EDUCATION BASED ON SPIRITUALITY PURPEL HUEBNER LERNER

THAT WHICH TRANSCENDS THE KNOWN THE SPIRIT IS: WHAT HAPPENS TO US AS THE BOUNDARIES OF THE SELF GIVE WAY THAT WHICH TRANSCENDS THE KNOWN THE “MORENESS THAT TAKES US BY SURPRISE WHEN WE ARE AT THE EDGE OF OUR KNOWING

MAJOR GOALS HELP STUDENTS ALONG ON THEIR ULTIMATE JOURNEY OF THE SOUL DEVELOP “AWE AND WONDER” IN STUDENTS FULFILL OUR HUMAN RESPONSIBILITY TO WORK FOR THE ELIMINATION OF HUMAN SUFFERING

MAJOR PREMESES/THEORIES DRIVING EDUCATIONAL DECISIONS

THIS IS THE UNIVERSE

THIS IS THE UNIVERSE THIS IS US

EDUCATION: WAY OF ATTENDING TO AND CARING FOR THE JOURNEY OF THE SELF WE ARE NEVER COMPLETE UNTIL DEATH EDUCATION: WAY OF ATTENDING TO AND CARING FOR THE JOURNEY OF THE SELF

GOAL OF EDUCATION SHOULD NOT BE: Marketability

Marketability Joy of learning GOAL OF EDUCATION SHOULD NOT BE: SHOULD FOCUS ON: Marketability Joy of learning

EDUCATIONAL AIMS SHOULD CONNECT KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING WITH DEEPER COMMITMENT TO PURSUE LARGER GOOD BE GROUNDED IN “AGAPE” CREATE DIALOGUE THAT FOCUSES ON CONSIDERATION FOR THE END OF UNNECESSARY HUMAN SUFFERING

CONTENT

CONTENT QUESTIONS Not how people learn and develop Not what it will mean to students Not how do we motivate/what threats should we use What gets in way of journey of self? How will students be different because of it? How can we support them giving up old self to become new?

SHOULD BE THE “OTHER” AND RELATIONSHIP WITH IT

“OTHER” Human Beings Because they are different, they are possibilities for me Can choose to alter self and future Sources of criticism and new possibility Conversation with “other” provides opportunity to refine how students see the world and to participate in how “others” see theirs

Nature as “OTHER” Cannot view nature as resource and commodity

Knowledge we seek to teach: Cultivates ability to love and be loved Deeply connected w/presence of Spirit Creates understanding of how world needs to be healed and best way to do so **ALL LINKED TO INTIMACY AND ACTION

WHAT ABOUT CONTENT AREAS?

K-6: Significant time in natural settings Need combination of free play and instruction on seeing grandeur of universe Science taught through experimentation with nature In class time: much free time to wander rooms providing opportunity for wide range of activities

SCIENCE Much use of experimental method: trying different approaches assessing outcomes making decisions based on evidence proceeding based on those decisions

HISTORY AND LITERATURE Every person’s story is worth telling Must represent those who have been marginalized

ARTS Must show art and teach art that displays desire for social justice

OTHER CONTENT ITEMS Teach about religion and spiritual traditions from advocates, not from those who are neutral Teach tensions and stresses of parents Teach that everything in this world can be transformed, and students are the agents for that change (lovingly critical attitude)

BECOME A SPIRITUAL BEING