These are the groups of people within our environment responsible for guiding us to find the answers to our question. Their job is to listen, watch, support and nurture our Matrix so we might reach our full potential.
Parents & Family (or guardians): Our first resource and perhaps our most critical. The years from birth to three are generally regarded by families, researchers and practitioners as critical years for the development of the foundational skills and competencies that support continuous lifelong learning.
They are our first and life long mentors.
Peers, good or bad, are perhaps the strongest educators we have. I think parents know this instinctively. If not, then why do so many begin to make “play dates” as early as 6 months old? Of course, at that age it is more for the parent than the child! By the time they are 2-3 years old they are ready to run and play with and learn from others their age. As a 40 year veteran teacher, I have seen peers communicate, collaborate, create, problem solve learning tasks better than could have taught them.
Educators: The Matrix defines the Education as any one who has knowledge and is willing to share it. Good educators will ask learners questions and stimulate their curiosity rather than just tell the material to them to be tested.
Oftentimes, the passions that fanned a person to teach are quickly blown out by the endless red tape of the system.
You don’t need four years of college and thousands of dollars of debt to be a good educator. You need to become the Learner of the “I”, an active listener: Ask the questions, listen to the answers and ask more questions.
Community: Perhaps we should rethink where we are heading. Now, more than ever it is important for the community to be involved in the learning environment. It’s individuals that make a community and community which make individuals.
“A relevant education is not limited to a classroom, but seeks to contextualize the issues by the surrounding areas and people as parts of the learning environment.” (Education for Sustainable Development)
Global Citizens: Education is changing very quickly and nobody really knows what it will look like in one year, 10 years, or a hundred. Through schools or other means, we are connected with each other around the world. Why is that important? If we want them to become contributing members to a global society, they must first become a global citizen. How better to learn about the world than from other global learners rather than to just read about it in textbooks which are often stilted to the view of the educational system they are working under.
Sustainable Goal 4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.