We just finished watching the incredible documentary "Waiting for Superman". A film about the massive problems in our country's public school system and the people who are working diligently to fix these unbelievable challenges. It is a very important film to see. The children in our country are being shortchanged in a terrible, shocking way. They have their futures before them but when entering the public school system, their potential is most often all but forgotten and their own opinion (which I feel matters more than anything!) is not even given a thought! This wonderful documentary confronts these major problems in a sensitive and personal way.
Every child should be given the opportunity to learn and to achieve the things that inspire them, that give them light and encouragement. If the education that is offered to them is lacking soul and sensitivity to the child's true interests and dreams, then it is not good enough. I have always felt that children don't need to be taught as much as they need to be heard. If we were to give children the opportunity to tell us what they want to learn, what things inspire them and move them, learning would be totally different! If we were to stand aside and let the incredible light that is shining so brightly within every child....lead us to facilitate their needs rather than force our "requirements" upon them, children and teachers and everyone involved in this "happy" learning project would be truely be HAPPY! Afterall, the education is for the children! It is supposed to be for them! They should have a say in what they want to learn, how they want to learn it....when, where, etc. When I think of this kind of learning, I see children so much more excited about school, so much more involved and especially.....I know they would have more fun! They are children! So they should be having fun....and so should the teachers and the principals and the cooks and the bus drivers; everyone involved should be able to have a happy, positive and inspiring experience in a school. School should not be something people think of as drudgery, unhappiness, a duty, a committment, a chore. Learning should be a wonderful and exciting thing when you are young and all throughout your life.
This documentary talks about the realities and disappointments and challenges in our educational system that totally seem unsurmountable, but it also gives hope and most importantly.....shows us what has to be done to help children and adults so that learning can be better for everyone. It is one of the most important documentaries on education! Truthful, heartwrenching and real....it will open your eyes and your heart....to think more about the life of a child!
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