“Operation Snowball”
Participatory democracy in education/schools match theory and practice in this bottom up organizational model.
Yesterday I participated in an activity designed by educators , facilitated by teachers, and operated by students and young leaders.The radical design of this organization required both shared ritual and common visions of cooperation to learn together. What was so remarkable (or not so remarkable for those of us participating) was this group is not run to profit (unpaid staff and volunteers), kids have a voice in both its creation and development, and the vast majority of the kids leave both affirmed as individuals and equal parts of a greater humanity/ whole.
We shared both the beauty of human potential and provided anecdotal evidence of our capacity to cooperate for the good of all. It was an ecumenical, secular , and spiritual. Operation Snowball was driven by a desire to find value in every individual. A snowball of love , if you will.
And on a personal note , it was evidence to me that teachers who give and share their love openly and unconditionally, receive a much greater reward ... eternal life! My friend and colleague Steve Mazzerella shared that with me yesterday with his great courage... the love he gave from 35 years of service, is most certainly equal to the love he has received. That is our miracle.
