Caution: New Genetically Modified Curriculum Just Around the Corner

The new curriculum is here at one school I work in. Along with it come new signs, slogans, catch phrases and educational techniques. These are slathered all over the counselor's office and in selected classrooms. In a well intentioned idea gone wild, several signs shaped as keys with power words such as Ownership!, Committment!, Failure leads to Success! actually resemble penises. A middle schooler pointed this out to me. I have seen too many such curriculums come and go over the years. In one school I used to work in, there was a sign on the inside of the door where many of the more cynical teachers ate lunch.

 

"Caution: You are entering the new thought zone. Any actions or words may be misconstrued and misinterpreted."

 

The sign told me that this particular group of seasoned teachers had been through numerous new curriculums, paradigm shifts and education reforms. They endured these patiently, gave them lip service and quietly did what they had always done.

 

The students often have a similar response to the jaded teachers. They endure it. Some take to the new jargon and integrate it a little into their lives. As a rule, however, they are unaffected and unimpressed.

 

At another school I work in there is a largish man named Antoine who functions as the school janitor, coach, playground supervisor. In his free time he plays on a semi-pro football team (he's that big). His arms are mostly covered with elaborate and vivid tattoos. Several times a year he grows his hair out. When it grows to nineteen inches he has it cut and donates it to "Locks of Love" which is a program that creates wigs for cancer patients.

 

Antoine and his wife have a large brood of children from previous marriages and "strays" they have taken in from other family members. Although some "professionals" might find Antoine a little heavy handed in his parenting style, the children know they are loved and accepted. The children call each brother and sister and fight like normal siblings over normal sibling stuff. They are family.

 

At recess Antoine plays football and catch with all of the children regardless of gender or ability. They flock to him like the proverbial pied piper. After some of my activities the other day we spontaneously decided to surround Antoine in a compliment circle. Each 3rd or 4th grader in turn gave Antoine a compliment and then when we are all done, they dogpiled him.

 

As I reflected on these two approaches to giving children the skills to deal with real life situations, I clearly had to choose Antoine over the new curriculum. It came down to a simple concept and one word: Authenticity.