My name is Amanda MacLean. I’ve created this blog to share resources about compassionate education. I use this term because I believe in compassion for all, not just compassion for some. As you look back in history we have overcome many injustices to various groups such as slavary, women’s rights etc. We are still on the journey of working towards a just and peaceful world. I believe that all species deserve to be free and live as nature intended. I’m interested in researching the role that humane education plays in the evolution of a peaceful society and sustainable environment. I would like to examine the reasons for humane education approaches, such as the current state of the environment and the prevalence of individual and global violence. I am also interested in analyzing effective humane education strategies and develop curriculum recommendations for teachers, which focus on invoking a sense of compassion and respect for all forms of life. I became passionate about humane and environmental education during my undergraduate studies at Cape Breton University. While completing a philosophy course, my professor Dr. Richard Keshen awoke this passion within me. Keshen is originally from Sydney, Nova Scotia and attended Oxford University to complete his graduate studies. One day in 1970, after a lecture on free will by Jonathan Glover, Richard and Peter Singer began an ethical discussion that later impacted the world. Up until this time, Singer had not been a vegetarian nor had he been involved in animal rights. After hearing Keshen place an order for a meatless lunch, Singer asked him why he avoided meat and they engaged in a dialogue which resulted in Singer becoming a vegetarian, due to the rational logic of the philosophical discussion. In his book Between the Species, Singer states that the discussion had changed his life. Singer later went on to write many books and articles in support of animals and vegetarianism and he played a vital role in shaping the animal rights movement. I am grateful to have studied under Dr. Keshen as he taught me how to logically rationalize and understand the moral implications of our actions upon animals and the environment. He triggered a sense of compassion in my heart and I began to realize the intrinsic value of all forms of life. I developed a love for philosophy and nurtured a spiritual connection with our natural environment. I knew that I wanted to help our suffering environment and animals, but I did not know how. During my MA studies at Memorial University of Newfoundland, I was curious to learn about who influences politicians as they make policy decisions. Through my research and interviews with scholars and politicians, I realized that there are many factors at play as politicians do not usually adhere to scholarly research in the early stages of decision making. I learned that public opinion and corporate influence were important factors to many of them. I realized that the most influential means in transforming society is education. If people have a solid understanding of various issues, which are often hidden from mainstream media, they can influence the government to act. Invoking in teachers and students a sense of appreciation and respect for all forms of life can help empower society to evolve towards a peaceful and sustainable environment. I soon realized that awareness and understanding are essential to transformation. After completing my Master of Arts Degree, with a concentration in Public Policy, I completed a Bachelor of Education Degree (Secondary Social Studies) from Memorial University of Newfoundland. Upon graduating, I was hired to teach a third year Human Rights Course at Cape Breton University, as well as the following online courses: Research Methods; Local Government; and Issues in Local Government. I recently completed a University in Teaching Certificate, which is offered to faculty of Cape Breton University. Throughout this program, I collaborated with CBU faculty members from various disciplines, as we learned effective teaching strategies and provided each other with constructive feedback. I am currently gathering resources and developoing curriculum which offers teachers effective teaching methods and aims to instil a sense of compassion in students, encouraging them to recognize the connection between their actions and the evolution of a peaceful and sustainable environment.
