Educación avanzada

12 cosas que tal vez no hayas aprendido en un aula

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by John Taylor Gatto

posted Jan 04, 2010

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En la lista de John Taylor Gatto de cualidades de una persona educada no encontrarás lo siguiente: "toma clases de honor", "obten buenas calificaciones", o "sólo asiste a escuelas de Ivy League". Gatto enseñó en las escuelas de la ciudad de Nueva York durante 30 años y fue nombrado Profesor del Año del Estado de Nueva York, pero sus experiencias le convencieron de que lo que los estudiantes necesitan es menos tiempo en las aulas y más tiempo en el mundo exterior. La construcción del carácter y la comunidad, afirma Gatto, son más valiosas que aprender de agotadores libros de texto y rígidas clases planificadas.

Una persona realmente educada ...

Establece un conjunto individual de valores, pero reconoce los de su comunidad circundante y los de las diversas culturas del mundo.

Explora su propia ascendencia, su cultura y lugar.

Se siente cómoda estando a solas, sin embargo, entiende la dinámica entre las personas y forma relaciones sanas.

Acepta la mortalidad, sabiendo que cada decisión afecta a las generaciones venideras.

Crea cosas nuevas y encuentra nuevas experiencias.

Piensa por sí misma, observa, analiza y descubre la verdad sin recurrir a las opiniones de los demás.

Es partidaria del amor, la curiosidad, el respeto y la empatía en lugar de la riqueza material.

Elige una vocación que contribuye al bien común.

Disfruta una variedad de nuevos lugares y experiencias, pero identifica y aprecia al lugar al cual llamar hogar.

Expresa su propia voz con confianza.

Añade valor a cada encuentro y a cada grupo del que forma parte.

Siempre se pregunta: "¿Quién soy yo? ¿Dónde están mis límites? ¿Cuáles son mis posibilidades?"

Esta lista fue adaptada del libro de John Taylor Gatto, Weapons of Mass Instruction (New Society Publishers, 2009) para Una educación para toda la vida, la edicion de YES! Magazine del otoño 2009. Gatto enseñó en las escuelas de la ciudad de Nueva York durante 30 años y fue nombrado Profesor del Año del Estado de Nueva York.

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YES! Magazine encourages you to make free use of this article by taking these easy steps. Gatto, J. T. (2009, August 11). Educación avanzada. Retrieved May 22, 2012, from YES! Magazine Web site: http://cms.yesmagazine.org/issues/una-educacion-para-toda-la-vida/educacion-avanzada. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License

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Reader Comments

Gatto's article

Posted by Dr. Christine Kallstrom at Aug 29, 2009 10:43 PM

A really neat article to read to boost our spirits
and inspire "us" to be "us"!

WRITE ON!

Gatto's List

Posted by Ned Hamson at Aug 30, 2009 07:46 PM

Nice list. Am sure he connected with his student well. Understand that posting the list is well intended. In American culture we have two prime movers of change it seems:
1. Do you own thing/Just Do It! and
2. Look for exemplars and then suggest that people copy them.

The result, too often is that most are afraid to do their own thing and we wind up with way too many second-hand versions of what innovators did.

When a number of us looked at all the good teachers and schools we found that what tied them all together was either the teacher or principal really loved the kids (kids then responded to being truly loved), or the teacher was so in love with her/his subject that kids responded to that love and enthusiasm.

Those twelve items on the list and and many other people's lists all seem to start with people who love the kids and/or love their subject.

Promoting one list may seem like a good thing to do but, I find, it promotes as many poor copies as it inspires others.

Response to Mr. Hamson's comments

Posted by Cathy Rasnick at Sep 12, 2009 09:43 AM

Your comments would indicate to me that you yourself are a "thinker"; and your observations on the qualities that make a good teacher seem to me to be "right on".

Please remember,however, that not all of us are "born" thinkers; and any one of Mr. Gatto's suggestions might well help a student find his own way to that end.

Reply to Mr. Hamson

Posted by The Princess Mom at Sep 28, 2009 06:16 PM

Were we reading the same list? How does "accept mortality" (#4) or "Choose a vocation that contributes to the common good" (#8) have anything to do with "people who love the kids and/or love the subject" (your reply)? Gatto is saying that the truly educated know themselves without (or in spite of) the lens of a traditional education. This is a list for the student to ponder, not for the teacher to teach.

Taylor Gatto's 12 Things ...

Posted by Christine at Aug 30, 2009 07:45 PM

During the many years of Home Educating my children, I often relied on the wisdom of knowledgeable, inspiring minds like those of John Taylor Gatto. It's wonderful to see him back and I hope that many parents will listen to his important message. Sadly, I think the "education machine" is such big business that many people cannot, or will not, see other ways. But we must not let those mired in the system prevent change. There is always hope!

Educated

Posted by Kathy Loh at Aug 30, 2009 07:46 PM

Loved this article thank you and appreciate the name of your book (Dumbing down) - Too much attention to "basics" leaves us with what? Basics and basics as the ceiling. aargh! What you describe is what I call "conscious" or "aware" - imagine that; teaching, encouraging, living conscious awareness.

great article.

Posted by Adrienne k. at Sep 03, 2009 02:42 PM

I love these important words of advice, and great rules to live by... I already have some of these under my belt, and plan on working on the rest... thanks for posting this article, and keep more of this great advice coming!!!

Real Education

Posted by Pauline at Sep 03, 2009 02:42 PM

Very enjoyable read. The 'church' outside the church is often found in people who truly love, laugh, respect and can be them-selves among others.
Competition has become more selfish for gain than advancement for accomplishments.
Each person has qualities that make them different and unique. But, we all are made in the image of God. How long we continue to show that and enjoy that fact depends on 'do we believe it?' 'will we believe it?' 'what happens if we fail to believe it?' God said it, I believe it. John 3:16,17. Agape!

Gatto's 12 Things

Posted by Tatyanna at Sep 03, 2009 02:43 PM

I agree completely that these things are essential to a well-rounded, educated person. It's unfortunate though, that so many of these things take wealth to obtain. For example, many people are not in a position where they can "choose" a vocation; if they are lucky, they can volunteer for something they believe in during their free time. It's also very difficult for many people to explore new places and see other cultures, no matter how desperately they would like to do so. I hold a Bachelor's Degree, for example, and find it nearly impossible to accomplish many of these things.

tatyanna's lament

Posted by eileen at Sep 04, 2009 10:45 PM

I agree with you about the part that "choosing a vocation" sounds like a wealthy person's privelege. But all the other things that Gatto lists don't require any money. You can experience other cultures by going downtown or to another neighborhood. You can create things and try things out and listen to other peoples' point of view and accept your own mortality without spending a cent. Do you really find it nearly impossible to accomplish many of these things?
Eileen

Victim

Posted by Silesian at Sep 30, 2009 09:15 AM

These do not seem at all correlated with wealth. I know many middle class and lower economic class people who achieve all of this and pursue their passions. There are many who choose a different lifestye (education for money not vocation/ passion), get married, take on oversized mortgage; who choose to not pursue their passions. Some are true victims of circumstances but most are not victims at all, but rather living with the consequences of their life choices.

a vocation..... Many people find their passion nad follow it into a vocation, whether it be as an entrepreneur, farmer or motorcyle repairman. If you did not choose a vocation, did someone thrust it upon you? And as for travel, I know many who find or take time to travel the world on the cheap, work 6 months living in a cheap apartment, save every penny, go to Mexico, come back and work some more for their next adventure. Some people choose a different path (get married, assume a big mortgage, not budget for travel), but that too seems a choice.

Of course I don't know your situation, but

Education vs. Schooling

Posted by Rich Demanowski at Sep 04, 2009 10:45 PM

Well said, Mr. Gatto!

For these very reasons, the "self-educated" are almost always the best educated.

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