What we can learn from Esther Wojcocki
“I saw a system that didn’t work and a system I didn’t trust so I challenged the whole system. Worldwide, kids are forced to learn things not related to the real world. We test them on it and they get into the world without the skills they need. I want to change things.”
I recently had the pleasure of joining an intimate discussion between one of the greatest pioneers in education reform, Esther Wojcicki, at an event hosted by Big Change with Lord Jim Knight.
It was such an exciting and insightful morning- coinciding with the launch of Big Change’s Reimagining Education Together report.
As an educator, author, journalist and advocate, Esther - or 'Woj' as her friends know her - has been challenging the education system for over 30 years now. She is also the mother of three incredible daughters including Susan (CEO of YouTube), Anne (cofounder and CEO of 23andMe) and Janet (anthropologist, epidemiologist and paediatrics professor). This experience combined has earned Esther the affectionate and accurate title as the ‘godmother of Silicon Valley’.
Woj had a difficult upbringing after losing her brother at an early age. As a result of the tragedy, Esther struggled to place her trust in people such as doctors and professors and always sought to find answers for herself. This mindset really shaped Esther’s career and she actively taught her students and children to embrace their independence, autonomy and curiosity.
As we listened to Esther speak so passionately about her story and her work, it was encouraging to hear her thoughts so aligned with the philosophy and ethos that drives us at Big Change.
She spoke about how students need to be taught fundamental life skills as well as independence and autonomy to be better equipped for life beyond the school gates. She also addressed the rise in mental health issues faced by young people, the power of collaborative learning and the different roles we all have to play to create long-term, system change in education.
Esther's views on how we ought to create change were refreshingly simple and value-based. Her 'TRICK' to creating an effective and human-focused learning ecosystem involves:
Trust
Respect
Independence
Collaboration and
Kindness.
Esther feels so strongly about this process that it shaped the structure of her new book - which I was really excited to get signed and started reading over the weekend.
Esther concluded the discussion by reminding us that “your children represent hope”. As I sat with Lola breathing deeply on my chest, it really bought the message home.
President The JoyFULL Kitchen Group,LLC
5 年If children are allowed to imagine without barriers what an amazing place this would be! Thank you for sharing such an insightful educator
Content Creator, Writer and Media Producer for Digital, AI, Apps, Video and Print
5 年The most important question any educational system needs to ask is “why.” In fact, every organized structure needs a periodic session of Why. Just to figure out where and how to go next. Besides, the asking of “why,” from the perspective of the target demographic and the culture allows the teachers, leaders, and producers better understand whether the content is necessary, how best to deliver, and how to connect the dots. The strongest educationist always question their methods and content before teaching. The best students question what was right and learn from their questioning. The ones that don’t...well...look at the world around us.
Managing all things Marketing at MineGeoTech, MineLiDAR & Envirocapture
5 年This is so important! Reimagining the educational landscape is critical to ensuring the way we teach and learn adapts to the varying careers we have today and for the future. Encouraging hands-on learning experiences instead of textbooks is just the beginning ?? #lifelonglearning #education #readyfortakeoff CoRE Learning Foundation