The Call for Educators to Champion Mentoring
This December leads with reflections on the importance of peace, mentoring and evaluating to enhance, not just evaluate education.
Ivana barbacci opens this month’s reflections on peace. As Christmas approaches, for the third year running, we are confronted by the enduring reality of war. "Working for peace without assuming the logic of balance of terror as inevitable is the commitment we believe should be shared by all people of good will," Barbacci states.
This edition remembers the contributions of Mario Bertin. A man of profound culture and intense spirituality, his writing had often guided CISl Scuola’s work, enriching contributions with his deep understanding of education’s role human life.
Raffaele Mantegazza grapples with the essential question: "Evaluate or Enhance?".
Individual learning experiences are at the heart of this exploration. "We cannot give full meaning to a reasoning on evaluation," writes Mantegazzza, "without taking into account what meaning, what value the concrete school experience lived by girls and boys may have today."
Reginaldo Palermo’s exploration focuses on the evolving concept of evaluation and its role within pedagogical thought. This month, the focus is on formative evaluation, a concept gaining prominence since the 1960s. This approach moves away from traditionalentait assessment.
Neapolitan educator Salvatore Pirozzi rounds out this month’s offerings with compelling insights into the power of mentoring. Focusing on the educational challenges facing metropolitan environments, Pirozzi highlights the value of mentoring. He draws on his own experience as a literary teacher and street teacher to show how mentoring can empower both teachers and students, particularly in schools struggling to achieve equitable outcomes.
As always, the monthly closing notes detail CISL Scuola’s union commitments for the month of December. For more information visit the monthly agenda link provided below.
GO TO THE MONTHLY AGENDA
How can educators effectively champion mentoring programs within their schools or communities?
## The Call for Educators to Champion Mentoring
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. December is often a time for reflection, especially as we approach the holidays. This year, we’re focusing on the crucial role educators play in fostering peace, mentorship, and better evaluation methods in education. Joining me today is Ivana Barbacci, an advocate for peace education and a strong voice for student empowerment. Ivana, thanks for being here.
**Ivana:** Thank you for having me. It’s an important conversation to have, especially given the world’s current circumstances.
**Host:** Absolutely. As we enter our third year with ongoing conflicts around the globe, what role can peace education play in shaping a brighter future?
**Ivana:** I believe peace education is absolutely essential. It’s about equipping young people with the skills and knowledge to build understanding, resolve conflict peacefully, and become active agents of change.
**Host:** And where does mentorship fit into this equation, particularly for educators?
**Ivana:** Mentorship is vital. [[1](https://www.youthpeaceaction.org/)]highlights the incredible impact programs like Youth & Peace in Action have by connecting students with mentors. These relationships provide invaluable guidance, support, and real-world examples of peacebuilding in action.
**Host:** That’s powerful. So, it goes beyond just teaching concepts, it’s about actively engaging students in the process.
**Ivana:** Exactly. It’s about creating a space where students feel empowered to make a difference and see themselves as peacebuilders.
**Host:** And lastly, Ivana, December is also a time when we often reflect on how we can improve. What are your thoughts on evaluation methods within education, particularly in the context of peace education?
**Ivana:** Evaluation needs to go beyond just measuring outcomes. We need to assess the impact of peace education on students’ attitudes, behaviors, and their ability to apply peacebuilding skills in their own lives. It’s about understanding the long-term effects and continuously refining our approaches.
**Host:** Ivana Barbacci, thank you for sharing your valuable insights with us today. Your work is truly inspiring.
** Ivana:** Thank you for having me.
