Tuesday, March 8, 2022
March is Youth Art Month around the nation, which encourages support for quality school art programs, and promotes art material safety. This year’s theme for Youth Art Month is “Art Connects Us.”
We All Want Better
By: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Arts and Creativity Consultant Chris Gleason
I looked at my watch, having just finished eating my third meal on the same flight. I said to myself, “Only three hours left until we land.” The 24-hour journey to South Africa certainly provided me with ample time to finish Nelson Mandela’s autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, before landing. As I read, I underlined this quote by Mandela, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
After 25 years of teaching in public schools across Wisconsin, I am thrilled to join the team at the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction to serve our schools, communities, and children. My trip to South Africa provided me with an opportunity to gain perspective and see the world a bit better. When I use the word “see,” I don’t mean finding them visually, but instead intentionally making an authentic connection with the student while actively assessing their knowledge, skills, hopes, dreams, and aspirations. Admittedly, when I first started teaching, I barely “saw” one student, much less all of my students. My focus was inward...How was I doing? Was I going to get a good evaluation? Do the kids like me? As I matured, learned more, and gained confidence, my philosophy shifted to the students. I learned as much as I could about them and focused on creating conditions to flourish and grow.
While in South Africa, we visited South Peninsula High School. Our tour began with a poignant address by the principal. He said, “Education in South Africa has never been equal. In the 67 years of its existence, the teachers and past principals of this institution have strived to instill in its students the values of a just and equal society. Even today, South Peninsula students are reminded that it is only through education that the changes that are needed to transform our unequal society will materialize.”
I believe in many respects, we are working toward the same goal in the United States and Wisconsin. We need to create a system of education that provides opportunities for all students to find success and happiness. We need to create the conditions to “see” children better, respond to their unique needs, cultivate their individual curiosities, and nurture their sense of self-worth and belonging. One size does not fit all and never has.
After our lunch at South Peninsula High School in Cape Town, I walked with the music teacher from the high school, who told me, “We all just want better for our children.” So it is with us. I’m thrilled to work alongside all of you in this profession and to continue to strive to build a better future for our children.
Chris Gleason is the arts and creativity consultant for the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Gleason was previously the instrumental music educator at Patrick Marsh Middle School in Sun Prairie and was named a 2017 Wisconsin Teacher of the Year.
Subscriber submission: Chris Gleason, arts and creativity consultant for the Wisconsin DPI