|
Who Is Mike DePung? |
- Husband and family man, Educator, Writer, Discoverer, Philanthropist
As a husband and family man, I seek the welfare of my wife and work on enjoying this journey together, and as a father and grandfather, I seek to have a closer more meaningful relationship to my children and their children.
As an educator, I work with individual students and provide consulting services and seek to educate about wider aspects of life, especially health.
As a writer, I create novels, poetry, and essays dealing with my philosophy of life, my knowledge, research, and opinions about education, and my beliefs about the essence of life--all of which help me to keep discovering.
As a discoverer, I continue to develop my beliefs about what makes us tick as humans and how we are connected to one another and the Universe and how to prosper in that knowledge.
As a philanthropist, I give time and money to those things that are consistent with my values of life--children, education, and animals.
In all these roles, I seek to discover the blessings, significance, and fulness of life in order that I may help others to be discoverers of their own bliss.
My writing helps seekers to discover passion and develop visions and lives of purpose, significance, and fulfillment.
As an educator, I work with individual students and provide consulting services and seek to educate about wider aspects of life, especially health.
As a writer, I create novels, poetry, and essays dealing with my philosophy of life, my knowledge, research, and opinions about education, and my beliefs about the essence of life--all of which help me to keep discovering.
As a discoverer, I continue to develop my beliefs about what makes us tick as humans and how we are connected to one another and the Universe and how to prosper in that knowledge.
As a philanthropist, I give time and money to those things that are consistent with my values of life--children, education, and animals.
In all these roles, I seek to discover the blessings, significance, and fulness of life in order that I may help others to be discoverers of their own bliss.
My writing helps seekers to discover passion and develop visions and lives of purpose, significance, and fulfillment.
A Self Reflection
Sitting in my back yard on this warm but comfortable August evening, I am trying to evaluate, analyze—maybe it's just understand—what it is I feel so strongly in reference to education. You know what? Even though I'm retired now—I took a very early retirement—it all gets back to the same belief that I had when I taught in the classroom. Students come first, not anything else. Reform doesn't come first; new math doesn't come first; the latest assessment stupidity really doesn't come first or second or tenth. I could list dozens of possibilities here, but I really do want to keep this positive. Here's the deal: I will state what I believe, and if you are so inclined, you can think about all the implications and counter arguments. I know what works; I am a great educator who is now approaching learning from a different vantage point and platform. The philosophy, however, is the same. Everything that I will yet say applies directly to the way I taught. The educational system, by and large in all developed and developing nations, reeks of people competing and trying to make a name for themselves at the expense of our children and, in turn, our culture, our government, civilization, and mankind in general.
Education--that which formally trains people to know certain things in a civilized society--must focus on drawing out of individuals those deepest parts of the self and soul that connect to the Universe at large. Young people must be encouraged to listen to their hearts, identify their passions, and create and execute their visions. Educators must develop the requisite skills to provide the tools for these goals. Yes, I have a vision of what this would look like and, in fact, partly developed this in my classroom with my students at various times. The more I led this way, the more resistance I encountered—mostly systemic. I would not bend, so I resigned. Now, I approach educating in this path of writing and speaking in various formats. I know this is my vision. I believe it can help you, young people, our society, and this world—no matter how limited the scope of my influence may be.
So, now you know a little bit about my passions and vision. These things make me tick, float my boat, or just fill in whatever cliches you want. Yes, I struggle at times, but in general that which marks me is that I love to discover, to learn, and to enjoy the fullness of this world. I value my fellow human beings and delight in interacting with you. Oh, and I love to laugh!
Education--that which formally trains people to know certain things in a civilized society--must focus on drawing out of individuals those deepest parts of the self and soul that connect to the Universe at large. Young people must be encouraged to listen to their hearts, identify their passions, and create and execute their visions. Educators must develop the requisite skills to provide the tools for these goals. Yes, I have a vision of what this would look like and, in fact, partly developed this in my classroom with my students at various times. The more I led this way, the more resistance I encountered—mostly systemic. I would not bend, so I resigned. Now, I approach educating in this path of writing and speaking in various formats. I know this is my vision. I believe it can help you, young people, our society, and this world—no matter how limited the scope of my influence may be.
So, now you know a little bit about my passions and vision. These things make me tick, float my boat, or just fill in whatever cliches you want. Yes, I struggle at times, but in general that which marks me is that I love to discover, to learn, and to enjoy the fullness of this world. I value my fellow human beings and delight in interacting with you. Oh, and I love to laugh!
