My philosophy, expanded
My philosophy on education and, in many ways, life in general, is summarized here (as well as on my philosophy page)
Principle #1 : Strong relationships meets basic needs and allows experimentation and risk taking
Principle #2 : Curiosity and interest drive engagement
Principle #3 : What is learned is a function of opportunity, experimentation and observation, motivation, and time
Principle #4 : Children are among the most excellent learners on the planet.
Except for principle #4, I think of these principles as applying to all people, including children. When I think of all humans, I do think we are uniquely adept and reflecting and adapting to change given certain mindsets, structures, and behaviors that we engage in, regardless of whether or not we are children.
I have come to believe very strongly in the power of first principles. In essence, first principles are fundamental ideas from which all other ideas and practices derive from. I have identified the above principles as my first principles when it comes to education spaces, and they are subject to change based on ongoing experiences, reflections, and interactions with others. The first principles of all first principles is one I have not yet quite identified - and that’s ok. I’ll know it when I feel it.
The importance for me in thinking from first principles is the clarity of thought it can provide as well as the courage to stand up to what is considered “the norm” when “the norm” is perhaps based on first principles that are oppressive and dangerous. These first principles provide me with an anchor on what direction to move towards when considering my teaching practice and the overall structure of the school I direct at the time of this writing.
But yes, my invitation and provocation to all of you is to consider what YOUR first principles are (perhaps they’re the same or different from mine). Or, perhaps you agree with the above, but you find other first principals even more fundamental. How have your actions on the individual and organizational level aligned or mis-aligned with these principles and what can we do about it?
