Michael Clarke, SSP'11: Unraveling the Mysteries

Barbados native Michael Clarke came to HGSE in order to better understand American education policy. Yet he enjoyed his time at HGSE so much, he isn’t planning on leaving after the semester is over.

“I am not yet ready for post-HGSE,” Clarke says, admitting that he hopes to be accepted as a visiting scholar to continue looking at the cognitive appropriateness of the new National Common Core State Standards for Mathematics with Professor Kurt Fischer, Assistant Professor Jon Star, and Associate Professor Tina Grotzer.

“From the outset, Michael distinguished himself as a leader,” said John Collins, director of the Special Studies Program (SSP). “He served as the Special Studies representative on student government, hosted distinguished international speakers, performed a solo piano concert, sang in the choir, and generously shared his support, wit, and wisdom with his fellow students.”

Upon learning that he had been honored with the Intellectual Contribution/Faculty Tribute Award for SSP, Clarke answered some questions about his time at the Ed School and beyond.

Is there any professor who significantly shaped your experience at the Ed School? Yes, Kurt Fischer. He supported my aspirations to impact education globally.

What is something that you learned at HGSE that you will take with you throughout your career in education? There are many things but if I had to select one it would be the concept of neuroplasticity, the ability of the brain to learn and change throughout life.

How did you stay inspired throughout the year? Thinking of how important the work of education was and how important it was that we eventually got past silly academic games and got the important stuff RIGHT!! With apologies to those professors and TFs who thought that the grade should matter most, it never did.

What advice do you have for next year’s students going through your program? Get your priorities in order; figure out what is most important to YOU because that will determine how you allocate your time and how satisfied you will be at the end of the year!

What will you change in education and why? There is the fact that in many education systems worldwide we have taken a naturally pleasurable and nativist phenomenon, learning, and we have figured out how to turn off most students, hence the large dropout rates and the large number of students who hate school. Yet we keep doing it the same way as if education should be a punishment and the rewards should go to those willing to endure the most severe forms of punishment. We have even coined phrases like “You need to pay your dues.” No one seems to notice that the only loser in this process is humanity itself as we continually squander our most precious natural resource, the intellectual capacity of our children and young people. I want to reclaim that natural resource!

Favorite place to get a slice of pizza in the Square? Upper Crust; it is close to HGSE so I can get to doing what is most important to me, unraveling the mysteries of education.