The start of school is right around the corner, and in watching my teacher friends get ready to start their new year, I have thought a lot about education these past few weeks. Specifically, the difference between philanthrocation and real strides in education.
Philanthrocation - when millionaires and billionaires invest in education under the guise of philanthropy and education reform.
During my 18 years as an educator, I saw several incredibly rich people and / or corporations who decided to put their mark on education. The problem with these philanthrocation ventures? They treat students like widgets (X knowledge plus Y time equals Z outcome). And they selectively picked who to educate.
Newsflash: students are nothing like widgets, and they all need a great education.
And then along comes LeBron James.
As far as professional basketball goes, I’m a Spurs fan. I’ve been a Spurs fan for twenty years. I admire their teamwork, the coaching of Popovich, and how the players never seem to be in the news for the bad behavior that often plagues professional athletes.
When LeBron James shot onto the basketball scene, I could admit he was a really good player, if young. He didn’t inspire me as much as Michael Jordan had, but then, maybe that’s generational. I was happy he accepted his draft to Cleveland in his home state with such grace, a little put off at how he left for Miami, but glad he returned to Cleveland and helped clinch their first NBA title.
Where he won me over was his I Promise School.
Billionaires have attempted to make students into widgets. Mr. James, a multimillionaire, has sought to address all the problems students face that he possibly can, and overcome them. Most importantly, he’s doing it as a public school. (Learn more about the school here: http://time.com/money/5354265/lebron-james-i-promise-school-akron/).
Thank you, Mr. James. You now have my attention as well as my admiration. Rather than buy your jersey to show my support, I will donate to your school. (Anyone can donate here: http://www.lebronjamesfamilyfoundation.org/page/donate). If the only real power I have is economic, I want to support those I believe are making a real difference, and I think the I Promise School is definitely that.
I hope others follow your lead.
Philanthrocation - when millionaires and billionaires invest in education under the guise of philanthropy and education reform.
During my 18 years as an educator, I saw several incredibly rich people and / or corporations who decided to put their mark on education. The problem with these philanthrocation ventures? They treat students like widgets (X knowledge plus Y time equals Z outcome). And they selectively picked who to educate.
Newsflash: students are nothing like widgets, and they all need a great education.
And then along comes LeBron James.
As far as professional basketball goes, I’m a Spurs fan. I’ve been a Spurs fan for twenty years. I admire their teamwork, the coaching of Popovich, and how the players never seem to be in the news for the bad behavior that often plagues professional athletes.
When LeBron James shot onto the basketball scene, I could admit he was a really good player, if young. He didn’t inspire me as much as Michael Jordan had, but then, maybe that’s generational. I was happy he accepted his draft to Cleveland in his home state with such grace, a little put off at how he left for Miami, but glad he returned to Cleveland and helped clinch their first NBA title.
Where he won me over was his I Promise School.
Billionaires have attempted to make students into widgets. Mr. James, a multimillionaire, has sought to address all the problems students face that he possibly can, and overcome them. Most importantly, he’s doing it as a public school. (Learn more about the school here: http://time.com/money/5354265/lebron-james-i-promise-school-akron/).
Thank you, Mr. James. You now have my attention as well as my admiration. Rather than buy your jersey to show my support, I will donate to your school. (Anyone can donate here: http://www.lebronjamesfamilyfoundation.org/page/donate). If the only real power I have is economic, I want to support those I believe are making a real difference, and I think the I Promise School is definitely that.
I hope others follow your lead.
