Juan Soto and the Trouble with Progressive Education

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of keynoting the Progressive Education Network’s National Conference 2024 in Columbus, OH. The theme of the conference “The Space Between: How Progressive Education Fosters Curiosity, Creativity, Community and Connection” felt germane to the moment. As I formulated my remarks on Friday, I watched Game 4 of the New York Yankees versus the Cleveland Guardians. (No, I didn’t go in person even though it was two hours away.) Words failed me in preparation, so rather than force it, I let my mind take a step back a bit. The game barely started when “The Generational” Juan Soto smack a two-run homerun out the park to start the game.

As I watched Soto circling the bases, it made me think about the genius behind his at-bat. He has a unique stance (a “Soto Shuffle” that now has its own theme song), but it’s deeper than that. His at-bats seem less like structured and well-practiced swings and more like nimble, artful strokes in response to the environment and the situation. He might say, “I do what I need to do for my team in the moment.” Some interpret his chest thumping ebullience as cockiness. But, those of us who’ve watched players like him for a long time know his braggadocio aligns with Dominican culture.

Suddenly, I had something to say about progressive education and the way forward.

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