First Do No Harm: Progressive Education In A Time Of Existential Risk by Steve Nelson

GARN

2017

FIRST, DO NO HARM: PROGRESSIVE EDUCATION IN A TIME OF EXISTENTIAL RISK

BY STEVE NELSON “Steve Nelson helps us understand education in a way that deepens our awareness of the profound impact education has on children’s lives and the society and world we live in, and he spells out a vision of real education reform.”

- Matt Damon, Actor, humanitarian and activist

Paperback Retail Price $17.95 6in x 9in 264 pages ISBN: 978-1942146476

GARN PRESS

Hardcover Retail Price $24.95 6in x 9in 264 pages ISBN: 978-1942146483

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Introduction by Actor, Producer, and Humanitarian Matt Damon Things have gone very wrong in education in recent years. Many of us know this, but few of us really understand what has happened and why. But Steve Nelson does. And in this book, he helps us understand education in a way that deepens our awareness of the profound impact education has on children’s lives and the society and world we live in.

I guess it’s not unusual to know someone personally, as I do Steve, yet be awed by what they do.

Steve has written a book that is really exceptional. And it comes at a critical time when our education system is faltering and our planet is plagued with what he calls existential threats. As the book unfolds, we see more and more how and why progressive education is an essential part of solving the problems of unprecedented magnitude that we face.

In progressive education, as Steve tells us, there is respect for children, how they develop, how they are internally motivated, how they learn best when they have some voice in the learning process. The visual and performing arts and music are a critical part of progressive education, not frills. I know this in my blood and bones. I wouldn’t be who I am or where I am today if I hadn’t gone to the progressive public elementary, middle and high schools I attended. Teachers in those schools respected me and my interest in theater; they trusted me to think for myself, to make choices about my own learning.

The whole school community mattered–I learned how to collaborate with others, to solve problems with them. Progressive educators intentionally design their programs to lead students toward becoming adults who will be engaged citizens committed to economic and social justice.

I am concerned about our planet and the existential threats Steve identifies–climate change, nuclear threat, terrorism, social and economic injustice. I am concerned about the growing divide in our society and the increasing intolerance we are witnessing. In progressive education, students learn to respect different cultures, races, points of view. They experience being part of a democratic community where all voices are equal, all have responsibility, and where compassion for others is encouraged.

The assumptions that drive most education policy and practices today are mistaken. They shortchange kids and cause harm. We have schools driven by data and testing; there is less music, arts, play, social interaction and child choice. Steve rebuts the flawed assumptions of the uniform factory approach to education. But he goes even further. As pages unfold, we see more and more that we need the progressive education revolution he is calling for.

This is ultimately a hopeful book. Steve spells out a vision of real education reform that we just might be ready for now. His Bill of Educational Rights, based on the best of what is known from science and theory about human development and children’s learning, should be our manifesto. All children deserve a progressive education, not just the privileged few. All children deserve an education that will enliven their lives with joy and possibility and help them contribute to the betterment of society and our planet.

Matt Damon Los Angeles, July 27th, 2016

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2017

GARN PRESS

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Book Reviews Wholesale orders can be purchased through Ingram Distribution and directly through Garn Press using PayPal. Email: http://garnpress.com/contact “Steve Nelson knows full well that freedom begins between the ears. He negotiates this space with clarity, charm and precision. Ultimately he shows the reader how a good education is the mirror image of a proper democracy. For too long our systems of education have shrink-wrapped our imaginations. Nelson successfully argues for a new way of thinking.” – Colum McCann, Author of Let the World Spin and National Book Award winner “Nelson’s thesis: To nurture all children – rich or poor – to develop an intrinsic desire to learn lifelong. His is an educational bill of rights I wish we could implement tomorrow. Written in direct, jargon-free style, and using his vast educational experience, Nelson makes a compelling case that much of current educational reform is wrong-headed, focusing as it does on ‘compliance and conformity.’ Until we encourage ‘skepticism and originality’ – gained via progressive education – students will not fulfil their ‘limitless potential.’ A great, thought-provoking read.” – Roberta Michnick Golinkoff, Ph.D., Unidel H. Rodney Sharp Professor, University of Delaware, Coauthor with Kathy Hirsh-Pasek of Becoming Brilliant: What Science Tells us About Raising Successful Children “Nelson combines experience, knowledge, wisdom and brilliant writing as he invites us into school the way it should be. Using progressive education as his platform, he demonstrates how education can nurture engaged and motivated children who actively discover their world and grow up to be good citizens. Sound like a pipe dream? Read on. This book is for parents and educators who know that schools can and must do better.” – Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology, Temple University “Essential reading for every parent, teacher and policy maker. At a time when public schools have been badly damaged by the virus of corporate education reform, Steve Nelson's First Do No Harm: Public Education in a Time of Existential Risk is the antidote. If we want children to thrive and be actively and enthusiastically engaged in activities and projects that will prepare them to be creative problem solvers in an uncertain and rapidly changing world, then join Matt Damon (who has written the introduction) and read Steve's brilliant book.” - Denny Taylor, author of Split Second Solution, Family Literacy, Growing Up Literate, Toxic Literacies.

“This powerful, entertaining book is both a beautifully-expressed explanation of progressive education and a searing indictment of contemporary education policy and practice. As an teacher, I appreciate the inspirational, good-humored tour of contemporary research and theory. As a parent and an activist, I appreciate the Bill of Education Rights, outlining what we should expect from our schools. As a citizen, I appreciate the clear vision for what education can be — humane, equitable, meaningful and joyful.” - Amazon Review, Amazon.

2017

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Paperback Retail Price $17.95 6in x 9in 264 pages ISBN: 978-1942146476

Hardcover Retail Price $24.95 6in x 9in 264 pages ISBN: 978-1942146483

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2017

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MATT DAMON “Steve Nelson helps us understand education in a way that deepens our awareness of the profound impact education has on children’s lives and the society and world we live in, and he spells out a vision of real education reform.” - Matt Damon, Actor, humanitarian and activist

Paperback Retail Price $17.95 6in x 9in 264 pages ISBN: 978-1942146476

Hardcover Retail Price $24.95 6in x 9in 264 pages ISBN: 978-1942146483

Wholesale Orders Wholesale orders can be purchased through Ingram Distribution and directly through Garn Press using PayPal. Email: http://garnpress.com/contact

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2017

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About Steve Nelson “Steve Nelson has been Head of School at the Calhoun School, on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, since 1998. Calhoun is one of America’s most notable progressive schools. ”

Steve Nelson has been Head of School at the Calhoun School, on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, since 1998. Calhoun is one of America’s most notable progressive schools and serves 750 students, from pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade. Calhoun is particularly well regarded for its commitment to diversity and social justice.

“STEVE NELSON KNOWS FULL WELL THAT FREEDOM BEGINS BETWEEN THE EARS. HE NEGOTIATES THIS SPACE WITH CLARITY, CHARM AND PRECISION. ULTIMATELY HE SHOWS THE READER HOW A GOOD EDUCATION IS THE MIRROR IMAGE OF A PROPER DEMOCRACY.” - COLUM MCCANN, AUTHOR OF LET THE WORLD SPIN AND NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WINNER

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Paperback Retail Price $17.95 6in x 9in 264 pages ISBN: 978-1942146476

Hardcover Retail Price $24.95 6in x 9in 264 pages ISBN: 978-1942146483

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