Ken Seifert
November 19, 2009 05:57 am When I read the article written by Meredith Price about Ted Sizer, former Phillips headmaster from 1972 to 1981, I was deeply moved by the memories. For almost 10 years I had the good fortune to be working in the same town with one of the greatest education visionaries in our history. When you personally know and witness someone with unselfishness, vision, objectivity, and a sense of humanity you are compelled to say something about such a person. Sizer was one of the most intellectually honest and ego-detached persons I have known. His perspective on education, schooling and moral imperatives exuded from his personality. We shared many luncheons at the Andover Inn. Sometimes they were more like seminars on what makes a good school. I must admit I did more listening than speaking on such occasions. No matter how small the item he was passionate about what he thought. It was infectious. He was an extremely logical man and could discuss issues based on the merit of the idea and not his feelings. However he was a very empathetic man and considered the impact an idea would have on people. He was also a courageous man. He spoke his beliefs without fear or concern he might be alone in his thought. On one occasion we discussed the sharing of resources for the mutual benefit of children. He said if Phillips Academy had extra seats in some of its classes with a low teacher pupil ratio, Andover public school children could audit the course. We worked out a process over a cup of Henry Broekhoff's soup. I went back to the high school and within a week we had five students auditing Chinese Language classes. They had to provide their own transportation. I think Ted could see the role China would play in the world's future. I gave him a similar offer to audit classes in our high school. He was also a pragmatist. He said, "How could I defend sending private school students to a public school? The alumni and parents would be all over my back." He would have fought the battle. I thanked him for the offer and many of our children took advantage. In 15 minutes you could share an intended strategy. He would give you the merits of the idea and proceed to tell you where the alligators in the swamp were. He was a patient man but did not waste his time. After the Phillips experience, he launched his ideas on the national and world scene. Walter Annenberg, a publisher gave him $50 million to dream. He chose Brown University as his dream center creating the Annenberg Institute for School Reform. In a short time, Brown was one of the most exciting places for teaching and learning in the country. It was here that he established one of the finest innovations in 50 years, the Coalition for Essential Schools. For more information, just Google the topic. To be candid, if one examines what it proposes, it makes most practices in today's schools look like the 1920s. It emphasizes the power of individual teachers and schools as the hope of the future. It provides assessments that answer the basic question: what do you know and how can you show it? I wish I had taped his comments on MCAS and No Child Left Behind. I asked him why he did not put emphasis on school systems as opposed to individual teachers and schools. He said it was a practical matter. The political and traditional barriers are much too time consuming and the payoff is minimal. It takes courage and the collective will of the community to move forward. I argued my disagreement with his premise. He told me, "Do what you think. I wish you the best of luck." I must admit I am beginning to accept his point of view. I hope that someday school systems can be a source of significant change. Every so often in our human history there are bright lights who point the way and devote their lives to a cause, until their last breath on earth. When they move on, where they go is still one of the greatest mysteries to be solved, unless you have faith. One thing for sure is Ted Sizer will be the dean of the Galactic School of Education. He is already forming a Coalition of Essential Planets. Thank you, Ted.] Ken Seifert is a 40-year Andover resident and former superintendent of schools.
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