It's About to Get Uncomfortable: Education in America | Matt Beaudreau | TEDxSantaCruz

What would it look like to truly collaborate on the future of our schools with all stakeholders, from kindergartners to administrators? Educator Matt Beaudreau argues that alternative and democratic schools are successfully challenging existing educational paradigms, and embracing a radically collaborative approach that could change the face of education for America's children. Hang on-- it's about to get uncomfortable.
Matt Beaudreau is vice principal at Adventure Christian School in Roseville and a teacher trainer with the Center for Teacher Effectiveness. With his nickname, Education Dude, he has given keynote speeches at education conferences and worked with more than 10,000 educators across the country. He is the lead on a committee to build a state-of-the-art high school in Northern California.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@judyyero925]

Couldn't agree more...but educational policy makers know there is "something better"--they send their own kids to those schools!...and yet they insist that public schools must retain one size fits all mentality, telling students what, how and when to learn for 12 years. Learner-centered/progressive schools have existed for years--for those who can afford to send their kids there. Their graduates are independent thinkers, lifelong learners, and kids who grow into caring, responsible adults who ask difficult questions and recognize their own ability to change the world. One has to wonder if that's what those in power do NOT want...because it would create a citizenry that would be much more difficult to govern and control.

[@eddude9720]

+Judy Yero Exactly! One only need to explore the history of the industrial design we continue to perpetuate to understand that a proper education was never first or foremost on the agenda. Thanks for the comment!

[@sarayoung5688]

+Judy Yero Well said. Not EVERYone is wondering... some of us are pretty sure. I was lucky enough to go to one of those non-affordable schools when I was in grade 2, but only for half of the year, partly because of the expense, and partly because my learning style was even less structured than theirs, which was definitely better than regular school. I think I would have done better if I had been able to go for longer, because really part of my issues were with adjustment, and it was an enormous shift to get used to this relaxed environment being my new normal. I kept waiting for the bell... Then later, when I reentered the mainstream school I was re-traumatized by the ... loud. Everything loud happening all at once, with 500 + students, having just come from a maximum of 15 students in my room and like 60 in the whole school... I was in that school from mid second until I finished the 6th grade. I was passed along with barely a D each year because I was "tall" for my age, and they didn't want the younger crowd to be uncomfortable around me. That's what we were told. I'm nearing 40 now and watching my special kiddo go through the resource room program and it's going to be so much easier for him in school than it was for me, knowing now about him, what we didn't know then, about me. However, it's still a struggle, a battle, actually, and I'm not the only parent who is tired of butting up against a system that's designed to make the mainstream students dumb enough to follow instructions and smart enough not to think too much about they are owing far more than they can possibly hope to earn in their lifetime, AND afford to live. I have very little hope that the system designed for the special needs children is really any different in it's ultimate goal. The basic goal for how his supports are, is basically to try to mirror as best as possible, a normal school schedule, with a shift of at least six to eight subjects each day expected. We reduced his school days to start later in the morning, so he could be more ON more of the time while there, and it's working nicely but his days are still very full and when he returns home, he is exhausted. Also there isn't anything to address the needs of adult learners not having thousands upon thousands of dollars to go to college or university, and yet require a modicum of guidance and possibly sounding-boards for their learning.

[@MohamedAhmed-ni3im]

man. This what felt but I couldn't articulate it. I lacked meaning and purpose in my school.

[@SugaryPhoenixxx]

You are a smart lady Judy!

[@MargotBrown]

Watching this March 2020- I am so glad (for my young kids) I found this video. Thank you!

[@RaginDragn24]

Random person: "Sir, think of something creative!" Me: "im sorry, school ruined my creativity years ago, if you have troubles with our customer service, call 1800-real-life."

[@paulgirdwood1154]

Hi Matt, brilliantly delivered man! If we going to war I am in the trenches right behind you. You and I both have a responsibility to the kids in our lives to keep on until there is change. We have to redefine our role which weirdly feels completely natural like how could it have been any other way. Massive respect to you man.

[@nicklespale22]

I've always imagined one day walking in a large university campus among geniuses of all variety, where everyone specializes in something of their own. Like, imagine everyone around you, an Expert in their own field on every possible imaginable thing there was to study, all in one place. I've gone a long time believing that place must've been Harvard; and then I did my research. Ivy league schools aren't much apart from a typical university institution, save for their admirable passing rates.

[@sk8ingthemystery]

Nickle Spale go to any large school and you'll find that 70% of the students are complete idiots

[@xeno4693]

Nickle Spale when i was a kid i use to think that you could choose whatever classes you wanted. For example, instead of following a schedule, you could pick art, music, gym, english, and living environment and then go straight home. Turns out its nothing like that

[@fabbioareche4299]

This is exactly what I want to do. Its my dream to open up a Sudbury school. Where can I find out more about the process of doing so?

[@pbbabe1998]

Does anyone know where I can find the full script of this speech? I am thinking of using part of it for a forensics piece. Thank you.

[@martinsop1567]

"It take all of us to be willing to get uncomfortable" I liked this one

[@phyliciajoykloes]

Yes! This is a great speech!

[@AlcNetwork]

Some wise words, Matt. Thanks for the shoutout!

[@eddude9720]

+Agile Learning Centers Keep up the great work!

[@paolaalexandra483]

What wise words? He lives in Utopia!

[@caracrabtree715]

I live in MA, good luck if you can afford to live near Sudbury. I've watched our public schools for a few decades now and these kids aren't learning anything except basic reading and writing math and study for the standard tests. I've seen so much waste of skill or talent, because of our factory schools.

[@artofficialbrain]

People's responses are amazing... I see that your active in the comments so it might've saved me from finding you on some other social medium! My wife and I homeschool and we're looking to reinvent the entire approach because it's just not working. I'm interested in some reading materials or other media resources that cover this more elaborately. Any suggestions?

[@cmchandelier]

Courage to Grow is a good start…

[@kevinwilcox8499]

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.

[@user-mp8ts6pq3e]

。g十g喔喔哦欸案愛健康。。。 。。。。。好，。。兇殺愛

[@juice1443]

I'm in middle school. And my teachers think they are better then all student. One of my teachers will be rude to me if I ask how they are, or congrats on having one of there kids get married. I think what he said about the age thing Is something I really agreed on.

[@koneko3774]

I love this so much!

[@paolaalexandra483]

What exactly do you "love" about this "so much"?

[@usoppfangirl8153]

I feel as if I'm a wolf in a huge herd of sheep when I'm in school

[@Ty-tq2kj]

Rather be a big fish in a small Pond, than a small fish in a big pond.

[@computerfraudandabuseactof43]

Cringe

[@loganangus9326]

@@computerfraudandabuseactof43 a wolf in a room full of sheep who feel that they are wolves

[@BullishlyOptimistic]

I'd like to see the actual model you're talking about and the results of such a school. I can't imagine the students I've taught performing in this kind of environment, when all they want to do is play fortnight (sp?...I don't really care if I got it right) and sit around staring at their phones. Heaven forbid they...just...do...their...work...without arguing and asking, "Why? Why? Why? Why? For real? Ugh! Why are you making me do that?" Any links to your work/results?

[@noamnadam310]

Good talk... though it doesn’t say that democratic schools cost money and lots of it... don’t get me wrong I went to a democratic school and I’m a great supporter of this education system but let’s not just say “it’s great! Everybody should go there!” Without looking at the costs of this decision- it costs money, you should be aware that your kids won’t always go in the path you thought of, and the feel is completely different. I fit into that un-molded mold, but I have three older siblings that didn’t, it’s true your school should fit you, and not the other way around, but that’s exactly the point, sometimes kids just don’t need to choose- I needed to have a voice and a choice as a kid but that’s not necessarily true for everyone... and it doesn’t matter if I think that how things should be or not...

[@rich8304]

Id like to see voucher schools based on a curriculum that starts with IQ ,aptitude, interest personality, gender. and instills a sense of self responsibility.

[@daniella93465]

Yy

[@mr.sneeze7255]

What's he saying at 3:28-3:30? Can somebody catch the words?

[@eddude9720]

Atsushi Saitoh - "school has mostly failed Jon"

[@mr.sneeze7255]

Thanks a lot! I've been trying to translate your speech into Japanese for some friends of mine who are interested in alternative schools. Your comment is really helpful! :)

[@eddude9720]

Glad to help! Let me know if you have any questions.

[@ZocNad]

If you enjoyed this, I would recommend The Teenage Liberation Handbook: How to Quit School and Get a Real Life and Education by Grace Llewellyn

[@ericfernandez6482]

4 years ago and everything is still the same smh

[@endigosun]

Young kids haven’t acquired the knowledge, skill, or life experience required to “teach themselves”. That’s what adults are here for... and we’re failing them.

[@christinesakyi7365]

Arrogance is what is wrong with the education system in America along with infrastructure, foreign wars etc.

[@oscarsharkslayer]

This is all super-obvious, and yet, in non-English world, hardly anybody heard of democratic schools. If change in the US is hard, imagine Europe! In Germany, you cannot even homeschool. If only there were more Germans who understand English. However, they attend school so they do not learn effectively. In addition, there is an obsession with restricting digital devices. As if society conspired not to teach kids. Instead of learning English and watching this lecture, kids go to school, cram English grammar, forget it, and the circle of ignorance continues. More school, less learning.

[@oxytocin1175]

pog

[@jelinski4502]

I so much struggle with how these ways of thinking are preparing students to fill the skills gap in our country. I do not think this approach is very realistic after the primary grades. I think you are wrong about the testing and evaluation in real life. I get evaluated by my supervisor on a regular basis. As a welder, I get evaluated every day on the quality of my work, whether it meets code or not. The reality is that we need students who take pride in being patient and focused enough to learn a skill set, who can show up to work on time and who understand that for the greater good, and just because the person who signs their paychecks told them so, they may have to do things they don’t like and that have no intrinsic value.

[@abshir4133]

They may have to do things they don't like and that have no intrinsic value!! Man you must be a genius

[@dennisr.levesque2320]

Matt, I want you to listen to my story. So, I won't start out by saying you're screwed up. But, I must say that you confuse standardized tests with standardized persons. In 5th grade, I was put into an accelerated math class. I had to take both the regular and advanced class at the same time. I didn't do so well. I was taken off of it. In Junior High, I wanted to take Algebra. They wouldn't let me, because they thought I couldn't hack it. I went to the office and pleaded with them, promising to always do my homework and whatever else. They let me take it. I kept my word. I got straight "A"s. But, what good would that be, if nobody knew what an "A" was, because every school/class had their own "standards"? In other words, what good are words if everybody has their own definition for them? Do you also want a non-standardized dictionary? And don't confuse that with Encryption.

[@oscarsharkslayer]

Well schooled boy! You need your A to feel good about yourself. God forbid others could get their A undeservedly. Matt speaks of learning for the love of learning. Not to please mama, principal, or well-schooled girls in the schoolyard. Not only is school bad for learning, it is also bad for understanding the value of learning.

[@dennisr.levesque2320]

@@oscarsharkslayer I need my A for others to feel good about my credentials. "Street smarts" are all well and good, but are only recognized by those around you. They/that doesn't translate to the public at-large. I didn't go to school to school to please anyone, but myself. I was a drop-out. Facing the Viet Nam draft, and not having having anything going on to stop it, I took the bull by the horns and went to the recruiter to enlist, avoiding the draft (while a lot of others burnt their draft cards and went to Canada) and picking my job instead of being assigned one. He told me I couldn't get what I wanted without a High-school diploma. So, I went back to school, graduated, and took my diploma back to the recruiter and told him to sign me up. I was an electrician in the Nuclear Power Program. And I spent a successful service time on a submarine, far away from any war/fighting. And that's the way I wanted it to be. And, I wouldn't have been able to do that without school-smarts or street-smarts. And, I still say, "Just because you didn't find anything relevant in school, doesn't make it worthless.". Going to school DOES NOT prevent anyone from getting "street-smarts". If you really love to learn, school is a good short-cut around the "school of hard-knocks". It helps to have a teacher (a learning mentor). But, maybe you just didn't want to be "un-cool". Did school damage your ego?

[@cs8782]

I don't lose sleep for the kids sewing my sheets, or the ones stitching my sneaks, as long as I can buy 'em both cheap. American privilege, is blurring my vision, inherited sickness. Bish, don’t kill my vibe.

[@1911beauty]

oh pleaseee! those non traditional methods work for students who are behaved and able to read!

[@ramon2008]

Yeah. Silly presentation.

[@truthskr7127]

Agreed that the school system needs change, and professors/teachers are not afraid to get uncomfortable, the bad ones might be. With that being said, this idea is a disaster. Having students make decisions about who gets hired, fired and budgeting input? The dynamic with learning should always be master and apprentice. Respect needs to be learned on the side of the student, with a knowledge that someone will always know more than you - learning is a lifelong pursuit.

[@bukhoryashwin2209]

USA is not of that!!!

[@eldonbrown742]

He's so smart that he is not making sense!

[@Friseal1]

Interesting to see someone advocating taking what has already been highly popular home education models and apply it to public/general education. But the idea that students are "equal" to their educators is foolishness. As human beings, certainly! But as viable decision makers, not so. A "true democracy" is not a good idea for any successful society for it's just another name for "mob rule." That's why the USA is actually a democratic republic.

[@eddude9720]

I would argue that the decision making of the students would shock you, but that the decisions being made are also in the context of how to treat one and other, sensible school behaviors, etc. These are not life or death decisions by any means, and nobody needs another person of any age to tell them what they are interested in.

[@rosiemc719]

lol captain obvious

[@LDSpecialist1]

This guy is 35? ...He has not lived long enough yet ...Try teaching for 5 decades ... Has he had any training in cognitive development? ....I doubt it ... 6, 7, 12 year olds are not qualified to make decisions on hiring personnel or determining academic curriculum ... I would not want him for my child's teacher ...

[@nanoelbatero57]

LDSpecialist1 yes we students should decide the curriculum because first of all we’re taught USELESS THINGS IN SCHOOL, second of all some teachers are just bad at teachings, AND YALL BARELY LETS US LEARN WHAT WE WANNA LEARN AND ONLY CARE ABOUT TEST SCORES

[@LDSpecialist1]

Nano, how old are YOU? ....

[@nanoelbatero57]

LDSpecialist1 17

[@LDSpecialist1]

Nano, You ARE showing your age ... Find the wise elders ...listen to them ...Sadly, not all teachers are the best ...but there are some good ones ...The lecturer in this video is not one of them ...

[@ohmusicsweetmusic]

another education celebrity wanna-be. Cute, well spoken, nice smile.... let's see how he does in an urban all black school. Clueless.

[@eddude9720]

Funny you should say that. I actually grew up in an urban school, and started my educational career as a public school teacher in a school with about 3 white children, total. I did quite well there for many years. The fact that I have students who I taught in that environment that have continued to seek me out as adults to thank me for speaking into their lives makes me think I might not have been as "clueless" as you guessed. :) By the way: no celebrity status desired. Guess you didn't have it all figured out, but thanks for watching, and for calling me cute. I'm flattered.

[@nicklespale22]

I had a friend named John in high school who was just so full of character, funny, street smart, and inspiring dare I say it. A tall black young man who everyone knew and talked to from time to time. But there was something different about him than anyone else, something that made him the most popular yet ghetto goofball of them all. To me he was king of the regular class, a group of students that would be almost as if set down a path of easy non-honors or AP curricular route, and students of whom had little to no association with the advanced path students like I was. But John was one of the few that knew well and socialized regularly with both classes of students. He could talk to anyone on a level that they could relate, and respect him, and he would always end up the looking the wiser/cooler of two people. He had a charisma like no other and his audience was mainly on the gym's basketball floor. I believe he was on the team for some time too.Now never would it occur to me from his position and intellect that John wasn't actually doing much for school work (and neither was I honestly). Come graduation, I receive my diploma with a 2.09 gpa and John doesn't... It was never fair to me how someone like me could pass high school and he, the great John, couldn't. Sorry for the paragraph, I just felt like our John's were similar lol and I'm researching points for a quick persuasive speech on the system of schooling at it's current state.

[@paolaalexandra483]

Exactly.

[@alipiofernandes1]

Einstein is not a model for anything, people still giving him credit to things that was even his ideia...

[@eddude9720]

No credit given. Point wasn't about him- it was just about students in general. Agree that he sometimes gets credit where it is not due!

[@JoachimderZweite]

This is rubbish and the top education achievement countries would never consider it which is why they are also top economies as well as producers of highly educated students.

[@couchforsale3548]

Sounds like something a brainwashed sheep would say.

[@christinesakyi7365]

Arrogance is what is wrong with the education system in America along with infrastructure, foreign wars etc.