Revolution

Chris Edwards is a social studies teacher at Fishers High School.  He also works closely with universities, state legislators, and educational organizations to provide teacher training opportunities.

As a student of history, Chris is convinced that education is at a turning point.  He makes the argument below that we are in a time of revolution, and now, more than ever, is the time for educators to shape the vision of the future.

From Chris: There is Only One Word for It

Sometimes revolutions don’t look all that revolutionary. Revolutions sometimes come about not because of any massive uprising against a system but instead because of a gradual removal of key restrictions, the evolution of new technology, the slow development of a research-based consensus, and the vision of a small number of early practitioners who are willing to begin work in new fields of knowledge. Hindsight only makes it possible to see that a series of connected factors actually made a change so radical that the word “revolution” applies.

Revolutions are not always a massive uprising, bur rather arise
from a series of connected factors.

This was the case with the Scientific Revolution of the 17^th century and it is likely the case in education right now. In the Scientific Revolution, a few “natural philosophers” began to trust the results of their experiments over the authority of the ancients, they published in an environment of relatively free speech with the relatively new printing press, shared ideas, and created a new vision for what could be accomplished using their new methods.

A revolution in education: Teachers can create a vision and
realize it to the benefit of students and other teachers.

This same process is now occurring in education. Research has indicated, time and again, that the individual proficiency of teachers is the key for improving student learning. Teachers are beginning to trust they can build curricula that is superior to what has been created by the people at the textbook-and-workbook companies. Hamilton Southeastern School District is building in time for teachers to collaborate and develop classroom-ready curricula. Universities are changing the way that incoming teachers are prepared. Legislatures are removing requirements for textbook adoption processes and the DOE is creating an open-source network (you will be hearing more about this) so that teachers can create a body of work that we can add to and benefit from. Teachers can create a vision and realize it to the benefit of students and we can help each other in the process.

Join the Revolution!
Email Chris for details and to register.
There is no cost for HSE teachers to participate.

Connect all of these factors and we see a change in the image of a teacher. For too long, teachers have been seen as passive instruments who implement visions created by people outside of the classroom. The new image of the teacher is of someone who defines and shapes a vision individually and a field collectively from the classroom outward.

That’s a change so radical that there’s only one word for it. 

Respond to Chris at cedwards@hse.k12.in.us

As Chris states so eloquently, we are in a time of change. As you enter this week, take time to consider the opportunities you have to shape the future of education.  How will you join the revolution?  We think you will find that these opportunities and options are both a little frightening and incredibly exciting.

Have a great week, HSE.  Continue your work of changing the world!

Your HSE Teaching and Learning Team

• Jan Combs, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning
• Stephanie Loane, Director of Elementary Education
• Tom Bell, Director of Special Education
• Jeff Harrison, Director of Educational Technology
• Phil Lederach, Director of Secondary Education