UE’s Matthew Knoester to Present Andiron Lecture on Democratic Education

As part of the University of Evansville’s Andiron Lecture Series in the liberal arts and sciences, Matthew Knoester, assistant professor of education, will present “International Struggles for Democratic Education.”

Knoester will speak at 4 p.m. Wednesday, February 6 in Eykamp Hall (Room 252), Ridgway University Center. His lecture is free and open to the public.

Knoester holds a master’s degree from Harvard University and a PhD in curriculum and instruction from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He is a National Board Certified Teacher and was formerly a teacher in the Boston Public Schools, where he taught in a small, democratically run school founded by MacArthur award winner Deborah Meier. He recently published two books on democratic education: an edited volume, International Struggles for Critical Democratic Education, and a book about the school where he taught in Boston, Democratic Education in Practice: Inside the Mission Hill School.

“In this lecture, I’ll discuss these books, making a case that expanding access to educational opportunities is important for cultivating democratic citizenship,” Knoester said. “I will explain why this project is threatened by the current focus on marketization of schooling and by the view that the primary purpose of schools is training for economic development, rather than preparation for democratic self-rule.”

Established in 1982, the Andiron Lectures offer research, commentary, and reflection from many fields of study. Presenters are primarily drawn from the faculty of UE’s College of Arts and Sciences but also include faculty members and administrators from across the University campus and occasional contributions from the regional community. The Andiron Lectures are sponsored by the University of Evansville College of Arts and Sciences and supported by a generous gift from Donald B. and Jean Korb.

For a full schedule of 2012-13 Andiron Lectures, please visit http://www.evansville.edu/speakers/andiron.cfm.

For more information, please contact series coordinator M. Christine Mohn at 812-488-2585 or the College of Arts and Sciences at 812-488-2589.