[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”a614a53b-3883-423a-98ac-13745a7f969b” custom_padding=”36px||0px||false|false” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”0732397e-3855-4f78-9176-f7553a694335″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _dynamic_attributes=”link_option_url” _module_preset=”858a9cc5-3383-4258-a2c8-83180b3465ba” max_width=”1200px” custom_padding=”||36px||false|false” link_option_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wYWdlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjE4NTcifX0=@” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/character.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/EL_Education_Logo.png” title_text=”EL_Education_Logo” url=”https:\/\/eleducation.org\/” url_new_window=”on” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”12px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”858a9cc5-3383-4258-a2c8-83180b3465ba” custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
This month I had the honor to talk to Ron Berger<\/a>, who is responsible for leading<\/span> EL Education’s<\/a> vision for teaching and learning. Ron has been a part of EL Education since the founding of the organization and he is the author of 8 books on education, including one of my all-time favorites: <\/span>An Ethic of Excellence: Building a Culture of Craftsmanship<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n Dr. Arthur Schwartz,<\/strong> President, Character.org<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-8px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/character.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Ron_Berger.png” title_text=”Ron_Berger” url=”https:\/\/greatergood.berkeley.edu\/profile\/vicki_zakrzewski” url_new_window=”on” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” border_radii=”on|20px|20px|20px|20px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Every organization has its own genesis story. Share with us how <\/b>EL Education<\/i><\/b> came to be.<\/b><\/p>\n EL was born in 1992 when the Harvard Graduate School of Education and Outward Bound received a federal New American Schools grant to create a \u201cbreak the mold\u201d model of public education. The idea was that academic learning and character growth should never be separated. We felt, from the very beginning, that students should get smart in order to do good. Students should be able to make a difference in their communities by engaging in signature, long-term projects that connect academic excellence with addressing community problems. Because of our Outward Bound roots, we also felt that learning should be an adventure, an expedition. That\u2019s what EL stands for: <\/span>expeditionary learning.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Let\u2019s imagine that one of our readers is just learning about <\/b>EL Education<\/i><\/b>. What\u2019s your elevator pitch?<\/b><\/p>\n We believe there is a genius in every child. EL Education is about finding and cultivating that genius. But it\u2019s hard to motivate and engage with students unless they feel they belong and that the staff values every one of them across all differences. That\u2019s also EL Education.<\/span><\/p>\n Ron, share with our readers a bit about your own professional journey.<\/b><\/p>\n I was a classroom teacher in a rural public school for over 25 years. I came to Harvard for graduate work to work with Howard Gardner at just the time that EL was born. I loved how the EL model joined character and academics because it resonated with my own passion and with Howard\u2019s vision of \u201cGood Work\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”3px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Early on, what was one of your first \u201cshining moments\u201d when you knew <\/b>EL Education<\/i><\/b> was making a difference?<\/b><\/p>\n It was after we had received funding from The Gates Foundation to help create EL high schools in urban communities. The goal was to establish high schools in which every graduate could go to college. I was part of the founding of one of these high schools, the Springfield Renaissance School in Springfield, MA. A shining moment was during their first graduation ceremony when every single student announced where they had been accepted to college. This was a public district school with seven hundred students, most of whom were students of color from families with low income\u2014first generation families celebrating with cheers and tears. I\u2019ll never forget that moment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Ron, what do you think was the secret sauce?<\/b><\/p>\n We had created a \u201cCrew culture\u201d at the school where the students supported and pushed each other. The expectation wasn\u2019t just that you as a student were going to go to college but that you were part of Crew in which your responsibility was to make sure all of your crewmates were succeeding in school and life, and all your crewmates had the option of college.<\/span><\/p>\n What is EL\u2019s vision for future growth?<\/b><\/p>\n We have partnerships with about 150 schools, and our model had been to engage in a full-scale transformation of public schools — one school at a time. About ten years ago we expanded that to also support whole school districts using resources we created in collaboration with our school partners, and leading professional development district-wide. Our website has free online resources, such as our nationally-acclaimed K-8 ELA Curriculum that focuses on character and social justice\u2014currently being used by almost half a million students across the country. We are now creating a Crew Curriculum as a next step.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/character.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/EL_Ed_2.png” alt=”EL Education” title_text=”EL_Ed_2″ align=”center” admin_label=”EL Education” _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”10px||||false|false” border_radii=”on|20px|20px|20px|20px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/vimeo.com\/463882139?embedded=true&source=vimeo_logo&owner=2957133″ image_src=”https:\/\/character.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Screen-Shot-2022-08-04-at-4.01.41-PM.png” play_icon_color=”#FFC145″ _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” width=”69%” module_alignment=”center” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_video][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-32px|||||” custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-20px|auto||auto||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/character.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/EL_Ed_4.png” title_text=”EL_Ed_4″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”20px||||false|false” border_radii=”on|20px|20px|20px|20px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Tell me more about your Crew meetings.<\/b><\/p>\n The term \u201cCrew\u201d comes from Kurt Hahn, the founder of Outward Bound. His quote \u201cWe are crew, not passengers, strengthened by acts of consequential service to others\u201d inspired our EL Education motto \u201cWe are Crew.\u201d The structure of daily Crew meetings is designed to support everyone\u2019s learning and growth in character and academics. Individual success is not enough.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Is there something about character development that you know now that you didn\u2019t know before getting involved in EL Education?<\/b><\/p>\n Two things. I\u2019ve come to understand that character is not just ethical or moral character, that civic character and performance character can be joined to ethical character. We need to develop habits and skills in all dimensions. Second, I\u2019ve learned that all students need to feel that they belong in order to succeed. Not only belong, but that they have a voice and are valued. They need to feel \u2018I can be my full and best self\u2019 at school.<\/span><\/p>\n Ron, is there one core value that\u2019s your personal superpower?<\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0I think I have two. The first is that I truly believe that all students can do great things. My superpower is finding ways for students to do something surprisingly great\u2014so great that they never feel like the same person again. I believe all of us can do things we are proud of and that transform us.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n What\u2019s your second superpower?<\/b><\/p>\n Compassion. I love teachers and kids and the difference they can make in the world.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-16px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ disabled_on=”on|on|on” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” disabled=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n What is the vision for future growth for GGSC\u2019s Education Program?<\/b><\/p>\n Our plan is to build content for the moral and civic areas of our work, articles and mini-courses on compassion and humility as well as on integrity and responsibility. We also want to develop communities of practice that meet once a month to explore ways to embed moral and civic content into the classroom and school culture.<\/span><\/p>\n Vicki, is there one core value that is your personal \u201csuperpower\u201d?<\/b><\/p>\n I\u2019m fascinated by humility, not only because I think our culture needs it, but also because I love it when I experience it in others. A humble person makes you feel seen, heard, and accepted for who you are, which is one of the greatest gifts we can give to another person. So, I\u2019m very interested in discovering the different paths to humility. How can we recognize our weaknesses and have a realistic picture of who we are? How can we look at ourselves honestly and ground ourselves in the innate dignity of being a human being, and also to see the dignity of others? How can I be who I am and not harshly judge myself? How can humility help me give the gift of being seen, heard, and valued to another human being?<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/character.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/EL_Ed_6.png” title_text=”EL_Ed_6″ _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” border_radii=”on|20px|20px|20px|20px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#F5F5F5″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n