Reflecting on the Irony of A
An introduction to our ed blog
Recently, our school engaged in a strategic planning process, something organizations do to examine their approach, adapt, and respond to changes and needs, and ensure their longevity and future. But healthy schools are not the only ones in a constant state of inquiry. We, as educators, also continually self-reflect on our actions, impact, and raison d’etre. We have the responsibility of helping to develop young people who own their power to enrich their lives and the lives of others, and the way this happens isn’t a science. Our theories change as our world, communities, and students change. We grow as we test concepts; we learn from others and from ourselves.
That’s why we created this blog. Whether we are debating the merits of grades or sharing concerns about school access and education injustice, we hope this platform can serve as a space to reflect, share ideas, tell stories of triumph and failure, and lift up the perception of education as more than a quantity of facts and scores. We created this blog in recognition of the Quaker idea that the wisdom of a group is greater than that of any one individual, and listening to a broad range of voices opens the way to growth and discovery.
The title, Irony of A — a reference to the debate in education about the value of giving grades — is simply intended to cue the kinds of critical thinking we hope to present in this blog. We want to emphasize the importance of challenging assumptions in education, and we encourage readers to recognize that education is complicated and lopsided, ever-changing and temperamental, and not always what it seems. We want this to be a place where we think together, ask questions, and reflect on the key dilemmas we face as educators — politically, economically, socially, and civically. With this blog, and our shared voices, we hope the perception of education can improve as the understanding of its challenges and strengths are lifted up; as the stories of its children are told and felt; and as the innovative, warm voices of its educators are applauded and shared to inspire others.
Thank you for reading and please send ideas to help promote equality, integrity, and community in education. We hope to include posts on diversity and inclusion, emotional intelligence, college-readiness, early childhood, curriculum, student-led initiatives, research and design, community engagement — anything you feel should have a voice and merits reflection — we hope to share the words of anyone who wants to inspire and catalyze. Whether your words are ironic, poetic, symbolic, data-driven, or amplified through pictures or video, please share so that our teaching and learning continues to grow.
by Dana Weeks, Head of School, Germantown Friends School
About Germantown Friends School
Founded in 1845, Germantown Friends School is a Quaker independent day school for students in grades ECP-12, located in the historic neighborhood of Germantown in Northwestern Philadelphia. Dedicated to reaching that of God in every person, our mission is to seek truth, challenge the intellect, honor differences, embrace the city, and nurture each student’s mind, body and spirit. For more information, visit germantownfriends.org.
