tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438349.post1165605762973729384..comments2024-03-28T00:28:06.035+13:00Comments on leading and learning: Elwyn Richardson: NewZealand's pioneer creative teacher.Bruce Hammondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07031065790535111400noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438349.post-4089044358306221602012-10-01T11:58:54.301+13:002012-10-01T11:58:54.301+13:00You are so right - Elwyn had it right.You are so right - Elwyn had it right.Bruce Hammondshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07031065790535111400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438349.post-15687749730185347672012-10-01T09:37:42.335+13:002012-10-01T09:37:42.335+13:00I write this as the NZ government proposes to merg...I write this as the NZ government proposes to merge and close schools around me in Christchurch and the country continues to argue with the Ministry of Education about the relevance of National Standards. We all know that the bottom line on the balance sheet is more important to them than fostering a love of learning. <br /><br />I first came across Elwyn as a second year teacher, when my principal in the Wellington school I worked at loaned me his copy of "The Wonder of Child Reality." I was fascinated, energised, inspired, trying out his ideas in my own classroom with the support and encouragement of my principal. I was so excited by the children's resulting writing. These weren't children that would have been identified as "able" for the most part, yet what they were producing blew both my principal and I away. <br /><br />Unfortunately, I then got a job in a larger school in Christchurch. This was a much more traditional city, and I was pressured to teach in a much more rigid fashion, while all the time feeling I was being less effective. I never managed to replicate the x factor that was present in the writing my class and I managed in Wellington, despite the pupils in this school being ssen as generally more "able."<br /><br />Elwyn, if you read this, thank you, thank you, thank you. You had it right. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438349.post-17689198674420924762012-01-02T13:08:01.556+13:002012-01-02T13:08:01.556+13:00Enjoyed your blog Bruce.Made me think of influence...Enjoyed your blog Bruce.Made me think of influences of those who have contributed to my own beliefs - you being one of them.And I also really enjoyed Elwyn's video. Amazing educationalist.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438349.post-13811415714269716172012-01-01T17:53:47.239+13:002012-01-01T17:53:47.239+13:00Thanks Tara. I also thought the video was inspirin...Thanks Tara. I also thought the video was inspiring. Nothing much of creative value will happen in education until the ideas of creative teachers are valued. Nothing the the top imposes has lasting value unless schools are pressurized to comply.Hardly 21st Century thinking - more like the repressive Victorian EraBruce Hammondshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07031065790535111400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438349.post-48693247894483977372012-01-01T16:34:34.454+13:002012-01-01T16:34:34.454+13:00I love the point you make here:
Unfortunately, in...I love the point you make here:<br /><br />Unfortunately, in recent decades, 'experts' from outside the classroom have become the sources of 'official' knowledge and this has led to a reduction in the importance of those creative teachers. This is is a shame.<br /><br />All the more reason to get these creative non-standardised teaching stories 'out there'<br /><br />Absolutely loved the video - inspiring.Tara TJnoreply@blogger.com