David is an edu-agitator who has explored what education is for many years through his work on Liberatory Design. In this interview we hear a lot about David’s childhood and his own education and how that has shaped the person he has become today and what he does. We also talk about the school he co-founded – the East Bay School for Boys (https://eastbayschoolforboys.tumblr.com). This is one of those interviews where we talk about a wide range of topics – from the word curiosity, to white male privilege, working as an artist, the power of creativity and the future of “school”. I think you’ll enjoy it – it would be in my own top 10.
Liberatory Design: https://nationalequityproject.org/services/liberatory-design
TEDxChristchurch description: http://www.tedxchristchurch.com/david-clifford
Article on DSX: https://dschool.stanford.edu/news-events/how-might-we-reimagine-high-school
Big praise to TEDxChristchurch team, it was great to support what you did the past weekend. And thanks Rebecca Robertson for the intro to David on the Friday night – and for finding out that you are a fan of seeds!
For more interviews visit www.theseeds.nz or search seeds in podcast apps.
A reflection inspired by the conversation:
Edu-agitator
That teacher who believed
in you. It was decades ago
but the memory is fresh.
Who saw potential
where others saw none.
I can see the tears rising as I ask
“What shaped him that way?”
You’re not sure. He just was.
But perhaps someone played that role
in his life too.
A catalyst for finding meaning
for so many ships setting out.
What does his legacy mean
for us, for me. How do I go about
not trying to inscribe my name
on stone buildings that will crumble
but inputting into lives,
weaving into hearts
that beat and grow.
I give myself permission
to laugh, to cry, to ask questions
I give myself permission
To embrace others
I give myself permission
To stay curious
I give myself permission
To be truly present
