The Influence of Teachers:

Reflections on Teaching and Leadership

By: John Merrow

“The program… recognized that

kids love to play and compete”

(Merrow, 2011, p. 40).

“…schools and teachers have to learn to get out of

their way.”

“Mr Peha elaborated on this idea: ‘It’s the traditions of schools that take the fun

out of learning. It’s the mindless focus on product

over process and participation. It’s

discovering that school is not about you. It’s teachers who have

forgotten that teaching is fun who take the fun out of learning” (Merrow, 2011, p.

41).

“Have we forgotten that

kids are people, too”(Merrow, 2011, p. 42)?

“Parents should take note that they contribute to a climate of “intellectual

danger” (Merrow, 2011,

p. 43).

“Schools must encourage the idea of rational

persuasion” (Merrow, 2011,

p. 44).

“And Kohn believes that competition

undermines a school’s sense of community” (Merrow, 2011,

p. 45).

“Schools should be

democratically run, and that

high school kids should be part

of the leadership”

(Merrow, 2011, p. 47).