By ‘spiritual’ I am referring to a belief in a reality beyond the senses – whether theistic or not – that provides a framework or horizon of significance giving direction to life. Canadian contemporary philosopher Charles Taylor’s views on the secular age and individualism help to contextualize why we need wise, spiritual leaders in a..
Author: adrienne - page 8
As founders of internationally recognized communities (L’Arche and The Catholic Worker), Vanier and Day teach leaders how to build community by valuing the human person no matter their background or beliefs, abilities or disabilities, wealth, prestige, poverty or insignificance. Both leaders see unity and the possibility of integration in a pluralistic world. We might readily..
Canadian philosopher and humanitarian Jean Vanier (1928-) is the founder of 149 L’Arche homes in 38 countries around the world.[i] In these homes people with intellectual disabilities (the residents) live and work side by side with the nondisabled (their assistants) as peers in “mutually transformative relationships.” Jean Vanier emphasizes the great discovery of his life,..
On its website the Justice Institute recommends the following 10 ways to indigenize the curriculum: Acknowledge the local First Nations traditional territory Use experiential, and lifelong learning approaches Work with Elders and infuse culture into curriculum Visit Indigenous communities for field trips, events, and feasts Use the oral tradition, telling stories, with guest speakers such..
This quote from Clay Shirky recently caught my attention: I would suggest that we are all in this process of trying to figure out how to work simply. In a blog post by Jay Baer, I found a review of Clay Shirky’s (2011) book Cognitive Surplus. In his review he states: “As I see it, the..
Teachers have power! Students have power! The dynamic interplay between these in a learning environment can create a positive, safe and authentic experience, or one wrought with tension, confusion and ‘second guessing’. Part of preparing to be an adult educator is being aware of your power as well as the power among students, and between students and..
The mandate to integrate Indigenous principles and ways of knowing into the curriculum is a call to personal research; an ongoing learning journey requiring persistence and patience. We are all going to be works in progress in this! I have found it to be an emotional learning journey. I recall vividly the woman who stood..