Project Description

Spirit In Action - Education Listening Project

Education Listening Project

In the summer of 2013 we interviewed 40 individuals whose words, stories and passion about the current state of education in America is helping us understand what frames are most important and relevant to education justice in 2014. Spirit in Action is proud to launch the first 10 videos as part of the Education Justice Listening Project.

Included in this round are statements from Bob George, Zakiyah Ansari, Kazu Haga, as well as others. Although only selected interviews appear in our initial series, more may follow.

For now, please consider sharing the videos of fellow education justice leaders. You can see all ten videos on our YouTube playlist.

Bob George is a peace and justice advocate with his current focus on the city of Chicago’s schools and neighborhoods. Bob is the National Director of Save Our Schools where he was an integral part of the team that brought about the initial conference, rally and March in July 2011. Today in addition, he works as a contributing member of the Kenwood Oakland Community Organization in their efforts to maintain viable neighborhood schools. Bob also is the co-editor of a living magazine and activist library. EmpathyEducates acts and advocate for equal and equitable

[formal and informal] education as an inalienable human and civil right.

As part of our 2013 Education Justice Listening Project we interviewed educators, students, parents and organizers about what’s the best path forward for improving public education. Bob George invites us reflect on our commitment to our children and The Seventh Generation.

Zakiyah Ansari is an outspoken advocate for public schools and the loudest voice on the transition team for New York City’s Mayor Bill de Blasio’s. Ansari is the advocacy director at the New York State Alliance for Quality Education, a non-profit. She first appeared on the public radar in 2007 as a parent leader for Coalition for Educational Justice. Ansari, a mother of eight, criticized the creation of charter schools, saying it set parents against each other. All her children have graduated or are studying at New York City’s public schools.

As part of our 2013 Education Justice Listening Project we interviewed educators, students, parents and organizers about what’s the best path forward for improving public education. In this clip, Zakiyah reminds us of how important public education is for us as a nation.

Kazu Haga is a nonviolence trainer and founder of the East Point Peace Academy in Oakland, California. East Point Peace Academy envisions a world where historic conflicts are fully reconciled and where new conflict arises solely as an opportunity for deeper growth. Where the depth of human relations are so high that it allows each individual to attain their fullest human potential.

Kazu works in prisons, jails, schools and communities to build a powerful, nonviolent movement of peace warriors.

As part of our 2013 Education Justice Listening Project we interviewed educators, students, parents and organizers about what’s the best path forward for improving public education.

For more information about the Education Justice Listening Project, take a look on our website.