Club Meeting: Education – A Crisis of Relevance

Former school administrator Michael C. Johnson will give a presentation on the inadequacies of our current system of public education. He is concerned that our current instructional approaches and curriculum expectations are vestiges of the past, rather than directions that will adequately prepare students for their futures. Further, he remains convinced that our current educational system lacks the opportunity for many students to realize personal relevance with their studies. Finally, he is adamant in his belief that the American public education system must move past a pre-occupation with standardized teaching and learning; the very focus that stands in the way of a truly authentic and contemporary learning experience for today’s children. 

The Rotary Club of Wilsonville meets weekly Thursdays at noon to carry out its purpose of providing service and fellowship to members and the Wilsonville community. The club is holding hybrid “Virtual In Person” (VIP) meetings. Attend in person (if masked or vaccinated), or attend virtually over Zoom at http://www.tinyurl.com/Rotary97070. Guests are welcome. For more information, email president@wilsonvillerotary.com.

At the time of his retirement in July 2017, Michael had served students over a 35 year career in public education: 14 years as a performing arts teacher and 21 years as a building administrator. Throughout his career, and continuing into his retirement, he is a vocal advocate of arts education and the inclusion of quality arts experiences for all children, and remains a champion of student-centered approaches to assure a high quality and relevant education for every child. He earned his bachelor degree in music education at Willamette University and his masters in educational leadership from the University of Portland, with additional administrative studies at Lewis and Clark College and Portland State University.