Mar 23, 2011 by Yolanda Fontanez-Coleman | Unique Approches to Learning
The film, Race to Nowhere, documents the stories of young students, parents and teachers across the country and there take on the educational system. The students featured in the film share their stories and recount the daily stress they feel with regard to the pressure they face in school. The teachers in this film are burnt out – they discuss their concern that their students aren’t developing the necessary skills to be successful both inside and outside of the classroom. The parents in the film are worried that their children are overstressed and overworked.
The moving was very compelling. There were times that I sat there shocked by what I was hearing. Most of my teaching experience is in the elementary grades and with 3 very young children of my own, I have not been as focused on the high school or college years. However, after seeing this film, I am now fearful of what is yet to come.
The school where I screened the movie actually reduced the number of AP classes in order to give their students more free time to be creative. I think this is amazing!! What is wrong with down time? Do our schools allow our kids to be creative? It got me thinking about student’s and my own children’s future. Do we over schedule our children? Are we pressuring our kids too much to succeed? What does success mean to your family for your children?
Are we raising motivated, creative and happy children? I’d love to hear from you! If you can – go see this film, it is worth the watch! You can learn more about Race to Nowhere by logging onto www.racetonowhere.com