I have had many dreams in my life. And a lot of nightmares as well, including just yesterday after finishing season 1 of Mindhunter.
But one (actually two, but let’s just talk about one) dream has stuck with me for more time than I can recall.
It fades and then comes back after something reminds me of it, or when I see someone else do it, or when something invokes a deep reflection, or simply when someone asks what’s your dream?
It is to build a school.
Only, it will not be called a school. It will not have the usual walls and classrooms or the bell ringing after every 40 minutes. It will not have someone called a teacher or a principal. It will have lots of space to run and explore, to fall and get up again, to be creative and curious.
I remember when I was in grade 10 and was telling my friends this, they got excited and wanted to be a part of it, a part of my dream project. We assigned roles to everyone. I was the head of school, P was the department incharge, A1 was the PT teacher and A2 was Suresh Sir :p
I don’t just remember the joke; I remember the excitement of my friends at the age of 15 to bring about a change in the world, in the way schools were run.
I rarely talk to P and A1 anymore, but I know they’ll be willing to do the same even today.
This change is long due.
No, this change is looooooooong due. And yet, we only have a handful of brave souls trying to bring about that change and face resistance.
I want to be one them, and also inspire others to do the same.
This little post/rant/confession is driven by the brilliant The Circle session I was a part of today, led by Craig Johnson and many others. I was equally thrilled after last week’s session by Transcend, and the week before that as well.
Having like minded people, people with the same hope for education, in one single room, can do wonders. The energy, the ideas, and the diverse takeaways itself are enough for one to keep brainstorming for weeks. I have my brainstorming sessions ready for atleast a year!
I am writing this here to remind myself not to give up. There’s a lot to learn and implement, and it will be fun!
If you wish to be a part of my Early-Supporters-Board, let me know and I’ll save a seat ;)
