EASTERN: Is place-based education considered an unusual approach to teaching, or is it becoming more mainstream?


LOWENSTEIN: It’s not a novel idea. In the early 1900s, John Dewey advocated using the local community as a context for learning. Tere were efforts in the early 1990s to create more community-engaged schools, but they disappeared due to an emphasis on standardized testing. Now is the time for place-based education to really emerge. We have more knowledge of place-based teaching methods and more support for teachers using a place- based approach. Tis isn’t an idealized,


pie-in-the-sky teaching philosophy. Place- based education is actually very practical.


EASTERN: Community engagement is one of Eastern’s strategic goals. Is EMU cultivating a place-based approach in students who are preparing to be teachers?


LOWENSTEIN: Place-based education is going to be a strong strand in Eastern’s teacher preparation approach, and SEMIS is a tremendous resource that can help Eastern take its community engagement mission to the next level. We’ve already created a block of classes within SEMIS schools for groups of teaching candidates.


Eastern students receive mentoring from place-based teachers and join in the place- based activities the young students create. Our students say they have an increased understanding of the issues the young students face as well as the strengths within those communities. All of this builds upon Eastern’s strong tradition of community engagement. I hope alumni will join us as community partners to help bring this exciting way of teaching and learning to our region and state.


To learn more about the Southeast Michigan Stewardship Coalition, visit semiscoalition.org.


EASTERN MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2016 | 15


LEISA THOMPSON PHOTOGRAPHY


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