And, perhaps my last post of connecting the idea of philanthropy to our students (inspired again by Jacqueline’s Novogratz’s book The Blue Sweater). John Gardner, while giving advice to Novogratz, continued:
“Finally,” he continued, “philanthropists should find innovations that release the energies of people. Individuals don’t want to be taken care of — they need to be given a chance to fulfill their own potential. Too many projects create dependence that helps no one in the long run.”
Doesn’t that sound exactly like school?! Our students don’t want to be taken care of (worksheets, highly structured lesson plans and graded activities), they want to and need to be given a chance to engage, discover their potential and fulfill it.
Let’s not be afraid to release the energies!
