Educating for Human Greatness

In this wise and perceptive book, veteran public school teacher/administrator Lynn Stoddard surveys the current state of public education in America and concludes that things have gone terribly wrong. His solution is to have parents and educators start by realizing that standardization in education is neither possible or effective. Only then can they focus on creating schools that truly educate for human greatness.

To create such schools Stoddard proposes that parents, teachers, administrators and school board members keep six cardinal principles constantly in mind:

• Value Positive Human Diversity and Cherish Every Student’s Uniqueness
• Draw Out and Develop Each Child’s Latent Talents
• Respect the Autonomy of the Individual by Restoring Freedom and Responsibility
• Invite Inquiry, Curiosity, and Hunger for Knowledge in the Classroom
• Support Professionalism as Teachers Live by these Principles
• Parents and Teachers Unite to Help Children Grow in Human Greatness

Educating for Human Greatness deserves an honored place on the reading list of every parent who really cares about the future of their children, every teacher and administrator who puts students first in their professional lives, and every school board member who wants schools to be places where student development is a reality, not just a slogan.