The sound bite.

Carrying out dreams are most certainly possible through knowing one’s self, motivation, support, and getting the sometimes fun and sometimes not so fun work done and with little and big steps before you know it you will have a deep sense of pride for your accomplishments. (I know a long sentence, but it is hard to synthesize all that I have learned in one sentence because there is so many important things learned).

Exercise #3: Personal reflection.

1. I have grown in many ways from this class. This has been a great investment for my life now and for the future. I don’t even know yet the full impact that this class has had on me because I think that much of it still hasn’t fully sunk in yet, but I think it is safe to say that this class has had an overall positive impact on every facet of my life. Overall this class has challenged me to think and be a better me.
2. This course has really changed much of my thinking about many things. My knowledge of myself, leadership, love, goals, possibilities, my future, others/groups, and many more things have been changed in a positive way from this class. I have learned a lot about myself that will help me in figuring out where I should be occupationally and what I need to work on in relation to myself and others. Through reading about leadership I have learned so much on what a healthy leader looks like which will be tremendously beneficial for me and other people in my life. I loved our Hooks book about love! I did not anticipate learning about love in this class, but it is so important to think about. I also loved Palmer’s book which has helped me think about the depths of my heart and soul. The possibilities have been introduced in this class and I feel like I can just go crazy with my options. Before this class I did hold myself back when thinking about what I should do, but with Sher’s help I have realized why not dream as big and as often as I can! The class has also shown me the importance of what it really means to work with others, not only well, but in a genuine, carrying and honest way. Finally this has led me to think about my future and that I really do have a world of possibilities out there just waiting to be occupied if I can work hard enough (with support, networks, etc.) to cultivate and cradle the dream.
3. Before this class I have realized the importance of thinking and planning out my dream, but I have learned different and more effective ways to go about it. The importance of networking and planning out feasible daily, weekly, etc. goals is something that before this class I did not realize the importance of. The behavior of putting myself ‘out there’ when it comes to networking is a new thing that this class has pushed me to do. Making strategic goals, rather than the some broad goals, is a new behavior that before this class I did not know how to do.
4. The three best things about this class have been; the books/readings, group activities, and the ability to do self-exploration.
5. The three things I liked least about this class; switching up bonded groups, grading rubric, and that half way through the semester there were significant course changes with assignments (this threw me off track.6. I would change the above mentioned; keep grading the same throughout the semester, and keep the same groups together.

Assignment #13: Work the Plan

1: First Steps
Find out if I can sell fair trade items at my church. After going through a few people I found the right individual that could answer. Initially I was not looking forward to this assignment because I did not know who to contact or how to go about this, but it actually turned out to be fun. I was able to get an answer relatively quickly and get to know a lot of people I had not known previously at my church, or rather networks that allow me to move closer to my goal.
2: Business Meeting
I was able to meet with my good friend the other day to talk about our plans, dreams and goals. It is amazing how reinforcing and supportive a buddy can be! I went over what we have been doing in the class, showing my friend the Wishcraft, my planning wall, etc. Similar to the prior week, it is great to meet with a buddy and talk about what we need to get to the next step. It is much easier to get past the tough times and problems. The buddy I met with has a similar goal, which makes it even better for our business meetings because the problems for both of us are similar. We still need to work on keeping a timer to keep on schedule, but we are doing better at managing time. At the meeting we went over our report in of the week, problems and solution in carrying out our steps and scheduling. This last week did not bring up any booster phone calls or intensive care, we both had a good week working towards our goals.
3: Sunday Meeting
I enjoyed having a set time for myself and my dreams. This time is really pivotal to not only continue my steps, but realize the importance of quality time towards the set up of my steps.
I followed Sher’s Sunday meeting schedule with looking back over the week at my steps, weekly calendar to refresh my memory about what I have or haven’t done. Then I updated my goal calendar, according to the results of my steps this last week. Such that I have found that I can sell fair-trade items at my church so that my goal calendar can go forward, rather than find a solution to the problem. I then did step three, list of first steps, where I was able to cross off some of the first steps already completed. Step four, problems, I do have one of those for my next step…which brings me to the hard times and brainstorming. I need to have some hard times for a little bit and brainstorm to get over this issue. I need to work on getting some fresh way of thinking about these problems. Step five, next weeks plan, was worked out with my budy at the business meeting. Finally I have my next steps in my small portable calendar, which helps remind me everyday I look at it. Again this meeting was helpful to reinforce my goals and my touchstone and help refocus my drive for the week.

Exercise 1 & Exercise 2 (April 14th)

Exercise 1: Finding two professors whose research interests me.

(This will help me select a graduate program and a professor to work under).

1. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Dr. Sherryl Kleinman & Dr. Kathleen M Harris

2. University of Arizona - Dr. Kraig Beyerlein & Dr. Lane Kenworthy

3. University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign – Dr. Heather Downs & Dr. Anna-Maria Marshall

4. University of Wisconsin Madison – Dr. Aimée R. Dechter & Katherine J. Curtis

5. Loyola University – Dr. Fred Kniss, Dr. Judith Wittner & Dr. Philip Nyden

6. University of Notre Dame – Dr. Christian Smith & Dr. Larissa Fast

It’s moving along….or that is how it feels anyway. This class has been good for me in several ways, but one of the ways I notice the most is the constant action which will take you further than you realize before you know it. These ‘next steps’ make me move toward my dream sometimes without me know just how quickly. It takes down that imaginary curtain between me and that dream that seems so far off and abstract. Sometimes I think that can be a resistance for me, where I will picture this dream that seems to far away or difficult to achieve, but in actuality is not. Taking these little steps makes the dream more real with every little step…until one day hopefully it will happen.

Exercise 2: Buddy System

I have chosen my two closest friends as my buddy system. The weekly business meeting went better than I could expect. It is amazing when you have another person who acts as a back-up and helps reinforce progress towards your goals and dreams. I have noticed that when someone (my buddies) expects to hear back about my actions during the week it helps me to work even harder on making the next step happen. Having a good friend as a buddy also makes the ‘next steps’ more of an adventure and exciting rather than during hard times a chore. The emotional support with my best friends is an added bonus because although I cannot always complain to my teachers, I can complain and vent with my friends who then support me. The buddy system is also a very practical, for example you can use that person as a network that can help you get in contact with someone, help with resources, etc. I have taken Sher’s suggestion about being on time seriously because it is important to show that I take this seriously and show that this meeting is important to me (both my own goals and their goals). We were able to do the 5 minute report in and the problem and solving time easily. This was nice to summarize the week and hear from yourself how the steps are doing, also to see how fast the other person is going. After we reported in, discussed problems and solutions we quickly did the 5 minute scheduling. I need to work on making/keeping a schedule and time limit with a timer because with a good friend it is hard to stay on task and not talk about other topics. I have noticed that after the meetings we have short booster phone calls that do help assist us during the week. This has been one of the best things I have done for the progression of my goals.

Optional: Interview with a professor/activist.

I called a professor that Prof. Rock had suggested I speak to because this professor’s interests are similar to mine. Although it took awhile to get us both together for an interview, it finally happened! She is great! I learned so much more than I realized! Looking back at the interview that happened just a few hours ago I learned not just about being an activist and a professor, but about being a living and thriving human being.
The top 5 tips she gave me about looking back at her life:
1. Let yourself go and get involved with what you are interested in, rather than what is a direct path and will just provide a job.
2. Find out if you are good at that thing you are passionate about.
3. Investigate on what it takes to succeed, or rather have a plan. (Sher would say ‘amen’).
4. Work hard!
5. Lastly, recognize that the path is ups and downs, not a straight easy line to success. There will be ups and downs, but don’t focus on that. Focus on whether there is a positive trend towards success or your goal, rather than an occasional down.
This was a great interview and I took away so much great advice!

Exercise 1 & 2

Exercise 1:

My next step is to begin becoming the social activist I want to become for the rest of my life and during my career as a professor. This brings me to actually acting on this desire, which to me means volunteering my time. This is exactly what I am doing at the moment. As I blogged about earlier I have started to communicate with someone I greatly admire as an activist who works with women in Uganda to bring about positive change and sustainability in their lives. The step of volunteering/interning with this organization has started to take place! This has all happened so quickly and just by emailing someone I admire as a role model I have started to gain experience and connections. This brings me to the next thing….

Exercise 2:

The resistance I have been working through has been the fact that I am a graduating senior and have too much on my plate to begin volunteering on top being anxious about graduating. For me it is also scary when things that you wanted to happen actually do begin to happen. I am not sure yet what this means, maybe I am scared of success or failure. It may be a little of both, but at times it seems that I am more cautious when I might fail. Because why invest time, efforts, your deepest self into an action when you might ended up failing big time. There have been times in my past where failing has let others down, my parents for example, and the thought that I might disappoint someone or that I can't live up to their expectations intimidates me from action. Also disappointing my self is a scary thing. Because then it feels like that doubt that you have about your self, the little voice, was right all along. Fear of failing can be very demobilizing for me. Support from other people, as Sher would say, helps take the pressure and anxiety off at times. It also helps when deep down your touchstone is motivating you to move on despite the little voice in your head that tells you that you can't do it. I am trying to move through this fear to find the joy of doing the things I love.

Next Step (#2) / First Step for New Goal

Although my main goal has changed, I still want to be an activist and this step will help me achieve that. My next step was to begin setting up an internship/volunteering with someone from one of my interviews. Through a few emails we have set up opportunities for me to volunteer with the organization. There are many different avenues that I can volunteer with this organization, but I will start by selling fair trade necklaces on campus, with friends and through other routes. I was not prepared for the speed with which things would start happening after my interviews with role models. I am very excited to be a part of something I love, fair trade. I am also excited about the opportunities this will bring me and the contacts too!

I also need to start the first step to my new goal, which will be finding 5 graduate programs that I am interested in applying for.
1. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
2. University of Arizona
3. University of Illinois At Urbana - Champaign
4. University of Wisconsin Madison
5. Loyola University