History Is “In The Making”—Teaching It That Way Requires Sea Change

("Northlake Romance" column dated April, 2004)

I learned Walter Henderson died at age 83 last week—a great-great Grandson of Greenville Henderson, one of this area’s progenitors and historical icons. I met Mr. Henderson (Walter) at the first “Henderson Heritage” meeting held at St. Bede’s Episcopal (focal point of Henderson lands) two years ago—and later, had several delightful conversations. Henderson called himself a “bionic man” (after many surgeries and implants) and had a zillion stories about growing up here and teaching at the old Tucker School. When he “slipped” into discussing political hanky-panky, he’d quickly extricate himself, to keep things light. Walter Henderson and recently deceased DeKalb County Historian Walter McCurdy (Smoke Rise) reminded us that people and families are part of the public infrastructure—assets to be called on—in life and death. Story tellers inevitably become part of the story.

Time marches on, so if History (as taught in public school) is only a series of events, then teachers are doomed to endlessly add more stuff to a box. Tomorrow, we will add today’s events to the timeline of recorded (and deduced) history. If time has always “lengthened” history, then technology has sped the delivery and dramatically increased the amount of information available. Think printing press, TV, later satellite transmission, the internet and future “compression” by continuous use of digital images. Clearly, the world of historical “content” is now unlimited and as such, has become a greater part of everyone’s BEING. As examples of the changing and expanding "availability" of historical data: is enhanced information delivery one reason President Bush faces “9-11” skepticism (history as we are living it)--or even the availability and ease of distribution of information about the days that led up to Pearl Harbor ("more history" about the past)?

I recently spoke about the high school History curriculum changes proposed by State Education Superintendent Kathy Cox with Northlake’s William Bradley (Brad) Bryant. Bryant, a former Chairman of the DeKalb Board of Education and now a Governor’s appointee to the state board, says that the big difference between teaching History now and when he was at Henderson High School (Class of 1971) are the resources available outside of school and the expanded variety of mediums in a total education. Bryant asks, “What is a more appropriate role for a K-12 curriculum in an era where people cognitively view everything they do as a part of education?”

Content without “context” is not education. Today, tough choices must be made to remove “tired required” data and make room for greater inquiry. Reading syndicated opinions in a daily newspaper continually brings me to terms with the inadequacy of my own “history” education. My schooling didn’t lack for information (data). I just wasn’t taught to ask “what does this mean to me”, “what is the small and big picture” and “why is history written by the winners”. Perhaps that was reasonable, because in 1975 (my senior year of high school) “The Information Age” was embryonic. Today’s communication resources have paradoxically freed students to pursue knowledge, instead of information—and question everything they are “taught”.

Today, should schools offer lessons “representative democracy” as a “form” of government or as a process? The “form” demands that we teach what, when, where of The American Revolution and the US Constitution—the “process” suggests a critical review of CSPAN proceedings. Which is more relevant and instructive in terms of training citizenship and responsibility—and possibly inviting a review of The Constitution (on one’s own time)?

History is always in the making. Continuing to add more information (content) to the current curriculum certainly would be a change, while teaching students to REASON (context) would be a “sea” change. Maybe our high schools can dissect the current public debate over curriculum changes as a good “history” lesson.

You can make your own local history—Attend Tucker Celebration on Main Street on Saturday, May 8.

Tom Doolittle wrote about the Northlake area and local community-building under the "Northlake Romance" byline from 2001 to 2004.