Are you a Rebel Teacher?

I've been promoting the #RebelTeachers community and the #RebelTeacherNetwork lately, trying to develop a community for passionate educators and ultimately a platform for collaboration.

But there has been some uncertainty over the choice of name: rebel.

Here, I want to start explaining what I think a rebel is, and I will continue to develop this idea in future posts.

First of all, I want to distinguish between a rebellion and a revolution, at least as far as I define them.

A revolution is an uprising against the people directly in charge of the revolter, while a rebellion is directed towards changing the system.

Whereas the goal of a revolution is to overthrow the superiors by force, strip them of their authority and have them removed, usually to be replaced by the revolters themselves, a well-intentioned rebellion should leave room in its ranks for any members of the establishment to join the cause.

As rebel teachers, we do not wish to see our leaders fall. We wish to bring as many educators on board as possible from all areas and levels of the system. Teachers, leaders, administrators, etc. who represent the traditional model of education, we want to show them how things can be better and mobilise them to join us as we build something new.

As rebel teachers, we do not wish to replace our leaders. We wish to build a whole new system and hierarchy, and whoever should prove themselves competent will be encouraged to fulfill whatever role best suits them. Leaders in the current system might well be leaders in the new system. But just as likely, those in the lower ranks of the current system might well rise to lead the new institutions we build.

Whereas a revolution is built upon force, a rebel movement is built upon acts of rebellion.

As rebel teachers, we take the bold and brave acts everyday, doing what we know is right and refusing to do what we know is wrong. We strive everyday to be the best educators we can be and to offer the education we believe our students deserve, whether we do that in the classroom as teachers or through our duties as leaders, trainers, administrators, instructional designers or any other role.

As rebel teachers, we do what's right and best for our students regardless of the prevailing standards and traditions or the systemic and institutional rules. We recognise that the system as it stands today does not always have the students' best interests in mind or is not necessarily designed or implemented with the best understanding of effective teaching and learning.

As rebel teachers, we work to improve ourselves at every opportunity and thus improve the system we are a part of. We hope that by doing everything we can to support our students, our colleagues and peers will see our example and follow suit.

Whereas a revolution tears down the institutions it opposes, a rebellion seeks to establish a better system and present it as an option, such that the old system will become obsolete and whither on the vine of progress.

As rebels, we are looking for a win-win solution.

As rebels, we assess our surroundings everyday and rethink every aspect.

As rebels, we want everybody to benefit from our movement.

As rebels, we do not aim to intimidate, but nor will we be intimidated.

As rebels, we aim to build the institutions of the future.

As rebels, we are the future.

Rethink. Rebuild. Rebel.