Reports: Dr Heatley Shortlisted For Job In USA
[Updated with videos] According to two U.S. news reports Dr Edmond Heatley — Bermuda’s Commissioner of Education — has been shortlisted for the position of Superintendent of the Orleans Parish School Board in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Dr. Heatley, an American, took up the post in Bermuda around six months ago, on September 11, 2013.
When his appointment was announced in August of last year, Chairman of the Board of Education Curtis Dickinson said that in selecting the new Commissioner they had a “rigourous process” and reviewed some 70 applications.
Mr. Dickinson said, “Following a review of some 70 applications, a shortlisted pool of qualified candidates was interviewed and provided a presentation to the panel setting out how they would take the Bermuda public Education system forward.
“Out of that process, two candidates were brought to Bermuda and assessed through an independent provider assessing emotional intelligence, personality profile, performance management and leadership.”
The reports say that Dr. Heatley is one of four people shortlisted for the job, along with Thomas Darden, D’Juan Hernandez and Kyle Wedberg.
The Times-Picayune reports that the Orleans board plans to conduct first-round interviews with the four candidates on Wednesday and March 20, with follow-up interviews March 24 and 25 if needed.
In an obvious reference to Bermuda as a destination, they also noted that at the announcement there were jokes made about how it’s “absolutely necessary to interview that candidate in his current work environment.”
The post on the Orleans Parish School Board website announcing the launch of the search for the new superintendent is dated October 23, 2013 — about 6 weeks after Dr. Heatley took up the post in Bermuda.
We asked the Ministry of Education for clarification this morning, and will update as able.
Update 12.14pm: We contacted a Louisiana news outlets seeking additional information about when this search began in light of Dr. Heatley taking up the post in Bermuda in Sept. 2013, and they indicated the search process for this position did not start before that time as the Orleans Parish School Board didn’t even choose a superintendent search firm until September.
Update 3.02pm: While Education & Economic Development Minister Dr Grant Gibbons explained that Ministers don’t get involved in staffing issues as they are handled by the technical officers, he did say that they just learned about this situation today.
Update 3.08pm: Shadow Education Minister Walton Brown said if these reports pan out to be correct, it suggests a lack of “firm commitment” to Bermuda students which is “disconcerting.”
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Articles that link to this one:
- MP Lister On Dr Heatley: “Tell Him Get Cracking” | Bernews.com | March 15, 2014
- Report: Heatley Attends Interview In New Orleans | Bernews.com | March 21, 2014
- Brown: Dr. Heatley Should Resign Immediately | Bernews.com | March 30, 2014
- Dr. Heatley Withdraws Orleans Job Application | Bernews.com | April 1, 2014
- Principals Vote “No Confidence” On Dr. Heatley | Bernews.com | April 3, 2014
- Dr. Edmond Heatley Resigns As Commissioner | Bernews.com | April 11, 2014
- Ministry: ‘No Knowledge’ Of Survey Referred To | Bernews.com | May 10, 2014
If this is true and he gets the job, then abolish the position. All it ever does is bring controversy and arguments. Plus we’ll save some cash.
This must be a early April Fool’s Day Joke?
The joke is that we the taxpayers have funded this guy for this long when he really hasn’t been focused on being here. Once he got the job, he should have ended his other job searches. He was clearly just looking for a fat check in paradise until he found the job he wanted back in America.
They need to scrap that position if they are not going to put a Bermudian who is qualified and dedicated to the work that needs to be done in our country.
The real joke it that you think the search for such an important position should be limited to a population of less than 60,000. You should understand that the likelihood of finding someone with the requisite skills, training and experience in such a miniscule pool is exceedingly remote.
IF he was in fact looking for other opportunities from the outset, perhaps it has to do with the warm welcome he received from those who assumed he was here to become rich and get some sun, at the expense of a long line of qualified Bermudians who would have loved that job, regardless of their qualifications. After all, what’s more important here, the education of Bermudian children, or employment opportunities for an unnamed unknown Bermudian applicant?
If you THINK that WE are UNSKILLED, LACK EXPERIENCE/TRAINING – WHY DON”T you MOVE to a SOCIETY were EVERYONE MEETS YOUR STANDARDS?????
SICK of NEGATIVE PEOPLE SPREADING NEGATIVITY!!!!!!
He never said that people here are unskilled or lacked experience. He simply suggested that the best person for the job should get it. There are over 7 billion people in the world and around 65000 are here. Chances are the most suitable candidate is not Bermudian.
If this is deemed such an important role that will impact thousands of Bermudian children then their needs should rank above the one Bermudian that many want to get the job because of status.
If there happens to be a suitable Bermudian candidate then great.
Also, maybe Dr. Heatley decided to apply for jobs back in the States after the negative public response to his appointment. He’s been short listed which suggests he might actually be decent at his job.
Maybe, like Betty has mentioned, the challenge is too great. Public education has been poorly handled by UBP, PLP and it looks like OBA are not doing much better.
Abolish the post??
We currently don’t even have a dedicated Education Minister or PS.
Jokes
the fact that we don’t have a dedicated education minister shows just how much this government cares about public education
but have a suggestion maybe the house speaker should take the post of education commissioner or maybe the butler
Do we want someone whom may perhaps realized the job here is too big for them. He may not believe he is able to achieve the goals that he thought he was initially capable of doing. Looks like he may have come to realization that to FIX Education is just too much of a big job for him to accomplish. Why keep trying to sail a ship if he is not able to stop the water from sinking it. Looks like the government may not have hired the right man to begin with.
No, Dr Heatley was vigorously searching for a job and got the position in Bermuda. However, 6 months later he is still vigorously searching for a job, just not in Bermuda.
Funds well spent? To bring him in and pay the cost of relocation, housing and all the other ‘perks’ of this newly created position; I fail to see the justification.
Did any of the panel members who interviewed him ask, what is his long term career vision and how he intends to achieve it? In other words, was he interested in returning to the US to work and in what time frame?
Furthermore, if he was assessed on his emotional intelligence (as claimed) then there would be no reason why you would not have seen Bermuda as his short term plan.
Hopefully, his contract was written to allow us to claw back any funds, if he chooses to opt out of his contract. But I am not hopeful, we are never protective of our public purse, but just keep throwing funds away in false hope.
I agree with your blogger, eliminate the position. Additionally, transfer the funds of his salary and perks to your Bermuda scholarship fund; that’s money better spent.
Now is the time to elevate Leah Scott to Education Minister.
London, England
I was all with you until your last sentence . . .elevate Leah Scott to Education Minister???? That’s hilarious!!!!!
Ms Scott, it is so easy to diss someone under an alias even as that ‘alias name’ is identical to the individual being advocated for.
You find the statement advocating for Leah Scott to be elevated to Minister of Education hilarious.
Whereas I am preplexed that someone would put on a hood of enmity to comment and laugh at others; it’s just plain mean spirited and sad.
If you are going to diss someone at least have the self-respect to use your real name. Or, are you afraid and/or shame that others will end up laughing at you?
Mrs. Akinstall:
With all due respect, as a CS (thus I cannot identify myself or use my real name), I can assure you that those who know understand and will agree with Ms. Scott. MP Leah Scott, a wonderful person, is incapable and unqualified to take up the post of Education Minister. Education is way too important to be put in the hands of a novice.
Q
@Question
Then make your points based upon that argument.
You sound intelligent and capable of posting a cogent, substantive and compelling rebuttal stating the qualities, qualifications, and experience needed and why, in your opinion, Ms Scott MP, lacks any/or all the attributes needed.
But keep it objective, not a smear of sarcasm (or any negative commentary when you are NOT prepared to pen your real name). Because who you criticise deserves to have equal time in response, if s/he so desires. We need to stop sending debates into the negative commentary sphere, as it has no value, not even entertainment value.
London, England
Ms. Akinstall,
Just as you hace soought to voice your opinion, others have the right to do so, whether they reveal their whole identity or not. You have made an ASSUMPTION that “Ms. Scott” is this person’s alias . . .totally unfounded maybe, as they may share MP Scott’s last name.
Just as the previous person states, let me say first hand, in my experience with MP Scott, she lacks the experience, and more so the people skills to handle such an important portfolio.
The irony in your statements above, is that the same way you fell Ms. Scott’s comment was mean spirited, you have so cowardly done the same thing with your own statement of inference that Ms. Scott is not intelligent. Since you do not know her or he personally, that is a subjective and unfair assumption based on one statement.
This is a public blog . . .and just because someone’s opinion of another’s suggestion differs from your own, doesn’t mean they are of any less intelligence than another.
Are you attempting to elude to the fact that I found your suggestion of Leah Scott as Education Minister hilarious that I am not intelligent. My comment stopped short of stating what I really feel.
Further in regard to my name, stand corrected as that is not a pen name but my real name. There is no coincidence that we share the last name at all.
Since just as you so eloquently stated your opinion, so did I. Intelligence dictates that one is able to accept the opinions and feelings of others whether you agree or not.
I do not have to reveal why I found your suggestion hilarious unless I choose to do so.
@JUst Fed Up and Ms Scott…
Are you individuals incapable of understanding my post?
Where in my post did I infer or state that the alias Ms Scott is not intelligent? Precisely WHERE? READ MY POST AGAIN – WHERE? Point it out for me?
Whether Ms Scott is her real name or not, I chose to make the distinction (in my post) between Leach Scott and Ms Scott the blogger – nothing more.
Do you know the meaning of an ‘alias’? Someone who has not identified who s/he is? Until and/or unless Ms Scott choses to identity who she really is then she is an alias – and that is a no brainer.
Ms Scott, is an alias, i.e., an unidentified person on this blog. And if she choses to remain so, I really do NOT care, but when you post negatively about a REAL person, then you should possess the self-respect to post under your own identity – if not – drop the sarcasm – it’s a cheap shot! An alleged relative or not.
So, what is your point, Just Fed Up? Honestly, I find your post rather incoherent, you have misconstrued what I have said, yet you jump to defend a position you do not fully understand by twisting it in the wind.
Now Ms Scott, your precise words, “Are you attempting to elude to the fact that I found your suggestion of Leah Scott as Education Minister hilarious that I am not intelligent?
Ms Scott, find the words in my post on this blog that does precisely that? Then place those words in parenthesis to enlighten me.
One final point, Ms Scott – I never asked you to reveal why you thought my rebuttal to your post was hilarious, (I’m not interested in the reasons behind your sarcasm). However, it would be refreshing to read more objective criticisms on this blog.
London, England
FINAL EDIT
@JUst Fed Up and Ms Scott…
Are you individuals incapable of understanding my post?
Where in my post did I infer or state that the alias Ms Scott is not intelligent? Precisely WHERE? READ MY POST AGAIN – WHERE? Point it out for me?
Whether Ms Scott is her real name or not, I chose to make the distinction (in my post) between Leach Scott and Ms Scott the blogger – nothing more.
Do you know the meaning of an ‘alias’? Someone who has not identified who s/he is? Until and/or unless Ms Scott choses to identity who she really is then she is an alias – and that is a no brainer.
Ms Scott, is an alias, i.e., an unidentified person on this blog. And if she choses to remain so, I really do NOT care, but when you post negatively about a REAL person, then you should possess the self-respect to post under your own identity – if not – drop the sarcasm – it’s a cheap shot! An alleged relative or not.
So, what is your point, Just Fed Up? Honestly, I find your post rather incoherent, you have misconstrued what I have said, yet you jump to defend a position you do not fully understand by twisting it in the wind.
Now Ms Scott, your precise words, “Are you attempting to elude to the fact that I found your suggestion of Leah Scott as Education Minister hilarious that I am not intelligent?
Ms Scott, find the words in my post on this blog that does precisely that? Then place those words in parenthesis to enlighten me.
One final point, Ms Scott – I never asked you to reveal why you thought YOUR rebuttal to MY post (regarding Leach Scott) was hilarious, (I’m not interested in the reasons behind your sarcasm). However, it would be refreshing to read more objective criticisms on this blog.
London, England
I guess now we’ll see how dedicated he really is to Bermuda’s children….
I’m sure that there IS a qualified Bermudian that can do the same job or be “groomed” to do so…If not….than I agree let the position go…….
I know that people in these type of positions cannot jump from one job to another like some unskilled construction worker but something is not sitting right here.
Here he is 6 months into his Bermuda job & it appears that he was looking for another job before he even arrived here. How long is his contract? What are the terms of cutting it short? If he is looking forward to his next position how dedicated will he be towards his current job.
Something stinks here.
Ask your government…I sure they know about his contract… it would have been better it the OBAubp had taken the advice of the people of Bermuda in the first place…which was do not hire him.. REALLY
Unskilled construction worker is an oxymoron Triangle maybe STOP being such a Drifter long enough and you could learn somethings!! SMH
At least you understand my drift.
And I thought that we were the only place in the world.
But I do think we $2.324Billion dollars to other peole
We are still BORROWING $276Million per year to pay the Goverment/Union
Our economy is in the “FIFTH” year of decline(thank you PLP/BIU)
I believe he is only here for a three year contract, and in that time is was expected that a criteria put in place that would allow locals to be able to meet the requirements to fulfil this position. Having intials after your name does not mean your are able to execute organzational strategies or manage on a large scale, or be able to use the country’s funding maturely. Many of the people here locally have no experience with being responsible for a budget of over $100 million. You think the board of Education doesn’t know this?? The President is a banking executive for goodness sake. Just because someone may have been a good Principal doesnt mean they are the right one, totally different ball game when you are talking about leading a country’s education system. Personally I’m glad a fresh set of eyes were brought in. No ties here, political affilaiton, or other obstacles to get in the way of getting us were we need to be.
Any one that is smart would always have a back up plan in the event you were not successful at applying for the job you had hoped for. Additionally the post being advertised could be advertised now with the intention of starting someone in a few years time due to someone retiring. Not every country waits until the year of like us in Bermuda to start looking for people to fill post. So before we jump to conclusions, think about the bigger picture. For him there is life after Bermuda, so why not have something lined up. Leaving us high and dry i wold disagree with, but if this is forward thinking on his part, you can’t knock the brother.
Frankly, I think our kids deserve better than that. There is nothing wrong with “forward thinking” but this appears to be more than that. The post for which he’s applied is replacing the previous Super who retired in June 2012 – therefore, I think it unlikely that they are willing to wait three more years to fill that position.
I don’t know the full terms of Mr. Heatley’s contract, but I am fairly certain that the Ministry had no intentions of kicking him out directly after 3 years, even with a Bermudian successor being groomed to take over. I’m sure they would have given him time to phase out to ensure a smooth turn over.
If Heatley succeeds and takes the position, our kids are left in the lurch. If he does not succeed and remains here, it sends the message that Bermuda is only second best. Yes, clearly he is looking out for his own interests, which he has a right to do – but perhaps this mentality is part of the reason why the public education system is in the mess it’s in.
Dude – a back up plan ends for an ethical person when they secure employment. Particularly when their contract is for a 3 year duration.
Further, and as important, it is very hard to believe that another jurisdiction, with no ties to Bermuda, would be considering Heatley 3 years out.
Heatley needs to explain his status,if not done already.
We should all have more confidence in our Bermudians.
There are several qualified Bermudians that could easily perfomre the job of Commissioner. The question is whether they will leave their current posts to accept the position.
Lets hope that those qualiied to do so will ‘step into the gap’. Perhaps someone outside of the current Ministry Headquarters??
This guy should NEVER have been brought here in the 1st place and frankly,it’s time to send him on the next plane smokin’
there are more than enough fully qualified Bermudians that could a far better job than him.
If someone is shortlisted for a job, didn’t they have to apply? Dr. Heatley, are you playing games.
The structure of Education was created in the days of the INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION.
Bermuda needs a complete reset in how we inspire our kids to be creative.
TEST mad models of education are NOT the answer !
Follow our BLOG. It is EDUCATIONAL, ENLIGHTENING, INSPIRING.
http://ridethewavefoundation.blogspot.ca/
The ADMINISTRATION of PUBLIC EDUCATION in BERMUDA needs streamlining.
Education is about the Kids and Teachers in the classroom NOT a myriad of civil servants administering an old crumbling model….Give the Teachers the power. Let the kids have fun in school and bring their creativity to life….
Geoffrey Canada speaks to the Education dilemma !
http://www.ted.com/talks/geoffrey_canada_our_failing_schools_enough_is_enough?quote=2156
If he goes, I hope he spills all that is wrong with our education system and tells on all those who are just there as dead wood. We need a serious wake up call about all that goes on in the civil service and the best person give us a shake is someone who has nothing to lose and a home and job to go to elsewhere. As you know when a Bermudian shakes up the system, he or she ostracized from the community, a foreigner has nothing to lose.
Why, why hasn’t Mr. Harley been asked to comment? Surely that’s the place to get answers instead of all this speculation. For all we know, he applied after all the controversy as a contingency plan in case the nay Sayers got him kicked out. Does he still want this job he’s been short listed for? That would be the first question we need to ask. Them we deal with the rest, like confidence in what he’s trying to do, if he’s staying (our children seem to be experiencing considerable success lately… Or maybe we are just getting more reports); or what the penalties are for breaking his contract if he plans to leave… And I hope they are severe. Our children are too precious to pay around with like this.
@Pastor Syl….the lack of comment isn’t a case of not asking.
We sought comment via email before we even posted the article & we also attended the Department’s office in person trying to get a comment.
As you can see we have not been successful yet, but hopefully we will get clarification and be able to update!
Sorry, but he is under no obligation to tell us whether he intends to be interviewed after making the short-list. Because it’s on his time.
Whether we feel betrayed by his dual actions, he is still entitled to apply for, and go through the entire interviewing process, it’s his life and professional career. Whether he wants the position or not, he will play his hand close to his chest, if only to minimise the backlash, but then he is accustom to controversy.
If he gets the position, the fact that it is transparent how he went about seeking and/or advancing his interest in this position gives the upper hand to those who stepped out of a limb to employ him in Bermuda, in spite of his reputation of being very controversy. In their defence, I bet they did not see this type of controversy coming.
If he does want the job and does get the job, let him go. Just clawback every penny spent to bring him here including our parting ‘bonus’ for his ‘voluntary service’ in Bermuda as the Education Commissioner. In other words, his time in Bermuda should be concluded ‘without any compensation for his service.’ And Bermuda will give him a glowing reference.
The interviewing panel now need to put a contingency plan in place, post haste.
London, England
FINAL EDIT
Sorry, but he is under no obligation to tell us whether he intends to be interviewed after making the short-list. Because it’s on his time.
Whether we feel betrayed by his dual actions, he is still entitled to apply for, and go through the entire interviewing process, it’s his life and professional career. Whether he wants the position or not, he will play his hand close to his chest, if only to minimise the backlash, but then he is accustom to controversy.
If he gets the position, the fact that it is transparent how he went about seeking and/or advancing his interest in this position gives the upper hand to those who stepped out of a limb to employ him in Bermuda, in spite of his reputation of being very controversial. In their defence, I bet they did not see this type of controversy coming.
If he does want the job and does get the job, let him go. Just clawback every penny spent to bring him here including our parting ‘bonus’ of his ‘voluntary service’ in Bermuda as the Education Commissioner. In other words, his time in Bermuda should be concluded ‘without any compensation for his service.’ And Bermuda will give him a glowing reference.
The interviewing panel now need to put a contingency plan in place, post haste.
London, England
Sorry, that should be Dr. Heatley. These automatic word finishers are a pain sometimes
Since we are talking about EDUCATION….
Lets get EDUCATED !
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEJ_ATgrnnY
Donald Clark was CEO and one of the original founders of Epic Group plc, which established itself as the leading company in the UK e-learning market, floated on the Stock Market in 1996 and sold in 2005. Describing himself as ‘free from the tyranny of employment’, he is a board member of Ufi, Cogbooks, LearningPool and the Brighton Arts Festival.
Donald has been involved in major film, games, simulations, social media and mobile projects. He is an evangelist for the use of technology in learning and has won many awards, notably the ‘Outstanding Achievement in e-learning Award’. He has advised on e-learning for many global, public and private organisations, and is a regular speaker at national and international conferences…… also a regular (and controversial) blogger on e-learning!
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)
EDUCATE yourselves !
Bermuda: SIR KEN ROBINSON is held up my many as the man who has sparked a revolution in Education
Sir Ken Robinson makes an entertaining and profoundly moving case for creating an education system that nurtures (rather than undermines) creativity.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG9CE55wbtY
This is also worth watching
Ken Robinson: How to escape education’s death valley
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wX78iKhInsc
Finally:
This RSA Animate was adapted from a talk given at the RSA by Sir Ken Robinson, world-renowned education and creativity expert
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZFcDGpL4U
Finland has the best education system in the world !
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0__9s3A2pcA
Sir Ken Robinson says we need a REVOLUTION in EDUCATION
iPhones Google iPad Smartphones did not exist 10 years ago (Google was only just starting to figure out the Google search model and how to monetize it in 2002/2003)
The Future will see change come at an even faster rate, most driven by technology!
EDUCATION is the key to the future ….
“Civilization is a race between education and catastrophe” – HG Wells !
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnvkitAFwlM#t=99
If u want someone committed to Bermudian students hire a Bermudian and Valerie makes an excellent point- how did he pass the interview process with leg out the door to the US and his record that a simple Google search would avail. Outrageous. I suspect he will be out of a job soon. Poor form.
There are many jobs Bermudians – not enough or not enough qualified to do here but that was not one NOR was the head of the BDA Lund is gone and a Bermudian should have that job. And I dare to say head of Tourism Authority should be Bdn too…let’s see how that works out.
Lets fire him before he can resign, how about that. And say what most bosses say when they have no real reason for firing someone, ‘ he just wasn’t working out’ and get our money back.
Finding a NEW head (Bermudian or not) to lead a broken structure is not the answer…..
The system needs a complete overhaul.
I am totally satisfied that the Leader of The Bermuda Tourism Authority will be a big plus. The great thing is that the STRUCTURE of TOURISM has been changed…. Gone are the “YES MINISTER” crowd and some seat warming employees…..
EDUCATION needs a similar restructuring and Bermuda needs to make the hard choices like FINLAND did 40 years ago. I would rather emulate # 1 in the world…….
Our KIDS would love it if we did this and so will future generations of employers.
What I love in Bermuda is when “people at the top” in Government commission a report to analyze Education, Tourism, Healthcare etc…
How many reports were acted on in a real meaningful and positively disruptive way ? NONE….Too many people AT THE TOP (civil servants especially) see that they might have to alter course, change or possibly lose a job….SO report after report collects dust……THEN comes the OBA and they commission the S.A.G.E. report. S.A.G.E. gathers all the reports ever written and write the MOTHER of ALL REPORTS…..
and what do you all think will really happen ????
We are going to commission a report to find out why we are having so many reports? Sort of a reports report on the reports. There you go. explained.
http://georgiateachersspeakout.com/2013/08/26/educational-disaster-pending-in-bermuda-edmond-heatley-is-named-commissioner-of-education-lol/
One more example of Bermuda not trusting it’s own people to solve our own problems in our country.
Why should Mr. Heatley care about Bermuda; it’s not his country; if the speculation about him applying for another job is true; he will probably put his time in Bermuda on his resume and probably boast that he tried to put Bermuda’s natives on the right path; but they just could not take it in. When will we learn as a country to depend on ourselves to solve our country’s problems?
We never should have let our competition know what we were paying him !
Putting ANYONE in charge of a broken system is INSANE
EDUCATION is BROKEN….
WATCH THIS TEDx TALK
Terry Lister talks about a commitment to our children, then that requires a complete shakeup in Education from the Administration to the qualifications of the teachers (they should all have Masters degrees)
Finland is #1 in the world…..We should take lead from the BEST !
KIDS want to be INSPIRED……
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni75vIE4vdk
Education Leadership: Will Richardson at TEDxMelbourne
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ekcWQxgk3k
Follow this blog: http://ridethewavefoundation.blogspot.ca
Education is not a factory…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYq0JmMgBzw#t=183
Bermuda: we are hoping that Education becomes the most important thing for the future of our island nation.
http://ridethewavefoundation.blogspot.ca/
If you care about EDUCATION…..WATCH THIS….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni75vIE4vdk
More on need for change in education from Will Richardson
Posted: 15 Mar 2014 05:37 PM PDT
“If you want school to be test prep that’s fine, but please realize you don’t need schools any longer for test prep…(online) kids will get personalized self paced curriculum where they can pretty much get prepared for the test…I understand why we go for better…most of us are products of the system and we can relate to what better means…we have taken the same tests that our kids have taken and forgotten the same answers that our kids are going to forget as they go through school..We know the system…the system worked pretty well for a few decades…but right now this system is KILLING our kids. It is taking all the imagination, all the creativity, all the initiative, all the engagement right OUT of them”
“It is time now we stop trying to do schools better and we start trying to do them differently…schools in the form they were constructed are no longer relevant to our kids’ lives in terms of places to get information and knowledge. Information and knowledge are everywhere…we have to reenvision schools for a different purpose and that purpose is more meaningful, more important, more difficult in a lot of ways..schools for our kids have to be places of deep enquiry, where they are solving real world problems because they have a lot of problems that they will need to solve..places where we can help them find their passions and support those passions so that they can become the life long learners in this context that we all want them to be..and none of this is the stuff of test prep, all of that is the stuff of life prep”
“Do we want our kids being prepared for their futures by a system that hasn’t fundamentally changes in 125 years?..We have to take back this conversation about education from the businessmen and the politicians..and we have to scream to whoever is listening that test prep and learning are two very different things and one has been lost at the expense of the other right now and this is not acceptable for our kids…The system was built for a world that no longer exists”
Another TED talk about the need of reforming education to adapt to the many possibilities of the modern world by Will Richardson. He has been blogging about the intersection of social online learning networks and education for the past 10 years. He is a former public school educator for 22 years, and is a co-founder of Powerful Learning Practice, a unique long-term, job-embedded professional development program that has mentored over 3,500 teachers worldwide in the last four years. Extremely interesting and inspiring talk, please take the time to watch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni75vIE4vdk