Session Seventeen Worksheet:
Reimagining School

Objective:
Unlearn good-student indoctrination that breeds shame.

Pivot toward inclusive thinking.

Rethink It:
Move from Trauma to Inclusivity

Schools can be places where we flourish or flounder. Each of us have unique experiences that have left their marks, for good or bad. Every experience teaches us something. It is important to reflect on what you have learned in order to know what you might need to unlearn about yourself. School trauma is hard to shed and can make us think we are defective, instead of realizing that normal sucks and “good student” is a form of indoctrination to be unlearned.

School Shame Check

• What kind of game show was my school experience like?
• What positive messages did I receive?
• What types of negative ones did I receive?
• Who are my positive role models and influencers?
• How can I move beyond any negative experiences to embrace a new learning mind-set and to do my part in making education better?

Action Steps:
Imagineer Inclusive Ways of Seeing

1. Forget normal. Most of us have quirks, and areas where we struggle or fall in the fringes of the bell curve. Instead of shame being a default, embrace your underdog identity—there’s gumption that comes with it. People who have experienced shame are more likely to be empathic. Refuse to let myopic constructions corrupt the human spirit. Embrace difference, and work hard to mine for strengths.

2. Go beyond the plane. Education can be an amazing journey, but sometimes it causes crashes. If you were relegated to feeling you are bad or abnormal, understand that some mechanical problems need fixing. There are many pathways to learning outside the classroom. Adopt a forever-learner mind-set as discussed in session 7.

3. Change the channel. Human beings are not commodities. If you are caught in a situation when the game-show mind-set is prevailing, find ways to reframe what is being sold to you. Only participate in shows where creativity reigns. It’s okay to be messy and more fun when everyone is included.

4. Stop, look, and listen. Listen to “Another Brick in the Wall” by Pink Floyd. Watch Waiting for Superman or Freedom Writers. Good teaching and schools are worth their weight in gold. Reflect on what you’ve seen and heard. How can you take your frustrations and use them to become a more conscious global citizen who helps make education a better experience? Consider volunteering at a school, doing something nice for a student or teacher you love, or donating time or money to help support education. Contact your legislators and ask them to fight hard for our schools. Schools need all of us to help them reimagineer.