Compassionate Education is a Good Education - Reader comments at The New York Sun

Submitted by Sophia, Dec 12, 2007 17:35

Hi everyone,

I am a student pursuing a Masters in Education that focuses on Humane Education with the Institute for Humane Education. So please allow me to set the record straight on what humane education really is.

True humane education exposes people to how humans, animals and the environment are exploited for commercial purposes. It shows people that the suffering of one is deeply connected to the suffering of another. And of course, it remains sensitive to the age group of the students. So for example, students learn about human rights violations like sweat shop labor, animal rights violations like the cruelty of factory farming and environmental destruction like global warming. Humane education demonstrates to students that we all have a role to play in these violations by what we wear, what we eat and the kinds of cars that we drive. It shows kids that they are not powerless against the exploitive, destructive practices in the world, that every choice we make can have a good impact on the world around us. Humane education teaches students how to turn compassion and concern into actions that can make the world a better place.

Teachers all over the country are reporting the changes that they've seen in the character of their students since humane education was introduced to their classes. The students are thinking more critically about their choices, treating each other with respect and compassion and taking responsibility for their actions everyday.

So before you say no to humane education, I encourage you, like I would to any of my students, to see for yourself what humane education really is. Please do your research and find accurate information from people that are not going to gain a profit from persuading you. If I may, I offer http://humaneeducation.org/ as a starting point to your research.

I think we would all agree that something positive has to be done with our NYC public schools. The city that features the best and the brightest should be raising the best and the brightest minds within its schools. I believe that Humane Education is one way to help this happen and make NYC a great place to be educated.

I would be happy to answer any further questions you may have. Please respond to my post if you would like me to discuss this further with you.

For the people, the animals and the planet,

Sophia S.

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Other reader comments on this article

Comment	By	Date
As a person who actually teaches humane education in schools all over New York City, I can assure you that... [MORE]	Ashley	Feb 7, 2008 11:57
Hi everyone, I am a student pursuing a Masters in Education that focuses on Humane Education with the Institute for Humane...	Sophia	Dec 12, 2007 17:35
Consideration and compassion, what could be more important for children to learn? It's only too plainly apparent that many are... [MORE]	MaryF	Dec 11, 2007 08:39
Humans are animals too and humans are granted rights in our society because those rights protect their interests. Humans have... [MORE]	Philip	Dec 12, 2007 15:26
Are you people reading just he headline? The resolution is about humane treatment of animals. I don't see anything about... [MORE]	Patrick	Dec 10, 2007 22:59
If Animal Rights are taught in the classroom so should Christianity! [MORE]	Pansy	Dec 10, 2007 22:36
Animals can have our rights when they form their own political action committee, hold a rally on Capitol Hill,... [MORE]	J	Dec 10, 2007 20:04
What could possibly be wrong with love and compassion for all things? Unfortunately some, like "J" are terribly threatened with... [MORE]	catherine	Dec 13, 2007 20:45
Forget about teaching how to treat animals. Let's focus on raising reading, math, and science grades. Let them identify all... [MORE]	Eric	Dec 10, 2007 16:56
....but I get the feeling that if you could take away people's rights as well, you would. I mean, look... [MORE]	luvmydogs	Dec 12, 2007 00:06
The real agenda of the animal rights groups is to ELIMINATE MEAT from the diet. Based on the way PETA... [MORE]	bill	Dec 10, 2007 16:32
"Science", in this case, is just a code word for harming animals. Fortunately, Avella and the other proponents of this... [MORE]	luvmydogs	Dec 11, 2007 23:53
Just curious....if PETA "isn't interested in the animals" why is their hidden agenda to not eat meat? [MORE]	m. van dam	Jan 19, 2008 19:46
If this animal rights group is allowed a slot in school time then The N R A should be allowed... [MORE]	Ray	Dec 10, 2007 15:47
There should be in all schools, educational wildlife programs that teach children about animals, empathy & tolerance. Maybe the children... [MORE]	Joanna	Dec 10, 2007 14:31
Animal Rights has NO place in schools. It is NOT about the welfare of animals. It is about the agenda... [MORE]	Elizabeth	Dec 10, 2007 13:11
what ridiculous websites to cite -- there is no form of harm that NAIA and ConsumerFreedom.org (a front for the... [MORE]	luvmydogs	Dec 11, 2007 23:58
This is great news! It's about time children learn about animal cruelty and related issues...i.e., that hamburgers don't grow in... [MORE]	Philos	Dec 10, 2007 08:54
I am totally against this type of program. And if my kid was in the classroom I would not allow... [MORE]	Mary	Dec 10, 2007 08:32
Thanks to New York City Council Member Avella for hearing the compassionate sentiments of his constituents and acting on them!... [MORE]	Jeff @ Coolwater4animals - Toronto, Canada	Dec 10, 2007 03:18