“You need not fear you have no subject and try to manufacture one by making kids read about writing and write about reading. Words on words strengthens nothing but doubts, because they merely shadow what you’re trying to teach, which is words on world.”
-James Moffett
When you’re a 22-year-old journalist and aspiring educator that is unfortunate enough to look younger than her 17-year-old sister, you don’t expect others to value your thoughts on education. But here’s why you should anyway: I pay attention. I paid attention in high school (it was only five years ago, people), I pay attention now. It’s plain to me that we’ve confused what matters and as a result there’s a major disconnect between education and the students teachers intend to educate.
It comes down to Moffett’s idea of “words on words” versus “words on world.” One makes even a word-nerd like me want to snap my No. 2 pencil in half and stare out the window until lunch. The other keeps me up at night excited about the possibilities of life. I’ll let you decide which is which.
