Higher Education

12 Things You Might Not Have Learned in a Classroom

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by John Taylor Gatto

posted 14/08/2009

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You won’t find “takes honors classes,” “gets good grades,” or “attends only Ivy League schools” on John Taylor Gatto’s list of qualities of an educated person. Gatto taught in New York City schools for 30 years and was named New York State’s Teacher of the Year, but his experiences convinced him that what students need is less time in classrooms and more time out in the world. Building character and community, Gatto argues, is more valuable than learning from tired textbooks and rigid lesson plans.

Really educated people ...

Establish an individual set of values but recognize those of the surrounding community and of the various cultures of the world.

Explore their own ancestry, culture, and place.

Are comfortable being alone, yet understand dynamics between people and form healthy relationships.

Accept mortality, knowing that every choice affects the generations to come.

Create new things and find new experiences.

Think for themselves; observe, analyze, and discover truth without relying on the opinions of others.

Favor love, curiosity, reverence, and empathy rather than material wealth.

Choose a vocation that contributes to the common good.

Enjoy a variety of new places and experiences but identify and cherish a place to call home.

Express their own voice with confidence.

Add value to every encounter and every group of which they are a part.

Always ask: “Who am I? Where are my limits? What are my possibilities?”

This list was adapted from John Taylor Gatto latest book, Weapons of Mass Instruction (New Society Publishers, 2009) for Learn as You Go, the Fall 2009 issue of YES! Magazine. Gatto was a New York State Teacher of the Year. An advocate for school reform, his books also include Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling.

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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). Higher Education. Retrieved November 21, 2009, from YES! Magazine Web site: http://www.yesmagazine.org/issues/learn-as-you-go/higher-education. Esta obra se publica bajo una licencia Creative Commons License

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Reader Comments

Gatto's article

Posted by Dr. Christine Kallstrom at 29/08/2009 22:43

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 30/08/2009 19:46

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 12/09/2009 09:43

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 28/09/2009 18:16

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 30/08/2009 19:45

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 30/08/2009 19:46

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 03/09/2009 14:42

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 03/09/2009 14:42

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 03/09/2009 14:43

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 04/09/2009 22:45

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 30/09/2009 09:15

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 04/09/2009 22:45

Well said, Mr. Gatto!

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

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