Prior to beginning work on this discussion forum, review the article Leadership for Social Justice:
Preparing 21st Century School Leaders for a New Social Order. Several themes seen throughout the MAECEL program include social justice, leadership, and 21st-century learning. All the MAECEL courses reinforce these topics to deepen your understanding of the concepts. This discussion is your first examination of these concepts in which you will defend and define your commitment to practicing them as an ECE professional and leader.
In your initial post,
• Explain the importance of quality, innovative leadership in early childhood education.
Defend the need for this kind of leadership and provide research to support your position.
• Explain the importance of fostering social justice, equity pedagogies, and culturally relevant teaching in early childhood settings. Defend the need for social justice and equity and provide research to support your position.
• Defend the importance of 21st-century learning in early childhood settings. Defend the need for this kind of learning in early childhood and provide research to support your position.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Discussion Forum: Commitment to Leadership for Social Justice in Early Childhood Education
The Importance of Quality, Innovative Leadership in Early Childhood Education
Quality leadership in early childhood education (ECE) is crucial for fostering an environment that prioritizes the well-being and development of young children. Innovative leaders are pivotal in implementing new ideas, practices, and strategies that improve educational outcomes.
Defending Innovative Leadership
Research indicates that effective leadership directly correlates with positive educational experiences for children. According to a study by the Wallace Foundation, school leaders significantly impact student achievement and can influence teaching quality through supportive measures (Wallace Foundation, 2013). Innovative leaders foster a culture of collaboration, encourage professional development, and adapt to changing educational landscapes, which is essential in our rapidly evolving society.
In addition, innovative leadership promotes the integration of technology and modern pedagogical methods that cater to diverse learning styles. The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) emphasizes the importance of leaders who encourage creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills in young learners (NAEYC, 2020).
The Importance of Fostering Social Justice, Equity Pedagogies, and Culturally Relevant Teaching
Fostering social justice and equity in early childhood settings ensures that all children receive fair access to quality education, regardless of their background. Social justice in ECE involves recognizing and addressing systemic inequities that affect marginalized communities.
Defending Social Justice and Equity
Research supports the need for social justice and equity pedagogies in early childhood education. A report by the National Education Association (NEA) highlights that equitable education leads to improved academic performance and emotional well-being among students from diverse backgrounds (NEA, 2016). It states that culturally relevant teaching practices enhance children’s engagement and improve their academic outcomes by validating their cultural identities.
Moreover, early exposure to social justice concepts helps children develop empathy and critical thinking skills. According to the work of Derman-Sparks and Edwards (2010), integrating social justice education into early childhood curricula fosters children’s understanding of diversity and prepares them to be active participants in a democratic society.
The Importance of 21st-Century Learning in Early Childhood Settings
The concept of 21st-century learning encompasses a range of skills necessary for success in today’s world, including critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity. Implementing these skills in early childhood settings equips children with the tools they need to thrive.
Defending 21st-Century Learning
Research indicates that incorporating 21st-century learning skills into early childhood education is essential for preparing children for future challenges. The Partnership for 21st Century Skills emphasizes that students need to learn not only core subjects but also life skills such as adaptability, initiative, and effective communication (Partnership for 21st Century Skills, 2015).
Moreover, integrating technology in early childhood classrooms helps children develop digital literacy from a young age. A study published in the Journal of Educational Technology & Society found that technology-enhanced learning environments promote engagement and motivation among young learners (Hattie & Yates, 2014).
Conclusion
In conclusion, quality and innovative leadership in early childhood education is vital for enhancing educational outcomes for children. By promoting social justice, equity pedagogies, and culturally relevant teaching, we can ensure that every child receives an inclusive education that respects their identity. Furthermore, embracing 21st-century learning equips children with the necessary skills to navigate an increasingly complex world. As an ECE professional and leader, I am committed to advocating for these principles to foster a more equitable and effective educational landscape.
References
– Derman-Sparks, L., & Edwards, J. O. (2010). Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves. National Association for the Education of Young Children.
– Hattie, J., & Yates, G. (2014). Visible Learning and the Science of How We Learn. Routledge.
– National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). (2020). Advancing Equity in Early Childhood Education.
– National Education Association (NEA). (2016). Equity in Education: A Review of Research.
– Partnership for 21st Century Skills. (2015). Framework for 21st Century Learning.
– Wallace Foundation. (2013). The School Leadership Challenge: A Call to Action.
