Why?

Here’s an observation I came across recently that resonated powerfully.

“A paradigm shift occurs when a question is asked inside the current paradigm that can only be answered from outside it.” - Marilee Goldberg, The Art of the Question

It took me a couple of minutes to digest and then it came clear to me: you will not achieve meaningful change if you never bring new perspective to an opportunity; you will not produce a different result if you continue to apply the same method to problem solution; you will never discover new wonders if you never leave the highway you’ve always travelled on!

And, it is incumbent on us as educators to challenge our students, staff and families with one of the most difficult questions to answer…WHY?

For example, March 8 is International Women’s Day. We support it, of course, and to help our students learn, we ask some questions such as:

  • Why do we celebrate, in fact even observe, International Women’s Day?

  • Why isn’t there just an International Human's Day?

  • What was the genesis of a special day for women?

  • Why did it attract global attention and support?

  • Why does it matter and what outcomes have we seen since the first IWD in 1911?

Imagine you’re a 7-year old addressing these questions. You’d be puzzled. You’d think that everyone is important because, from your perspective, everyone matters. You haven’t yet been exposed to messaging that suggests there are stark differences between genders, races, beliefs and cultures and that values associated with these characteristics are different.

Very often, parents with younger children dread the ‘why’ question and, at the same time, kids love it. Why do snakes slither? Why is grass green and why is rain wet? Why questions demand exploration and delving into issues to fully understand. It’s exactly that kind of supercharged curiosity we aspire to inspire at Walden. It’s a critical component of how we pursue our mission to make good people.

And, with specific reference to IWD, we are moving to a very exciting time in history where the world now "expects" diversity, equity and inclusion. The world notices its absence and celebrates its presence.

That’s the point of this post right there - celebration.

We all should encourage and celebrate our students and your children’s relentless curiosity. It’s a superb way to open windows on new learning and experience.

Why not?

Daphne Perugini