Sunday, September 19, 2010

Power Transitions

The theme of this Monday's walk-and-talk is kids' process of transitioning into an empowering environment. It's part of September's general theme of power dynamics.

Kids who grow up in an unempowering environment tend to not know what to do with power when they get it. It might take a year or two for a teen to begin thriving in a Sudbury-model school. 5-year-olds, on the other hand, take to Sudbury-model schools like ducks to water.

Another observation is that the benefits of empowerment only really come out when there is full empowerment. If a swimmer is tied to shore by 10 chains, releasing 9 of them won't make a big difference. Schools don't transition to the Sudbury model gradually - they either start out with full empowerment or they say empowerment doesn't work.

These are interesting times in Kingston for several reasons:
-several mayor candidates wish to support youth issues, and want to do it well
-teacher candidates at Macarthur are starting their year, and must quickly choose how much to buy into the system as it is, and whether changing from the inside is even possible
-I've gotten several invitations to volunteer with kids, and wonder if my presence, without an empowering structure, would be helpful

Come on out and discuss how to effectively transition to an empowering Sudbury-model environment for kids.

The walk-and-talk meets Monday at 7:00 in front of City Hall, and we begin walking at 7:15.

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