Sustainable Paradigm Shifts: Intersections of Past Wisdom and Future Vision

Abstract

increasingly diverse communities, and complex digital classrooms, a multitude of theoretical perspectives continues to illuminate our pathways. As educators, we draw inspiration from influential scholars, each making unique contributions to our educational consciousness and practices. W. E. B. Du Bois (1926), a sociologist and civil rights activist, made lasting marks on our understanding of racial equality. Angela Davis (2016), a philosopher, feminist, and political activist, further illuminates the intersectionality of race, class, and gender in America while spearheading prison abolition movements. Educational theorist Gloria Ladson-Billings (1995) expands our focus on inclusivity and sheds light on the achievement gaps and inequities in education through her work on culturally relevant pedagogy. John Dewey’s (1938) pragmatic philosophy of learning by doing still resonates in classroom settings today that advocate for active student engagement and individual agency. The profound link between the arts and education finds expression in the work of Maxine Greene (2001), who campaigned for a curriculum founded on social imagination to foster creativity and critical thinking. The transformative power of the arts aligns with the strong advocacy of Elliot Eisner (2002), who fuses the educational imagination with mindful learning in the arts to promote an integrated approach to teaching. Finally, our awareness of the pedagogical implications of digital technologies is expanded by Tony Bates (2015), a key researcher in the realm of online and distance education. These perspectives compel us to think beyond traditional boundaries, recognizing the fluidity of art as a discipline and acknowledging the evolving complexities of teaching and learning in our diverse, interconnected worlds. As we grapple with the aftermath of a global pandemic and the effects of dominant social movements, the contributions of scholars like these become our lifeline as educators. They anchor us in foundational principles, concurrently encouraging innovation and adaptation to sustain our teaching and learning practices. They further highlight the distinct role of the arts as a means of expression, a critical lens into societal conditions, and an agent of change, resistance, and enablement. Sustainable Paradigm Shifts Intersections of Past Wisdom and Future Vision Ami Kantawala