Verbum Sat Sap

Last weekend I went to the 40th anniversary celebration (and big, huge reunion) of my high school. I often think about how the progressive public schools my parents sent me to; Drew Model School, Hoffman Boston and HB Woodlawn, have never left me. I'm sure the reason I strive to teach in a democratic, progressive way, comes from the way school was for me from 5th grade through high school. I bet my image of the child comes from the times that I was respected and listened to as a young person.
Until last weekend I had forgotten Woodlawn's motto; Verbum Sat Sap, which means "A word to the wise is sufficient". After a week of thinking about that phrase, I am struck by how simply it sums up what I think education should be, both by starting from the assumption that children are wise, and by it's suggestion that a teacher doesn't need to do much more than share a word in order to help a student increase their understanding.
Thanks, Woodlawn people!

wikipedia.org/H-B_Woodlawn
me playing bass in the high school cafeteria
with our all girl band -we knew something like 5 songs and
played them to an appreciative crowd.

Comments

  1. Such a wonderful reflection on what inspires your teaching. It's funny - but what inspires mine is completely the opposite. I am inspired to teach in a way that respects each child as powerful, competent, and wise because I don't remember being made to feel that way in my traditional public school education. We each have our path that inspires.

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  2. How wonderful to have had that experience with your own schooling! My own recolections of schooling are pervasive boredom.... I'm SO happy my children will have a different perspective because of Sabot and the wonderful adults like you accompanying them on their journey....

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  3. Sometimes in simplicity you find great big ideas. Thanks for posting and I love the photo of you from High School.

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