Most college-level education courses only allude to alternative theories of education in a perfunctory manner, if at all, which confines future educators to the conventional methods of education.
If you support the rights of teachers and students to connect through the natural process of learning -- when children are emotionally, physically and cognitively engaged -- then please sign this Letter of Support for the Ohio State University Holistic Education focus area. Its existence creates a vison and a possibility for other universities to emulate, but it is on the verge of disappearing due to lack of continued support!
Don't let this program disappear. Tell the Dean you support Holistic Education! YOUR voice and actions matter! SIGN the Letter of Support and SPREAD THE WORD!
We, the undersigned, are individuals who care deeply about children and the world challenges they are facing. We have noticed the influence on our children when teachers experience the joy of true connection with children and the natural process of learning, and witnessed the transformative power of educational approaches which involve the social, emotional, cognitive, spiritual and physical aspects of our children.
We aspire for these approaches to be educational options available to all children.
We are committed to supporting efforts among universities to expose their students of education to theories and methods which cultivate the diverse, dynamic and distinct potentials and passions of each child. Although there is general agreement about the detriments of a "one size fits all" approach to education, the exposure and exploration of innovative educational approaches is often missing or limited on the university level.
The fact that Ohio State University offers a breadth and depth of coursework in Holistic Education establishes the university as distinct and visionary among Level 1 Research Universities. This perception is strengthened by the mounting and substantial evidence from a variety of fields, supporting the practice of addressing the "whole child", and integrating the mind, body and heart in the learning process.
We are grateful to Ohio State University's School of Teaching and Learning, College of Education and Human Ecology for supporting Holistic Education and ask you to consider pledging your continued support of this focus area.
