Who is John Dewey?
(from our friends at Wikipedia) John Dewey (October 20, 1859 - June 1, 1952) was an American philosopher, psychologist, and educational reformer whose ideas have been influential in education and social reform. Dewey is one of the primary figures associated with the philosophy of pragmatism and is considered one of the founders of functional psychology. A well-know public intellectual, he was also a major voice of progressive education and liberalism. Although Dewey is best known for his publications about education, he also wrote about many other topics, including epistemology, metaphysics, aesthics, art, logic, social theory and ethics.
Know for his advocacy of democracy, Dewey considered two fundamental elements--school and civil society--to be major topics needing attention and reconstruction to encourage experimental intelligence and plurality. Dewey asserted that complete democracy was to be obtained not just by extending voting rights but also by ensuring that there exists a fully formed public opinion, accomplished by communication among citizens, experts, and politicians, with the latter being accountable for the policies they keep.
Why John Dewey?
John Dewey is the perfect embodiment of what is needed to address the current crisis in Waukegan public schools:
--Strong advocate of educational reform...Based on the pattern of waste and corruption, WPS Lincoln Center needs reforming.
--Strong advocate of social reform...the current labor strife has created a powerful social movement within Waukegan.
--Strong thinker regarding ethics...the current unethical behavior of the Board of Education and central office administration needs some ethics.
--Strong advocate of democracy...Dewey would applaud the parents, students and teachers of Waukegan for their participation in governance.
--Strong advocate of a fully informed public...especially in the face of distortions and manipulations from Lincoln Center.
--Strong advocate of holding those in power ACCOUNTABLE!
Know for his advocacy of democracy, Dewey considered two fundamental elements--school and civil society--to be major topics needing attention and reconstruction to encourage experimental intelligence and plurality. Dewey asserted that complete democracy was to be obtained not just by extending voting rights but also by ensuring that there exists a fully formed public opinion, accomplished by communication among citizens, experts, and politicians, with the latter being accountable for the policies they keep.
Why John Dewey?
John Dewey is the perfect embodiment of what is needed to address the current crisis in Waukegan public schools:
--Strong advocate of educational reform...Based on the pattern of waste and corruption, WPS Lincoln Center needs reforming.
--Strong advocate of social reform...the current labor strife has created a powerful social movement within Waukegan.
--Strong thinker regarding ethics...the current unethical behavior of the Board of Education and central office administration needs some ethics.
--Strong advocate of democracy...Dewey would applaud the parents, students and teachers of Waukegan for their participation in governance.
--Strong advocate of a fully informed public...especially in the face of distortions and manipulations from Lincoln Center.
--Strong advocate of holding those in power ACCOUNTABLE!