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Jul 31, 2023Liked by Richard Merrick

It matters. Thank you for the provocative thoughts. As a career educator I’ve watched the slow train wreck of modern education and would welcome your thoughts on the roles ‘new-artisans’ can play in making education more relevant.

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I’ve been married to an early years educator for approaching fifty years, through a full career, headships and working round the world, and a doctorate in childhood inquiry, so have an osmotic understanding and empathy.

Our education system angers me in a positive way, as I watch what it does to teachers and students alike, including my grandchildren.

I think a space for collegiate conversation outside of the turgid “performance” and “efficiency” is needed. Teaching at its best is joyful, for all concerned, and we need somewhere to remember that. We need our educators to have room to be who they are, shine their light and not allow themselves, as Alfie Kohn puts, to be “punished by rewards”

I’m considering three specific spaces as a possible next step for developing the artisan idea- education, agriculture, and conflict resolution.

I’ll post on that shortly, and always up for a conversation.

Education matters.

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Thanks Richard. As ever, a source of inspiration to look at what I am doing (and good reads!)

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It matters to me, hence this piece resonates. I have a hunch that it matters to others, both those who want to walk this path and those who aren't ready to leave the slow-dying behemoths but have a sense of what they are lacking.

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Looking forward to hearing more, especially about protoguilds.

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Hi Georgina. Thanks :-) I’ll be doing an overview on protoguilds when I summarise- it’s an idea that’s been bubbling for a while. Any thoughts welcome.....

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