I recently watched a video interview that included Tim Ferriss, of Four Hour Workweek Fame.  He was asked about what he has learned, and continues to learn, about writing.  I am a very mediocre writer, so I am constantly looking for active tips on how to become more effective when writing (and typing) my thoughts down.  Ferriss talks about a great way to work one’s way through “writer’s block” is to write about something you are angry about.  It sounds like great advice, but I decided to put it into action after a recent conversation at a dinner event.

I am a founding board member of a proposed charter school here in MA.  I am proud of the work we are trying to do, and especially proud of the experienced and passionate team that I am humbled to work with.  Education, and progressive education in particular, can be a very delicate subject, and especially with certain personality archetypes.  In this instance, I was in a conversation with a current high school teacher at a local public school.  Her neighbor’s oldest child was recently admitted into a well respected charter school in the area, this person had very strong opinions against charter schools.  The conversation included:

​Be informed before you judge.

• Why would you send your kid to a school where no one is required to have a master’s degree?
• What teacher would work at a school when you have to work 8am-4pm?​
• I used to work at a charter school, and I had a bad experience because it was run by business people”​

I admit, I got caught up and irritated during the conversation, and I probably should not have even attempted to convince this person of what I understand charter schools to be and why I believe in the one I am involved with.  it is difficult to argue with an “uninformed opinionated” person.​

“Individuals and nations owe it to themselves and the world to become informed.”

— Paul Harris

This is neither a piece about whether or not charter schools are good or bad.  Nor is it a piece about the state of the U.S. education system, and what we may need to do to improve it.  ​

It is about making sure that we are well informed before we formulate an opinion.  I am not a saint in this regard, I have done my share of being stubborn and thinking I know things when I obviously do not.  In an age where information can be found in a heartbeat, it is imperative that we teach our young people to become informed before formulating an opinion.  

In addition, we must be open minded enough to have a respectful debate in which one admits that their opinion is wrong; therefore changing your mind as you’ve gathered new information.  This is the sign of a thoughtful human being; a person of integrity and warmth.  Let us be accountable to this starting today.  Not just for us, but for our youth.  Let us set the example.