The tenets of criticality are embedded in epistemology – the theories of knowledge pertaining to methods establishing scope and validity. Epistemology is the investigation of what distinguishes and separates justified belief and credibility from casual opinion, truncated talking points, misinformation, conformation bias and contrived untruths. The MRI lenses used in epistemology are critical thinking, critical skills and critical pedagogy for the purpose of pursuing the truth. Criticality becomes significant when examining the ethos and essence of the doctrines and principles of democracy, social justice, equity, meritocracy, rule of law, opportunities of worth, citizenship and the pursuit of a quality of life for all human beings.
“Do unto others . . . ” you know the rest.
It was always preached – right?!
So easy to say – maybe too easy, and for a reason.
Is it all about “me, myself and I” with casually mentioning the “others”?
How about –
“Do unto others as they wish to have done unto them.”
Let’s see which one passes the test of recognition, authenticity and validation . . . in the 21st Century.
As educators, we often share with parents that we don’t only teach content, but we teach young minds.
While being well intended, the comment is vague. What is not mentioned is that what we are really talking about is the complexities of our brain and how it learns. Ultimately, our goal is to provide each brain with pathways and maps by which to navigate knowledge, to decipher it critically and fall in love with the voyage.
“Littlefingers and White Walkers”
One a human misogynistic, narcissist, charlatan always lying creating chaos.
Then the White Walkers scaring Ice and Fire out of us!
Both were extremists, fear mongering, bent on leaving ashes behind.
They were a threat to man, woman and child.
But only a fantasy in George R. R. Martin’s mind.
Exhale – It’s 2023 and we live in the real world of the 21st Century – right?
No need to fear political charlatans and extreme Domestic White Walkers – right?
Are White people the ones who don’t need the color description? Ergo, does Whiteness gain social currency and capital by going unnoticed – normalized as the social default – with everyone else being branded – “pigmentized?”
Increasingly, one of the challenges of a homogenous teacher population teaching an exponentially growing heterogenous student body from diverse families and backgrounds requires rethinking what teaching and learning means in the 21st Century.
It becomes the responsibility of teachers to challenge social -isms and phobias so as to create safe cultural school environments that accept, affirm and build on the identities of all students with respect, dignity and integrity.