The Foremost Task of Education

"I regard it as the foremost task of education to insure the survival of these qualities: an enterprising curiosity, an undefeatable spirit, tenacity in pursuit, readiness for sensible self denial, and above all, compassion." - Kurt Hahn

My family and I have had a memorable summer.  From road tripping - to waterfalls - to funerals - we have logged many meaningful experiences.  But now I am excited about the new school year.  I am so ready to meet my new students, and get to know them, and their families.  Mostly, I am excited about the possibilities that come along with all of these new people who are about to enter my life.  I have said it before, but there is simply no substitute for the energy of the first day of school.  

And I am especially excited this year, as my youngest child is starting Kindergarten.  His adventure in public education is just beginning, and I love to see his beginning with new eyes.  It especially helps renew my fire for education. 

For me, getting the opportunity to engage in thoughtful discussion about the history of humans is about as good as it gets.  And I am chomping at the bit to dive in.  But that is not my primary goal. As the above quote best illustrates - it is my foremost task that my students (and I) will become more compassionate, spirited, and curious people as a result of our knowing, and learning, with one another.

So... Lets. Do. This.

Small Classes {What if They Are Not So Great?}

Recently, I read Malcolm Gladwell's David and Goliath- a book that studies how underdogs achieve. I enjoyed it, but was particularly struck by his chapter that focused on class size.

According to his collection of research, the relationship between class size and student achievement is actually an inverted U curve (below).  That in reality, classes that perform poorly are (most often) either too big, or too small.

So, there is a sweet spot - and that does not surprise me.  From my personal experience, the perfect class size is anywhere from 18 to 26 students.  Anything less, and it is challenging to create critical mass movements, especially when the class does not include many peers.  Happy students are the best students, so classes work better when students are surrounded by (and inspired by) their peer groups. Small classes make that very scenario less likely.  Of course, in classes that are larger than 26,  personal relationships are almost impossible to cultivate.

I am looking forward to (hopefully) teaching classes this upcoming year that are not tiny - but right in the sweet spot.