For those of you who don't know, Colorado is currently undergoing a massive educational reform (or, at least it's trying). Here are some scary statistics (and if you don't believe me, look 'em up): *The average cost of educating one child annually is nearly $13,000 *District 11 (here, in Colorado Springs) is suffering from a lack …
Creating Inspired Adults, Not Worker Bees
I'm currently taking the class Frameworks in American Education with Mike Taber (who is incredible, by the way). Today we brought up the idea of the new paradigm. That is, we discussed in class possible paper ideas where we propose a shift or change in the American educational system. One of the ideas that came up …
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Shumei International Institute
The Shumei International Institute is a spiritual center founded on the philosophy of Mokichi Okada that people are world citizens able to act for the common good. Although simplified, the way I understood the institute is a celebration of beauty to make the world a better place. The architecture is amazing. Clean, simple lines enhance …
A Bad Word
There is not a problem with the idea of nonviolence; there is a problem with the word “nonviolence.” The definition is flat and does not encompass what nonviolence truly is. Let’s break down the word. The prefix “non” means “no” or “not doing.” The word “violence” is defined by Webster dictionary as “behavior involving physical …
Wrapping Up
As we rapidly enter into fourth week, brains full of newly learned information and minds looking forward to break, I would like to take a moment to reflect upon what I believe to be the largest discovery our class has realized thus far. Although I mentioned in my last blog it seemed an unspoken understanding …
Page Turner
One afternoon I make it my mission to explore Oxford’s libraries. This is easily imagined but less easily done because there are no fewer than one hundred libraries in the city. They range from the massive and historical Bodleian--which is legally entitled to a copy of every book published in England--to private libraries in each …
Peter’s Bike Clinic
We cram into cars and head to Peter’s Bicycle Clinic. The directions head down Cascade. Turn right. Turn right again. Little did I know we were heading to another world. Walking into Peter’s bike shop, the first thing I notice are the walls of positivity. Handmade signs remind me to smile. The décor of optimism …
Successful End to Week Two of Discovering the Unconscious
I am writing to you from the end of the second week of 'Discovering the Unconscious'. I think I may be able to anticipate your first question - have we delved deep into that mysterious thing locked within our selves and emerged alive gripping the slippery key which unlocks the rusty doors into the untapped …
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Meeting With a Killer
An amazing class cannot always be lighthearted, and today it took a turn. It was not a bad turn, but one that challenged us mentally and emotionally. Yesterday, we read about restorative justice, a series of additive or alternative strategies to the current judicial system. It involved looking into the hurt that was felt rather …
Art and Peace
One of the many exciting classes offered by Colorado College is called the Foundations of Nonviolence, taught by Evan Weissman as well as many extraordinary speakers. It began as a gentle introduction, an explanation to what violence and nonviolence both were, and their effects. By the end of the first day Evan had almost the …
