As I read "Innovators", it was intriguing to learn how certain elements of the education system first begun. I never thought about the beginnings of school leadership and administration, which was designed by Ellwood Cubberley, or the first board of education, established by Horace Mann (PBS, 2011). The only "innovator" mentioned in the article that I was familiar with was Booker T. Washington. When I think of Booker T. Washington, I think of a man born of slaves who was a monumental figure in African American history. This article made me look at him in a different light. I didn't realize he was the "leading advocate for the educational and economic improvement of African Americans" (PBS, 2011). Reading this about him let me know he truly believed that education is power.
The innovator that personally impacted me the most is Linda Brown Thompson. Growing up I've always been aware of Brown v. Board of Education and that it legally ended segregation. Never did I think about who “Brown” is or the parents of the child. Some children would have been too afraid to go through with it, but Linda and her other classmates, did what was unthinkable. It had to be beyond frightening to be an African America third grader sent to an all white school. I’m not a parent, but I can only imagine the concern her parents had when they allowed their child to attend the school. Among their concerns would have to be, How is my child going to be treated? Am I or my child going to be incarcerated? Even with those possibilities, Linda still went to the school. I try to envision the conversation the parents had with their children as they prepared for the life-changing experience. I think they would tell them segregation is legal, but it’s wrong. Also that the children and teachers are probably not going to be nice to them. I’m truly thankful for the parents of Linda Brown Thompson and the other courageous children who took a stand. The bravery of the children is beyond words. As an African American growing up in the 1980s and 1990s, there are certain things that I took for granted when I think back. I never thought twice that I was going to school with children of different ethnicities or that I was able to go to any restaurant that I wanted to. I’m amazed that it wasn’t that long ago when this happened. My parents were in grade school when segregation ended. The actions of Linda Brown Thompson and her African American classemates who attended that all white school in Topeka, Kansas are responsible for allowing me to get an education in an integrated environment and I am forever thankful for that. Linda Brown Thompson’s contribution to education is tremendous. If it where not for her, schools might not be segregated today.
“The Makers of Modern Schooling” made me look at education in an absolutely different way. When I read the title, I expected to find influential teachers and educators. Little did I know that Andrew Carnegie “the steel baron”, J.P Morgan “capitalist finance”, John D. Rockefeller “the duke of oil”, or Henry Ford “master of the assembly line which compounded steel and oil into a vehicular dynasty” would be mentioned (Gatto, 2000-2003). As I was reading, I became more interested to see exactly how these men are “the makers of modern schooling” (Gatto, 2000-2003).
The article really focuses on how the education system focuses more on making students consumers rather than intelligent contributors to society. The most fascinating thing in the article is the idea of the fourth purpose concept. The fourth purpose has moved the three purposes of education to the side and is “a servant of corporate and political management” (Gatto, 2000-2003). The other three purposes of education are “to make good people, to make good citizens and to make each student find some particular talents to develop to the maximum.” (Gatto, 2000-2003). I agree with this sentiment. When I think of my own education, I was encouraged to discover what I like to do and try to make a career out of it, but there were always rules. I’m aware there are rules and laws in place to maintain order, but when it comes to education rules are enforced too much. So much so, students aren’t encouraged to be original. It wasn’t until I was an adult that I realized I could be an entrepreneur and truly establish my own destiny. Everyone cannot say that. This is where the education system comes in. It would be great for educators to encourage students they can be whatever they want to be and they can choose a legal path to achieve it. My Math for Teachers professor, Dr. Dovie Kimmins said is best,” “instead of being creative, they’re taught these are the rules”. These “rules” are what makes Andrew Carnegie, J.P. Morgan, John D. Rockefeller, and Henry Ford the “the maker’s of modern schooling.
For me, Henry Ford is the maker that really influenced education today. His Ford Motor Company led to the “introduction of the moving assembly line revolutionized automobile production by significantly reducing assembly time per vehicle, thus lowering costs” (The Henry Ford, 2003). This seems to be the model education is modeling after. There are so many children to educate, so administrators and teachers try to find the most efficient way to do so. Although this method is not perfect, this method definitely worked for Ford, and in large part it’s working for the education system as well.
References
PBS. (2001) Innovators. retrieved 16 September 2011 from
http://www.pbs.org/kcet/publicschool/innovators/index.html
Gatto, J.T. (2000-2003). The Makers of Modern Schooling, The Odysseus Group. Retrieved 16 September from
http://www.johntaylorgatto.com/historytour/history1.htm
The Henry Ford (2003) The Life Of Henry Ford. Retrieved 16 September 2011 from
http://www.hfmgv.org/exhibits/hf/
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