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Dayton Daily News education reporter Scott Elliott writes about schools, kids, teaching and learning.
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Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Another kind of learning — about the world
I spent a couple of hours this morning at Chaminade-Julienne High School at a social justice and human rights symposium run by students that featured Binka LeBreton as a keynote speaker along with a group of students who described research projects they conducted studying social justice issues.
It was a very nice event. LeBreton and her husband moved from Washington, DC, to the Brazillian rain forest so they could “walk the walk” rather than just talk and teach about ways to make a difference in the world. They help poor farmers find sustainable ways to grow organic products without destroying the forest. LeBreton also wrote a book about Dorothy Stang, the martyred nun from Dayton who worked in Brazil for the same causes.
We talk a lot here about what kids should be learning in school and most of that discussion surrounds curriculum issues. But this is another important aspect of learning. We can teach kids the skills to completely change the world, but shouldn’t we also teach them why they should WANT to change the world and how to make it a better place for everyone, not just for the few?
LeBreton spoke primarily about how many people making a small difference can add up to really big positive changes. At C-J, the school is deeply involved in social justice issues, a tradition built by the nuns and brothers who founded the school. One of the reasons I like to attend these kinds of events there is the kids are very well versed in the issues and often have been on mission trips or taken part in other activities that directly involve them in working for social justice. Today was no exception.
LeBreton will speak again tonight at the Dayton International Peace Museum at the opening of a new art exhibit there. Here are the details for those who are interested:
“Art For Peace” Reception
Dayton International Peace Museum
208 West Monument Avenue, Dayton
Date: February 11, 2009
Time: 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
A reception for the juried art show “Art For Peace” will be held at the museum. Artwork from galleries around the world have entered the art show, which offers a $1,000 purse.
The work of 8 semi-finalists from the show will be exhibited at the museum during the reception. Dayton artist Violet Brandwein’s piece “Child of Darfur,” will also be on display. Jury members include Will South, Curator for the Dayton Art Institute, local artists Migiwa Orimi, Yufend Wang and Debbie Wolf, theatrical artist John Fleming and Dayton International Peace Museum director, Steve Fryburg.
The evening’s reception will also commemorate the death of Daytonian Sister Dorothy Stang, who received the U.N. Humanitarian Award in December. Brazilian environmentalist and author Binka LeBreton will speak.
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