EduCon 2023

We know that the coarsening of the national dialogue has an effect on schools. All over, schools have reported an increase in hate speech. How do we take care of all our students in a time when adults on the national stage engage in hate speech that we would not allow in our classrooms?

There are two competing philosophies that inform how we can think about what to do in this moment in time. First, Karl Popper's Paradox of Tolerance tells us that any pluralistic society (like our schools) must be intolerant of intolerance or risk losing their openness. Second, Nel Noddings' Ethic of Care reminds us that creating caring schools is essential to creating a caring society?

So… how do we remain intolerant of intolerant ideas while caring for all our students — even those who are experimenting with intolerant ideas? Is it possible in this moment in time?