Comments on: The Outlier Finds His Element http://blog.duarte.com/2009/04/the-outlier-finds-his-element/ Duarte Blog Sun, 05 Sep 2010 10:12:07 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Robin Wagganer http://blog.duarte.com/2009/04/the-outlier-finds-his-element/comment-page-1/#comment-1346 Robin Wagganer Sun, 31 May 2009 05:25:47 +0000 http://blog.duarte.com/?p=2921#comment-1346 I'm so happy for your children, and must congratulate you as parents for not trying to force Anthony into the wrong hole. Every peg fits in somewhere. Perhaps Rachel will learn from her brother's experience as well, and along with so many others cheering for change in our public schools, she may actually be able to help create that change from the inside. Our public schools do indeed work to eliminate creativity. The instruction is still primarily based on the turn of the century when creative thinkers were frowned upon - they did not conveniently learn the basics of running farms, working in mines and jobs requiring highly repetitive skills. 25 years ago, we noticed it, and some things have improved, but what a slow painful process! Imagine if corporations moved as slow... the technology would not be available for me to be working here on my wifi enabled laptop interacting on a global level. I’m so happy for your children, and must congratulate you as parents for not trying to force Anthony into the wrong hole. Every peg fits in somewhere. Perhaps Rachel will learn from her brother’s experience as well, and along with so many others cheering for change in our public schools, she may actually be able to help create that change from the inside.

Our public schools do indeed work to eliminate creativity. The instruction is still primarily based on the turn of the century when creative thinkers were frowned upon – they did not conveniently learn the basics of running farms, working in mines and jobs requiring highly repetitive skills. 25 years ago, we noticed it, and some things have improved, but what a slow painful process! Imagine if corporations moved as slow… the technology would not be available for me to be working here on my wifi enabled laptop interacting on a global level.

]]> By: Ed Brenegar http://blog.duarte.com/2009/04/the-outlier-finds-his-element/comment-page-1/#comment-1256 Ed Brenegar Thu, 07 May 2009 02:18:11 +0000 http://blog.duarte.com/?p=2921#comment-1256 When my oldest son was in first grade, he asked if he could learn at home. As a result, each of our kids have been homeschooled, and each is unique in their interests and their purpose in life. During his 13th and 14th year, he wrote an alternative history of World War II. He's now out of college preparing to teach English in South Korea for a year while working on his first real novel. Our other son is studying audio engineering and physics with a desire to create live sound audio equipment. My daughter whose in high school wants to be a philanthropist and help children. We've already agreed that I'll work for her. The traditional education approach would never have provided them the context to discover their passion. The story of your son is heartwarming because he is like so many of the kids I've known who didn't fit into a standardize program. Yet, when given the right context, they thrive. This reminds me a 9 year kid I know who has ASD, and whose imagination is off the chart. In an off-hand comment to his mother, I said "Zander needs to blog." He began the next weekend, and his stories are marvelous. And he found affirmation for his gifts that was missing from his normal everyday experience. If our children can find a place to follow their passions, then adults can do the same. And that is one of the great challenges that we face. How to help those so impacted by the old confining system to break free to discover their life's true calling, regardless of what age they are. Thanks for sharing your story. When my oldest son was in first grade, he asked if he could learn at home. As a result, each of our kids have been homeschooled, and each is unique in their interests and their purpose in life. During his 13th and 14th year, he wrote an alternative history of World War II. He’s now out of college preparing to teach English in South Korea for a year while working on his first real novel. Our other son is studying audio engineering and physics with a desire to create live sound audio equipment. My daughter whose in high school wants to be a philanthropist and help children. We’ve already agreed that I’ll work for her. The traditional education approach would never have provided them the context to discover their passion. The story of your son is heartwarming because he is like so many of the kids I’ve known who didn’t fit into a standardize program. Yet, when given the right context, they thrive. This reminds me a 9 year kid I know who has ASD, and whose imagination is off the chart. In an off-hand comment to his mother, I said “Zander needs to blog.” He began the next weekend, and his stories are marvelous. And he found affirmation for his gifts that was missing from his normal everyday experience.
If our children can find a place to follow their passions, then adults can do the same. And that is one of the great challenges that we face. How to help those so impacted by the old confining system to break free to discover their life’s true calling, regardless of what age they are.
Thanks for sharing your story.

]]> By: Gregg Stokes http://blog.duarte.com/2009/04/the-outlier-finds-his-element/comment-page-1/#comment-1244 Gregg Stokes Tue, 05 May 2009 18:01:45 +0000 http://blog.duarte.com/?p=2921#comment-1244 My daughter was the Emerson Scholarship winner at Interlochen last year. It is a great school. Sir Ken is a genius and has articulated what we most of us have known all along, that most true innovation and creativity cannot be molded into conforming with the masses. Whether is be education, religion or presentations. The willingness to pursue unorthodox ideas is the foundation of greatness. Institutions have to cater to the masses and be beholden to all. When a square peg arrives, you either squash off the corners and fit him in, or you let them go to a place where square is celebrated. Bravo... My daughter was the Emerson Scholarship winner at Interlochen last year. It is a great school. Sir Ken is a genius and has articulated what we most of us have known all along, that most true innovation and creativity cannot be molded into conforming with the masses. Whether is be education, religion or presentations. The willingness to pursue unorthodox ideas is the foundation of greatness. Institutions have to cater to the masses and be beholden to all. When a square peg arrives, you either squash off the corners and fit him in, or you let them go to a place where square is celebrated. Bravo…

]]> By: Chris Santos http://blog.duarte.com/2009/04/the-outlier-finds-his-element/comment-page-1/#comment-1235 Chris Santos Sat, 02 May 2009 06:00:32 +0000 http://blog.duarte.com/?p=2921#comment-1235 As an educator and now administrator, I read The Element and shouted, "Yes!" I overwhelmed my wife, also a teacher, with a diatribe on how education should be. Creating schools that are not built on the fast-food model but rather on the idea that creativity can lead to success requires a commitment by society to want this kind of change! Instead, legislatures pile on more stuff to the curriculum thinking it will make our kids better prepared to pass standardized tests. In reality, many of our children leave school bored and unsatisfied. I am happy that your son found his "Element!" As an educator and now administrator, I read The Element and shouted, “Yes!” I overwhelmed my wife, also a teacher, with a diatribe on how education should be. Creating schools that are not built on the fast-food model but rather on the idea that creativity can lead to success requires a commitment by society to want this kind of change! Instead, legislatures pile on more stuff to the curriculum thinking it will make our kids better prepared to pass standardized tests. In reality, many of our children leave school bored and unsatisfied. I am happy that your son found his “Element!”

]]> By: Meryl K. Evans http://blog.duarte.com/2009/04/the-outlier-finds-his-element/comment-page-1/#comment-1231 Meryl K. Evans Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:30:26 +0000 http://blog.duarte.com/?p=2921#comment-1231 That is a perfect example of what makes this story, Animal School, so true: http://www.raisingsmallsouls.com/ I am struggling to find one of my kid's "sweet spot." His biggest passion is sports cars. Not exactly a school subject like music. That is a perfect example of what makes this story, Animal School, so true:

http://www.raisingsmallsouls.com/

I am struggling to find one of my kid’s “sweet spot.” His biggest passion is sports cars. Not exactly a school subject like music.

]]> By: Graham Westwood http://blog.duarte.com/2009/04/the-outlier-finds-his-element/comment-page-1/#comment-1223 Graham Westwood Sat, 25 Apr 2009 16:31:30 +0000 http://blog.duarte.com/?p=2921#comment-1223 Wonderful post Nancy. The Ken Robinson TED talk is one I play over and over again for friends and colleagues. Truth is that schools cannot do this alone and perhaps never could. Wonderful post Nancy. The Ken Robinson TED talk is one I play over and over again for friends and colleagues. Truth is that schools cannot do this alone and perhaps never could.

]]> By: Dan the Music Master http://blog.duarte.com/2009/04/the-outlier-finds-his-element/comment-page-1/#comment-1222 Dan the Music Master Sat, 25 Apr 2009 10:05:12 +0000 http://blog.duarte.com/?p=2921#comment-1222 I also believe that you receive results from kids by giving them positive input. So many of the successful students that I teach have good study habits and tremendous parental support. I also believe that you receive results from kids by giving them positive input. So many of the successful students that I teach have good study habits and tremendous parental support.

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