Journal 3

Richard Villa
“Reconstructing for a Caring and Effective Education”

Richard Villa gave a compelling and inspiring presentation about the future of education. He spoke of need for all of our students to gain independence, generosity, belonging and mastery. He spoke about how schools should belong to everyone not just teachers or administrators, but to the students and community as well. I particularly liked his statement about needing to educating students to be humane individuals over students who are just proficient in academics. The last group of students to be desegregated into our schools has been students with special needs. He stressed the need to create a “Culture of Artistry” in our schools where students are encouraged to use their hands, head, heart and soul.

I was already looking forward to attending the credential program here because of the COE’s commitment to social justice, multiculturalism and the high caliber of instructors I have encountered thus far. After Richard Villa’s speech, I am even more confident in my decision to work with the special education program. Their philosophy about education is very much inline with my own in regards to the need to work with the whole student and foster positive growth physically, emotionally, and socially before any academic growth can be accomplished.

What is the goal of education?
My answer to this question was for us as teachers to guide our students in becoming happy, healthy and successful individuals.

How do we create a culture of Care and Artistry in our schools?
I feel this can be accomplished by making sure we are meeting all of our students needs and by not focusing just on academics. We need to focus on the student as a whole person. Striking a balance between mastery, generosity, independence, belonging and by always respecting our students and their needs.