What is "Teaching To Dreams"?

I once asked the superintendent of our school district, Why it is that children attend school?"  She said, "So that they can learn."  Playing the inquisitive 5 year old, I asked her, "Why?"  She said, "So they can learn to read, write and do math."  Again I asked, "Why?"  She said, "So that they can learn some more."  Well, we could have gone on all day in this vicious circle, and if you have children, you know how exhausting and unfruitful this exercise can sometimes be.  She was telling me that "learning for the sake of learning" should be enough to motivate today's students to be successful in school.  But alas, as statistics indicate, it is not.  We live in a society where our children are failing academically and they are sold and  marketed to continually.  Judging by our massive consumption of frivolous and expensive fashions, junk foods and gadgets, and our falling standings in the global economy, we've fallen into a real "trick bag!"

I would be willing to bet that if you were to ask most children why it is that they attend school, they couldn't begin to tell you.  I'm sure they could recite the rules and what it is that they "are not" supposed to do at school, but stating the purpose for their participation in a 13 year long process has probably never occurred to them... or you either.  The simple truth is that they are there to fulfill their dreams and prepare for life and to become productive and contributing members to a growing and prosperous society... and world!

"Teaching to Dreams" employs the techniques of sales and marketing in our classrooms by asking the simple questions, "What would you like to be when you grow up?" and, "What are your dreams?" "Teaching to Dreams"recognizes the nature of the "customer and service provider" relationship that exists between students and educators and opens the door to "selling" the value of education to them, thereby enabling them to take the steps toward the realization of their dreams.  "Teaching to Dreams" uncovers the "What's in it for me?" for each of them and applies the curriculum directly to those desires.  All the time... everyday.  That's the answer! It may seem over simplistic but how many of us "buy" Coke because we have seen thousands of commercials which say that we need it in our lives?

"Teaching To Dreams" simply requires that we shift the educational paradigm from "learning for the sake of learning" to learning for purpose.  A skilled salesman, a good teacher, will ascertain the the desires of the customer, the "What's in it for me?", and modify his approach to satisfy them.

Please comment.  Thank you.

Next post:  Defining the "Student/Educator Roles

How Can I Improve the Institution of Education In America?

When I was a child I loved to go to school.  I was so excited to learn new things and have new experiences.  I find that I love learning even more today in my mid fifties.  As a parent of two boys, I was sure to be involved in every aspect of their education as I could.  In the classroom, on committees, PTA, my local government and the Chamber of Commerce.  These experiences taught me that everyone, students, parents, teachers, business, government and society, is a stakeholder in the success and/or failure of our students.  We either benefit from their creativity and strong work ethics or lose because of crime and low productivity.   I also found, however, that today's classroom experience pales in comparison to my own.  Where I found hope, joy in achievement and strength through competition, so many of today's children don't seem interested in school, see no personal benefit in obtaining a solid education and have very little hope for the future... their future.

I attended school in South Central Los Angeles,  at Locke Senior High School.  The school where I once held student office, was in Honor Society and a world famous marching band, participated in track and field and more importantly, obtained a well-rounded and substantial education, is now the high school with the lowest academic performance  in the Los Angeles Unified School District.  This breaks my heart and has spurred me to develop a learning strategy called, "Teaching to Dreams".

Question:     What do you think "Teaching To Dreams" means?
Question:     What ideas do you have which can move education "outside" its "Ivy Covered Box" and
                    into the 21st Century?

I look forward to your ideas...please comment.  thank you