Discussion in a Democratic Society- Chapter 1

“To see a topic come alive as diverse and complex views multiple is one of the most powerful experiences we can have as learners and teachers” (3).

In most of my school experience, I remember sitting and playing the part of 'student' while my teacher stood at the front and shared his/her knowledge with the rest of the group. Rarely, we would get the chance to speak up, but it was likely in order to regurgitate the teachers' words or ideas. I love the idea of teachers stepping down and letting students take the reigns and working through their thoughts and opinions together through discussion. The way that Mr. Preskill's class was thoroughly engaged and fostering the unpopular opinion all the while backing up their claims with feasible evidence made me smile. It's these sorts of experiences that made me want to start teaching in the first place. Students at around this age are wildly underestimated and are actually in an interesting place in their lives where they are finally beginning to develop ideas of their own. Working through these thoughts and opinions in a safe space that is also intellectual and varied with many differing opinions is just the environment that students need in order to become the most informed and thoughtful adults that they can. 

It only makes sense that in a Democratic country our education program should live by the same principles. “Discussion and democracy are inseparable because both have the same root purpose—to nurture and promote human growth” (3). I would much rather be leading a classroom where my students are engaged within the material, and holding themselves responsible for their own learning, as well as providing diverse and meaningful input that helps other students emerge in their own understanding of topics and issues. This was a good article to read, and makes me excited for my future. Teaching is a special profession; I am excited to tear into my first year learning with my students. I am sure they will have just as much to teach me as I have to teach them.