Rafe Esquith

We believe that the best way to change schools all over the world is through ambitious, validated and scalable innovations. In HundrED we are interested in how the rapid changes taking place in the world are shaping the structure of schools, surrounding societies and every child’s daily experiences - and then sharing these insights with the world. Over the next two years we will interview 100 global thought leaders, create 100 case studies of exciting education happenings worldwide, and trial 100 new innovations in a selection of schools in Finland for one year. Our findings will be shared with the world for free. Visit: https://hundred.fi/visions Find out more at: https://hundred.org/en#header

We believe that the best way to change schools all over the world is through ambitious, validated and scalable innovations. In HundrED we are interested in how the rapid changes taking place in the world are shaping the structure of schools, surrounding societies and every child’s daily experiences - and then sharing these insights with the world. Over the next two years we will interview 100 global thought leaders, create 100 case studies of exciting education happenings worldwide, and trial 100 new innovations in a selection of schools in Finland for one year. Our findings will be shared with the world for free. Visit: https://hundred.fi/visions Find out more at: https://hundred.org/en#header

A joyfully creative and energetic teacher, Rafe Esquith delivers an unforgettable keynote-an informal state of education address-often accompanied by some of his students. He shares his methods for turning kids on to the wonder of learning, the power of the imagination, and the wealth of finding oneself. He touches on classroom issues (the best techniques for teaching various subjects, how to overcome budgetary constraints) and shows you how-by teaching them hard work, kindness, and the courage to go one's own way-his students have learned to adapt and to prosper in even the toughest of circumstances. Rafe Esquith is an upbeat, revitalizing speaker-a must-see for anyone concerned with the future success of our nation's children.

_CONFIG { "subtitle": "Rafe Esquith is an award-winning and famous American teacher who taught at Hobart Boulevard Elementary School, in Los Angeles, California, from 1984 to 2015.\ \ He taught 5th Class (5th Grade) at the School. His teaching methods were very innovative. One of the unique features of the school is that children perform Shakespeare. This has made them popular. This group of children are called 'The Hobart Shakespeareans' and this documentary is named after them.\ \ FOR ME, RAFE IS SPECIAL NOT BECAUSE OF HIS ACADEMIC TEACHING SKILLS OR BECAUSE OF SHAKESPEARE'S PLAYS, BUT BECAUSE OF HOW KIDS LEARN CHARACTER IN HIS CLASS. THAT IS EXPLAINED PARTIALLY IN THIS DOCUMENTARY. YOU NEED TO READ \"TEACH LIKE YOUR HAIR'S ON FIRE\" BOOK FOR THAT.\ \ 6 WAYS OF CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT\ https://youtu.be/j81-44ADf74\ \ QUESTION TO ASK CHATGPT\ How does Rafe Esquith teach Character to Children in his class?\ \ AWARDS\ He has won many awards: \ - 1992 Teacher of the Year Award (given by The Walt Disney Company's American Teacher Awards)\ - A Fellowship from Johns Hopkins University\ - Oprah Winfrey’s $100,000 \"Use Your Life Award\"\ - Parents Magazine’s \"As You Grow Award\"\ - National Medal of Arts\ \ Also, he was made an honorary Member of the Order of the British Empire.\ \ WEBSITES\ https://www.hobartshakespeareans.org\ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rafe_Esquith\ \ QUOTES FROM RAFE'S BOOK: TEACH LIKE YOUR HAIR'S ON FIRE\ \"In a world that considers athletes and pop stars more important than research scientists and firefighters, it has become practically impossible to develop kind and brilliant individuals. And yet we’ve created a different world in Room 56 [the classroom]. It’s a world where character matters, hard work is respected, humility is valued, and support for one another is unconditional.\"\ \ \"No one asks them questions regarding character, honesty, morality, or generosity of spirit. In Room 56 these are the issues of true importance.\"\ \ \"These are children who bravely walk roads less travelled. They are kind when their world is mean and work incredibly hard when others give up. These kids do not make excuses. They seize opportunities and give all who meet them hope for the future.\"\ \ \"Never forget that the kids watch you constantly. They model themselves after you, and you have to be the person you want them to be. I want my students to be nice and to work hard. That means I had better be the nicest and hardest-working person they have ever met. Don’t even think of trying to deceive your kids. They are much too sharp for that.\"\ \ \"...when they are young they have no language to describe the sort of thinking they are doing. In the first couple of weeks of school, I introduce my class to the Six Levels.\"\ https://youtu.be/j81-44ADf74\ \ \"The Hobart Shakespeareans meet and rehearse after school. We do this for two reasons. First, by asking students to volunteer for the activity, we weed out children who might not want to work as diligently as the rest of us. This is not a project for the disinterested. The production will consume a year of their lives. It means giving up things like television, video games, and pop-culture minutiae. It’s serious business. Second, meeting after school allows students from other classes to join the fun. We are not an exclusive club. Anyone who is willing to be nice and work hard can participate...The actual performances at the end of the year are fun —it’s always nice to be on the receiving end of a standing ovation—but the real reward is in the work itself. No amount of applause can compare to the journey of discovery the kids undertake, the thousands of hours of work that go into making each production extraordinary. The process is all.\"\ \ \"Racism, poverty, and ignorance often reign supreme on campus. Add to this mix ungrateful students, and even mean-spirited people in the teaching profession itself, and the hardiest of souls can be crushed. Each defeat usually means that a child’s true potential will not be developed...And yet we’ve created a different world in Room 56. It’s a world where character matters, hard work is respected, humility is valued, and support for one another is unconditional.\"", "section_title": "Rafe Esquith", "order": [] }