Inspiration for Worldviews Project:
Junior High school teacher, Kate McKenzie’s students told her they felt hopeless because there were insurmountable problems and bad news everywhere they looked. Kate set out to inspire her students by demonstrating how one small action can make the world a little bit better. Now she’s taking her lesson on the road to inspire many more people to make a difference and generate positive news. Kate’s adventure in 2012 took her to nine countries in seven months, seeking out community leaders who were innovating creative solutions that bring people together and create positive change.
What is Worldviews Project?
Kate McKenzie is creating short films as part of her “’Inspirational Mondays” that are released through social media to showcase amazing solutions to social issues and innovative ideas from all around the world. She is committed to providing hands on learning through the arts for youth that equips youth to connect with community leaders and their surroundings to foster engagement and real world learning. She has partnered with Hidden Story Productions, CBC Radio and Bridges Social Development to create Reel World Youth Documentaries Film Festival, Radio Girls Podcast Project and the Aboriginal Youth Explosion. Finally she is producing Inspirational Art as part of her social enterprise to allow people to connect with the themes of Worldviews Project.
- Goals of Worldviews Project
To inspire hope by being a source of positive news and a hub for creative and innovative solutions to societal problems. - To celebrate the powerful medium of documentary filmmaking as a means of artistic expression and awareness raising.
- To break down stereotypes and highlight the many worldviews that make up our global village.
- To encourage youth engagement in local communities and provide inspiring hands-on, real world learning that fosters critical thinking.
- To demonstrate that anyone from any sector can be a community leader and through collaborative solutions we can make the world better one neighbourhood at a time!
Bio:
Kathryn McKenzie is a 29 year old teacher living in Calgary Alberta. She uses art and film as a way to encourage community building and discussion between diverse groups. Kathryn believes that we can be the change we wish to see in the world by taking action and doing something to make our own community better. Kathryn is passionate about showing the amazing work happening in her own city and excited about finding stories of those doing the same throughout the world. Although she can’t pack all of her students in her bag and take them with her, Kathryn believes that by producing films she will be able to bring the world to her students and inspire them towards creating positive change.
“The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.”
— William Arthur Ward
This quote is one of the few that sticks in my head, you’re the person that comes to my head when I read it. It’s so funny, I’m really always thinking of you! About 10 or 11 days ago, I told myself I was going to email you, I’m so happy I ran into you. It’s like you’re me, a few years ahead though! I’m always inspired by you, you really really just stick around in my mind, In about everything I do. Wow, this project is amazing, It’s one of the many goals I have – just to travel everywhere and help put a smile on everyones face.
Amazing! I cant get over it! I’d be more than honored to get involved somehow!
xoxo!
Reema Souraya (:
I’m honored to hear that you are doing such amazing things with your life Reema! Keep pursuing what you love! That’s the career advice I got from my parents, do something you love and that helps other people. I’ve followed it and as a result I can really say that I love my job and I feel fulfilled by it. I’m so excited to see where life takes you. Since you’re entering into the world of teaching, here’s another quote that has dramatically shaped how I teach:
“I’ve come to the frightening conclusioin that I am the decisive element in the classroom. It’s my daily mood that makes the weather. As a teacher, I possess a tremendous power to make a child’s life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration. I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated and a child humanized or de-humanized.” Dr. Haim Ginott
I’d love to have you more involved in Worldviews Project. Let’s email about how that could look!
Kate, thank you for being such a leader who leads by example .i know will do it till the end .all the best in your endeavors .