The topics discussed in episode 4 are near and dear to our hearts. As Mike discussed in episode 1, children are incredibly vulnerable. After reflecting on this statement, we realized how important this issue is and decided to identify how children are vulnerable and what we can do to bring about change. In the first of a five-part series, we discuss the mixed messages that kids receive at school and how this not only makes them vulnerable, but also impacts their humanity. We shed light on the toll that the school environment has on teachers, who love to teach, but are leaving the profession because of the norms that have persisted inside schools for so long. Even though this episode goes deep and might even be uncomfortable, it will inform, motivate, and inspire you to create educational change in your corner of the world. 

Quotes

Nelson Mandela said “We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in any society, a life free from violence and fear.”

“Revolutions don’t wait for legislation. They emerge from what people do at the ground level. Education doesn’t happen in the committee rooms of the legislatures or in the rhetoric of politicians. It’s what goes on between learners and teachers in actual schools. If you’re a teacher, for your students you are the system. If you’re a school principal, for your community, you are the system. If you’re a policy maker, for the schools you control, you are the system.” So, if you are a parent or an aunt, or a grandparent, who has kids in school – you are the system and together, we can create change.” (Robinson, p. xxiii). Robinson, K. (2015) Creative Schools: The Grassroots Revolution That’s Transforming Education New York, NY: Penguin Books

 Norm: Kids receive mixed messages that make them feel like submission to authority is more important than their own humanity.  

Existing Belief: I need to use my position as an adult to control the behavior and desires of children.

New Belief: My job as an adult/teacher/coach/mentor is to see the unique value in each child and bring out the best in them.  

Existing Belief: My adult perspective and needs are more important than those of children because I am older and I know better.  

New Belief: A kid's perspective is equally important and we, as adults, can learn a lot from children.  

According to Mike, this is the “golden episode” because it addresses the issues that put our very humanity at risk. The topics covered here may be difficult to discuss, and they may force us to think about things we would rather brush under the carpet, but we believe that they must be brought to the forefront for our human race to thrive. Mike and Esther discuss the hard realities of school shootings and the impact this has on teachers and leaders. They also highlight the great work that is being done by children and adults, and how they are changing the world by valuing the humanity of others. Mike and Esther also discuss how the Drake Academy of Excellence is shifting existing systems and deeply embedded societal norms to provide a better model of education and leadership. 

Although this episode forces you to face the realities of what is happening in schools, it will also inspire you to hear the stories of those who are on a mission to bring humanity to this world!

Quotes

Dalai Lama said “Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive.”

“My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together.” Desmond Tutu

Martin Luther King Jr. said “We need leaders not in love with money but in love with justice. Not in love with publicity, but in love with humanity.”

According to Education Week, there were 29 school shootings in 2021, 87 since 2018, that’s 60 deaths.

3 Key Takeaways

1 – Today, it seems that just raising our kids morally and ethically doesn’t mean that they won’t be a victim of senseless violence. We need more people to do the work they are passionate about to help society. We each need to ask ourselves what we can do to help.

2 – Rather than training teachers to prepare for and carry out lock down drills, we need to look at the root cause of these behaviors and get ahead of the problem. One way to do this is to prioritize the basic human needs of those in our schools - the need to feel acceptance, value, purpose, and meaning. 

3 – Trust in the ripple! It only takes one person to make a difference, and that one person can touch another, and that person, another, and before you know it, many people are impacted. Our society needs to prioritize the humanity of ourselves and of those we encounter. 

NORMS:

1st NORM: School Shootings have become somewhat commonplace and don’t surprise us much anymore. 

MENTAL SHIFT:

Existing belief: People who act out deserve to be treated how they make me feel.

New Belief: The poor behavior of others gives me an opportunity to meet their essential human needs. 

2nd NORM: Teachers and students participating in lock down drills as a part of any regular school day. 

MENTAL SHIFT:

Existing belief: Having a human reaction to what I am asked to do as a teacher is too much work. Nothing phases me anymore.

New belief: My human response is the most valuable quality I possess. 

In this episode, Mike and Esther dive into the common issues seen in education and leadership and how each problem moved them to action. By acknowledging the importance of humanity and the role that it plays in shifting our systems, this episode will take you from the realities of today into the hope of a better future for children, teachers, and leaders. 

3 Key Takeaways

1 – There is danger in remaining silent. In the absence of conversation, people make assumptions and become complacent. When it comes to the issues we face today, we cannot afford to be silent. We must take action. 

2 – Complacency hinders growth.

3 – The environment that our children are immersed in is impacting everyone, even if we are teaching values and morals at home.

In this very first episode, Esther and Michael dive into the stories behind their why. First, Esther kicks it off with the story behind the Drake Academy of Excellence and where the dream for this school first started. She also identifies some important lessons in humanity that she learned over the years and how they have influenced her perspective and desire to prioritize humanity, especially in education. In part two, Michael shares his passion for others and identifies the events in his life that called him to a life of service. He also discusses what he is doing to impact the lives of those who can be overlooked and marginalized – the young people in our communities. This episode will not only inspire you; it will help you to know that you are not alone in your desire for change and will give you the fuel that you need to keep moving forward!

Key Takeaways

Part I: Esther
Lessons in humanity

1-    Everyone has value and our differences make us better!

2-   With great blessings comes the responsibility to help as many people as you can.

3-   As human beings, we are not designed to be idle or to become stagnant, we are made to live our purpose and experience meaning.

4-   Do what you’re called to do and what you’re passionate about and don’t let anyone stop you from fulfilling your purpose.

Part II: Michael

1-    Children are vulnerable today.  I want to let them know that they matter, that they have value, and that they’re not alone. 

2-   The issues children face outside of school are now penetrating school walls and they are impacting our kids in a negative way.

3-   We, as humans, are called to be there for these kids, to advocate for them, and to listen to them. 

Part III:
This podcast will be: 

Honest: First, we want this podcast to be an honest reflection of what teachers, leaders, and children are feeling.

Meaningful: In every episode, we look at the practices and mindsets we see in schools and organizations, and identify how we need to shift our thinking.

Humanity Driven: We all have fundamental human needs – the need to experience connection, purpose, acceptance, and value. We will identify the problems in schools and organizations and discuss how they are directly related to us not experiencing these fundamental human needs. 

Challenging and Inspiring: This podcast is for those who want to be pushed and for those who have become disillusioned with the way that education and leadership are done. We hear you and we are here for you.  

Action Oriented: We all know that it’s one thing to talk about the issues and how we can change them, it’s quite another to push up our sleeves and do the work. So, we are really excited to highlight what we’re doing at the Drake Academy of Excellence to create a new model for education and leadership that is focused on human development and that not only changes existing systems, but works for teachers, parents, leaders, and students.