GWPN Forum: Crisis in Education
To empower women and families during this time of crisis and racial unrest, Global Women’s Peace Network (GWPN) USA initiated a three-part Facebook live speaker series, under the theme Reflect, Reset, Rebuild. After a very successful first session on “Life and Business” at the end of May (read report), the second forum was held on July 1st on the topic “Crisis in Education.” Two expert women leaders shared on the global academic crisis and current uncertainty around COVID-19, followed by the opportunities it presents to chart new paths toward peace.
Our first speaker was Dr. Susan Taffer, a global educator, humanitarian and founder of World Connections Foundation, a Global Friend, who also serves as director of the Western Regional GWPN. She began her talk, entitled “Crisis in Education, A Global Perspective: The Problems, Purpose, and Potential,” by reflecting on the current pandemic and resetting our sights and priorities moving forward.
She shared that during times of major economic crisis, the consequences disproportionately fall on women and minority groups. But this time also offers us opportunity for the systemic recovery from the social inequities that exist. While education creates open opportunity for all, it is often the first budget to be cut. She encourages us to step up as one world, to share the outcome, and be part of the solution.
Dr. Tina D. Pierce, a professional development program manager at the Ohio State University and founder of education consulting company WORTH, continued the conversation, acknowledging this current time of disruption that holds opportunity for great change. In her presentation, “Crisis in Education: An Opportunity for Partnerships with Parents,” she argued that not only will this time change how people are educated, but the content of what will be taught, and how parents will be involved in the learning process.
Dr. Pierce emphasized that parents hold the key to instilling values and morals, understanding their child's challenges and behaviors, and setting boundaries in terms of the sudden increase in technology use. The need for open communication lines between families and schools is apparent, to rebuild a society where humans care about the humanity of others, and are equipped to make the world a better place.
She also provided the following list of resources on school and family partnerships:
- Home-to-School Connections: Resource Roundup by Shira Loewenstein (2015)
- Sharing Data to Create Stronger Parent Partnerships by Edutopia Staff (2015)
- The Beginners' Guide to Connecting Home and School by Tabitha Dell'Angelo and Joanna Maulbeck (2014)
- 8 Tips for Reaching Out to Parents by David Cutler (2014)
- Five-Minute Film Festival: Parent-Teacher Partnerships by Amy Erin Borovoy (2013)
After an engaging question and answer session, moderator of the show, WFWP USA President Angelika Selle, concluded the forum by highlighting the Mother of Peace as a mentor, educator, and leader who has given her life to bring about peace globally, alongside her timely memoir.
Thank you to all who contributed to this insightful discussion with comments on how this forum positively impacted you! In case you missed it, you can watch the recording by clicking below.
Comments from participants:
Steven Matthew Goldberg: This is the best presentation I've seen this far to help us orient our thinking in the current situation. As an educator I often am called upon to work in outdoor settings with families and school groups. Your speakers today provided resources and ideas that I can use to connect family, school and church communities in the education matrix of educational tour guiding. Thank you so very much!
Marguerite Felig: Dr. Taffer and Dr. Pierce gave brief, succinct and hard hitting personal insights about education. During the momentous changes that education everywhere in the world is suddenly experiencing, personal values and family values are more essential than they have been. Teachers (I am a teacher) weren't trained to teach the way they are! Teaching in partnership with families is the New Norm in education everywhere. Thank you for sharing these profound and valuable strategies and insights, Mrs. Selle, Dr. Taffer and Dr. Pierce!
Editor’s Note: Dr. Pierce sent in written responses to audience questions that were not covered during the live session due to time constraints. You can read them here.