Summary of Keynote: Dr. Carla Shalaby | Teaching Love & Learning Freedom: Practicing Human Being

Main Ideas and Concepts

• Teaching Love and Learning Freedom
  • The concept of "human being" is framed as a verb, emphasizing that it requires active practice and skill-building.
  • The rejection of a culture of disposability is essential; every person has inherent value and should never be treated as "throwaway."
• Safety vs. Control
  • Incompatibility: Safety cannot exist where there is control. Control hinders the ability to learn and practice freedom responsibly.
  • Redefining Safety: Safety is defined as the ability to be one’s whole self in community, without threats to well-being. It is both a right and a responsibility.
• Punishment vs. Accountability
  • Punishment and accountability are not synonymous. True accountability cannot be imposed; it must be self-driven.
  • The process of accountability involves recognizing one’s role in conflicts, understanding the impact of actions, and working toward repair.
• Human Being as a Practice
  • Engaging in human being involves ongoing practice of care, responsibility, and community engagement.
  • Care is contrasted with kindness; care involves systemic changes that ensure inclusivity and address communal needs.
• Cultural Interventions
  • The talk emphasizes the need to shift educational practices from punitive measures to restorative and inclusive approaches that promote belonging and care.
  • Engaging students in discussions about their behaviors and their impacts fosters a sense of community and responsibility.

Methodology and Instructions

• Moment of Silence: Begin discussions with a moment of silence to acknowledge loss and grief.
• Defining Freedom:
  • Freedom is framed as a dual responsibility: ensuring one’s own safety and the safety of others.
  • Engage in discussions about freedom as a collective responsibility.
• Behavioral Expectations:
  • Shift from punitive rules to invitations for care and responsibility.
  • Use community-generated definitions of safety to guide behavior in schools.
• Accountability Steps:
  • Recognize and own one's role in conflicts.
  • Name the impact of actions on others.
  • Engage in planning a way forward collaboratively.
• Curriculum Integration:
  • Incorporate discussions on communal needs and justice into the curriculum.
  • Use inclusive practices in classroom management and community building.

Speakers or Sources Featured

• Dr. Carla Shalaby: Keynote speaker discussing the themes of love, freedom, and the practice of human being.
• Naomi Shihab Nye: Poet whose works are referenced for their relevance to the themes discussed (specifically the poems "Shoulders" and "Red Brocade").
• Molly Costello: Artist whose work is used for social justice messaging in educational settings.

This summary captures the essence of Dr. Carla Shalaby's keynote on fostering a culture of love, responsibility, and community within educational frameworks, emphasizing the importance of redefining safety, accountability, and human connection.

Notable Quotes

— 08:00 — « Your freedom depends on my action so freedom is my responsibility if it is to be your right. »

— 10:46 — « Punishment encourages lying, it encourages denial and it encourages the avoidance of consequences. »

— 11:28 — « Accountability is encouraging someone to change their behavior because of the harm and the impact on somebody else. »

— 40:05 — « There is never a such thing as a throwaway person. »

— 40:50 — « You wash the plate not because it's dirty nor because you're told to wash it but because you love the person who will use it next. »

Category

Educational

Video