When I look back at my notes, I can feel a shift occurring in my mindset. A shift from thinking about sustainability as eco-friendly practices; a shift on how to move the needle as an educator in reaching hundreds of students and not having to be perfect in my sustainable art practices in order to make a difference; a shift in understanding cultural paradigms including consumer culture and how to convey the need to think long term; a shift in understanding that the earth will be fine, it’s our existence on it as human beings that we need to focus on; a shift in thinking of art not only as personal expression (as is one of Maria Montessori’s teachings on art as a means of self-construction for the adolescent) but also as a way to place ourselves within the whole of humanity – I think it can be both.
I am grateful that I work in a school culture that values art and creative expression for the individual adolescent’s growth. This lecture helps me understand how to push that thought further into art on a continuum of humankind. We can create art out of recycled materials that we find in our trash at school and make a statement but also, we can forage for our own materials in our woods and on our land and create materials from our land for future students at Hershey (this is emphasized a lot in Montessori – how to contribute to future generations of students).
Where I do feel unmoored however, is in my own lack of understanding of sustainability as a concrete term. I still feel like it’s floating around out there in my head as something I haven’t pinned down. I hope that with more time (as is usual for me in learning) with this concept and with hands on, concrete learning I will get there in understanding sustainability in the deeper way that I seek. I have not had the opportunity to think as a student in a long time and it will take a while for me to get there mentally. Juggling children, life at home, animals and classwork is challenging to me and I am grateful that this course packed full of knowledge but am also needing to be conscious of my ability to take things in bits at a time, digest it and come back to the course material for more.
Much gratitude to you all for your insights during this lecture, thoughts and the different viewpoints that you bring to the table.
Very touched and happy about your reflection Sara. Your first paragraph summarizes a lot of what I tried to share with you all on Friday and I’m happy to learn that our discussion pushed that kind of shift forward.
I think it might help you to focus more on your intentions and your feelings, rather than overwhelming yourself with terms, like “sustainability” or whatever else. These are just words. Surely it helps to dig deeper into what these words mean, but don’t stress about it. focus on your practice as a way of thinking and in time the pieces of the puzzle will all turn up. Thank you, Ivan
Hey Sarah,
I appreciate your insights and that you are staying grounded in the pace that works for you along this process. My encounters around “sustainability” have varied greatly, and I often feel it is a more or less blanket statement that has moving definitions depending on who is using it and what their motivations are.
Thank you for sharing your experience and insights. I look forward to being on this journey with you. I am curious about the Montessori philosophy but have not had time to dig in. .. it sounds like the philosophy is supportive of the integration of ecological literacy into the arts but what is lacking is the logistics and how to (?)
*sara! Sorry I added an H!
Sara,
Hearing your reflections is so reassuring. I too felt a shift after the first session. I think a both/and attitude is much more applicable to today’s world than an either/or attitude.
I agree with Ivan. Remember from our first session that sustainability is a way of thinking and by design it is adaptable and fluid. Connecting with this concept through making and doing is going to be your greatest asset.
Best,
Lizzy
yeah, the ideas or practices of sustainability are always in flux as nature. I am encouraged by your notes here.
I’m still struggling with the statement about how “the planet will be fine”. I’m feeling that it will survive humans, and I also feel that because of our footprint on this planet that the earth has suffered severely and may not recover even after we are gone. I don’t feel good about that.
Hi Sara,
I’m so appreciative of all you’re sharing here. I can relate to the shifts happening and like you, I see myself coming back to this course content again and again.
Warmest regards,
Kris