I received an email from a colleague last night about my second blog posting. They asked for some clarification on what I meant by my second belief statement: "The current model of schooling found in most jurisdictions within North America has likely done the best job it can with our students but has reached its full potential."

This is an important one for me and I appreciate the request for clarification. Simply stated, I believe that our traditional model of schooling is limited in the effect that it can have on a student's education. I believe that we have done all we can with that model. We can't squeeze much more out of it. I believe that our reform efforts and energy should now be spent on looking for alternatives to that model.

I'll leave it at that and look forward to some response.

Cheers,

stephen hurley

Mr. Hurley poses fundamental questions that attempt to get at the root assumptions of his practice. Through the process of re-imagining and re-inventing his teaching practice, Mr. Hurley is modeling what is required in a paradigm shift that places emphasis on the educator as learner rather than teacher. It is not just students that learn in our classrooms.
To beginning teachers, Mr. Hurley’s act of challenging assumptions could serve as a testimonial that experience and/or expertise alone are not sufficient to bring about educational reform even though evidently he has plenty of both. What seems to matter more is his spirit of inquiry, of action research. There is risk in this activity because we don’t always like what our inquiry reveals about us or are practice. Perhaps the “deep-seated resistance to large-scale changes within our educational systems” is more a fear of what we discover about ourselves?

Mr. Hurley is setting out to create new professional knowledge and has invited us to participate in a very public way. I look forward to visiting again and becoming an assistant gardener!

I think your ideas are intriguing, and I agree with your "fundamental beliefs about education". One of your beliefs is that many people have a resistance to educational change. The biggest problem with this truth is that these people are accepting failure as an option for so many of our students. This is especially true for seventh and eighth graders, who are so vulnerable to failure. I am eager to read more about your program and how your students respond.

I read this posting, because I feel tied up in knots about education right now. Much to my excitement, Mr. Hurley's writing brought to life ideas from a class I am currently taking. Our latest readings included sections on different learning styles and multiple intelligences. I have placed a great deal of thought into incorporating these ideals into my classroom. Mr. Hurley has not only brought the chance to use multiple intellegences into his classroom, but has designed an entire school as a model. The student response seems to overwhelmingly positive. His educational beliefs are an inspiration.

It is refreshing to hear that teachers such as Mr. Hurley are willing to challenge current models of education as well as commit to principles of lifelong learning. I have to say that I am more than a little interested in discovering to what levels an arts based curriculum motivates its students. As an elementary art teacher I am no stranger to the joy of the arts. Most of my students walk into the room full of anticipation at what they might create. In addition, an arts based curriculum is sure to reach many different learning styles as students get to visualize, problem solve, and create within their lesson objectives. What I think is key above all, is that students may literally create their own curriculum (within parameters)and as a result, education becomes relevant to the learner. The arts have a much higher place in education than what our current education model has assigned them. I am very interested to read future updates and developments from Mr. Hurley.

I like those ideas. I think there needs to be more of an emphasis on the arts. I believe that the arts is an easier avenue to create more higher level thinking. As a high school art teacher that reinforces what I am doing in the classroom. My question to Mr. Hurley how has fellow educators accepted this idea of change in education? I am interested in how this program will work out.

I read Mr. Hurley's beliefs about education and I couldn't agree more. I have tried in my fifth grade classroom and as a part of the district curriculum committee to integrate the ideas mentioned by Mr. Hurley. Using multiple intelligences and individual learning styles to guide the lesson plans increases student learning. But there is resistance to this style of learning from people who "did it differently" in their day. These people do not understand the depth of collective learning experiences as each member contributes their unique talent to a lesson or project. This can take the wind out of my sails sometimes.

It's good to hear your thoughts about making change from the traditional to what touches students. I, too, have such a desire to do that. Many of the ways that you take the content that is being discussed and synthesize it into so many forms is great and I'm sure that your students truly enjoy this. They become their own producer !! I am a general music teacher in a sixth grade school and have understood the enjoyment of improvisation in pedagogy especially as I teach six classes everyday of essentially the same content. I need the variety to reach my students in addition to get my excitement level high. I had a teacher share with me today a picture book of Ella Fitzgerald and asked if I might want to use this in my classroom. I jumped at the possibilities that could develop from this. Thanks again. May you always be blessed as you inspire others and encourage others to grow.

I am a middle school art teacher, and at times it is as if I do not even exist. I am forced to attend meetings on achievement tests and about core subjects. I can understand how our students can be so boared with the curriculum. I could not agree more with changing things up a little. Although, the change would be wonderful, it would never happen here. We teach to the standardized testing, and that is all. It is not fun, but at least we still have an art program so the students can have a little creative outlet. Bravo to you for taking a stand and exploring new things. Good Luck!

I would like to take this opportunity to commend Stephen Hurley. His passion for his students and his understanding of the benefits of alternate models of schooling, is very resfreshing. My daughter is a student in Stephens class, so I have seen first hand the benefits of the arts @ newman program.My daughter has always been a very bright student academically, and has been participating in musical theatre since the age of 7, however she has always struggled with confidence in her day to day life. I felt that her being in this arts based program would give her the avenue she needed to start feeling secure about sharing her talents and feeling more confident. I had no idea that having Stephen Hurley for a teacher would have such an overwhelming affect on my daughter. Strangely enough even though she had many theatre performance experiences in her life, school was not a place she would ever show those talents; I along with many of her previous teachers had serious concerns about her ability to deal with the daily struggles of dealing with peers, homework and day to day school life. Attending school was extremely stressful for my daughter, she put so much pressure on herself to get good grades and to please everyone around her that it was taking its toll on her emotionally. My daughter is also a gifted singer, a talent that she was afraid to showcase at school for fear of being judged. Shortly after school began in September I began to see a change in my daughter that was remarkable. A new found confidence was beginning to emerge, with Stephen's guidance and performance opportunities, she began enjoying school and started feel feel accepted by her peers and of course by Mr. Hurley. As a parent it also taught me that school is not just about the basics of reading, writing and math...it is about learning and teaching tolerance, acceptance and confidence in a non-judgemental way. I believe that embracing this philosophy in teaching will bring great things to any classroom. I could go on and on about all the positive things that have happened with the arts @ newman program, but I will end now by saying that we have been truly blessed by having a teacher like Stephen in our lives and in the lives of our children.