Empowering Education: Critical Teaching for Social Change

This week's blog was on Ira Shor's, Empowering Education: Critical Teaching for Social Change. The main point of Shor's reading is that school isn't just about forcing students to memorize facts and completing assignments. Instead it should be about socializing and connecting with students so that they are interested and excited to learn every time they go to school. For this blog I decided to do quotes. 
The first quote I picked is, "You must arouse children's curiosity and make them think about school. For example, it's very important to begin the school year with a discussion of why we go to school. Why does the government force us to go to school? This would set a questioning tone and show the children that you trust them and that they are intelligent enough. at their own level, to investigate and come up with answers" (Meier 1990, 7). I chose this quote because I find it to be very true. Children are always very curious as to why they need to go to school to be successful; when in all actuality school is the first step to the rest of your life. How you react to your education, can make or break the rest of your life. 
The next quote I chose states, "Empowered students make meaning and act from reflection, instead of memorizing fact's and value, handed to them" (Shor 12). I chose this quote because I believe the key to success if actually learning and engaging in the material rather just going through the motions. I believe that is what Shor is trying to say here. 
The last quote I chose is, "Students in empowering classes should be expected to develop skills and knowledge as well as high expectations for themselves, their educa­tion and their futures. They have a right to earn good wages doing meaningful work in a healthy society at peace with itself and the world" (Shor 16). I chose this quote because one's education is fully the individual's responsibility and is in their hands. By being a 100% committed to one's own education, you are opening yourself up to a world of opportunities in the job market.

http://www.parallax.org/blog/mindfulness-classroom-teacher-social-emotional-learning/