Kathleen - Paul,
thank you for coming to Teachers.Net to discuss your work and the importance
of cross cultural education. Would you tell us something about yourself?
Paul Ginocchio -
Hello. I graduated from California State University, Hayward in 1994 with
a bachelors degree in Mass Communication and Sociology. I traveled to India
in 1995 to begin production of the video documentary: An Explorer' Journal.
I now prepare for my next journey to Australia. This next educational video
will chronicle the modern existence of the Australian Aborigines
Kathleen - What are
the components of the program you offer to educators for use in the classroom
and for what grade levels are they used?
Paul Ginocchio -
I am at the embryonic stage of my career, but I do envision producing educational
media that will greatly influence how we perceive human education
Kathleen - Paul,
have you had an opportunity to work with students in many classrooms using
your video program? Tell us about how children react and what impact you
think you've had
Paul Ginocchio -
I have shred An Explorer's Journal with many schools. I have had students,
teachers, and parents who have been moved by the piece. I di d not want
to create a dry video, but one that speaks honestly about how we can learn
to understand each other
Kathleen - Tell us
about students' reactions and questions
Paul Ginocchio -
After the video is shown, the discussions have been about the state of
human relations in today's world. Students ask about India and the video
(especially the monkeys!) but the conversation usually steers towards global
and community relationships
Kathleen - Paul,
you were in India for 2 weeks. Do you think the experience was life changing
for you?
Paul Ginocchio -
I was ready for something to happen when I left. Yes, it did alter my perception
of the world and myself. I saw that my life purpose is to explore and share.
Kathleen - What were
your life goals before you visited India?
Paul Ginocchio -
I made a documentary in college and shard it with my class. Their response
amazed me. I felt a light go on inside. I realized that I wanted to tell
stories and my medium would be with documentaries
Kathleen - When you
left for India, did you have documentary, educational program in mind?
Paul Ginocchio -
NONE! I went without doing any research or script writing, just a totally
open mind and soul. India was so fantastically sense oriented. The sights
and smells were a gift from the heavens'
Kathleen - Do you
think you would have had a similar awakening had you visited sites of abject
poverty within the US? Do you plan to produce any video of various cultures
within the US?
Paul Ginocchio -
I know that I was supposed to go to India. I was unknowingly awakened to
a purpose for life. Yes, when I finish the Aborigine document, I will examine
my own birthplace and the Native American Indians
Kathleen - Do you
believe that children can develop understanding/empathy of other cultures
in a monoculture classroom?
Paul Ginocchio -
The real problem is that there is not much effective exposure happening
in the classroom. I did not learn anything of India until I had graduated
from college.
Kathleen - Do you
recall any attempts to teach you about cultures in school?
Paul Ginocchio -
Diversity was not a big issue as it is today. Things are changing slowly,
but from my experience as a substitute for the past two years, there is
A LOT of work to be done.
Kathleen - How much
have you been in classrooms lately?
Paul Ginocchio -
The past two years have been very enlightening and sad. I almost cannot
be a participant in our educational system because it seems so confused
about the true importance of education
Kathleen - Then,
perhaps your mission is to do it better?
Paul Ginocchio -
YES, to help. I feel that my niche is video production and leading discussions.
Kathleen - What do
you think are the biggest barriers to cross cultural understanding?
Kathleen - Is it
just lack of exposure to other cultures?
Paul Ginocchio -
Fear! We can easily hate or judge what we don't understand.
Paul Ginocchio -
No, it is much deeper than this. We simply do not know who we are as a
species.
Kathleen - So, that
would be the result of lack of exposure, right?
Mary K&1 - It's
difficult to help children understand diversity when they don't see it
around them, do you have any advice as to how this can be achieved in areas
like this?
Paul Ginocchio -
Hello Mary. We live in an incredible age of communication, yet we have
tapped into the potential i such small ways. The internet is a great resource.
There are incredible videos out there as well.
Paul Ginocchio -
Mary, nothing beats human interaction! We need more guest teachers at schools.
Real inspiring people
Alex - the school
I work in is a middle school and we have, as I said, a great deal of tension.
What are some things we could do?
Paul Ginocchio -
Invite people to your school who have been damaged by racial tension in
their lives.
Kathleen - Paul,
do you think kids can learn tolerance via lecture? role playing? exposure?
Paul Ginocchio -
YES! Understanding comes through exposure. How can a wealthy child develop
compassion for the impoverished when he has never really experiences their
living conditions.
Mary K&1 - Is
your video accompanied by a study guide? If so, for what age level is it
appropriate?
Kathleen - Paul,
that's what I'm wondering ...can't compassion develop without exposure?
Can't it be taught as a value from the earliest point in life?
Paul Ginocchio -
There is a study guide on the August Productions website. It is appropriate
from 4th grade through college.
Ruby - I agree with
Kathleen, it needs to start from the home. However, how can this be accomplished?
Parenting classes?
Paul Ginocchio -
Why don't students learn how to live? It seems in learning how to become
economically productive, we lose out on the basics of how to survive
Mary K&1 - What
is the true importance of education?
Paul Ginocchio -
Mary, the most beautiful aspect of my educational experience was when I
was encouraged to explore the gifts that lay in my soul. The greatest gift
you can give the world is self-realization.
Kathleen - Paul,
were you lacking compassion and tolerance before you experienced India?
I'm guessing you possessed those attributes, but exercised them for the
first time during that trip. Am I right?
Paul Ginocchio -
Kathleen, you are brilliant! I felt like a scared child when I looked out
the bus window. So much world that I didn't even fathom
Ruby - Whose responsibility
is it to teach students how to live, Paul?
Paul Ginocchio -
EVERYONE! We all affect each other. Obviously parents and teachers have
the most direct impact.
Mary K&1 - Can
you please explain the meaning of "self-realization"?
Paul Ginocchio -
Mary, What is it that you dream? Self-Realization is understanding your
purpose on this globe.
Kathleen - Teachers
are often conflicted about how to observe or not observe familiar euro-christian
holidays in the classroom, how to avoid endorsing one practice over others.
Do you have any opinions or observations to share on that topic?
Paul Ginocchio -
If teachers were given more breathing room, they could endorse all holidays!
Kathleen - Paul,
have you seen that some educators resent it when asked to offer more diverse
experiences, refrain from making Christmas (or other 'traditional holidays)
the main celebration?
Paul Ginocchio -
We have become so good at division! Let's celebrate each other and living
life together.
Mary K&1 - Do
you feel that the US system of education is far too myopic in the goals
that it has set? The sole importance these days seems to be on text scores.
Kathleen - self-realization
can't be tested or normed :-/
Mary K&1 - That's
what I mean, thank you, Kathleen
Paul Ginocchio -
Mary, our educational system is a reflection of our sickness. We do not
know how to understand each other and we will not survive forever unless
we start making revolutionary changes
Kathleen - Can you
think of any ritual in our culture that compares (in its effect) with the
painting of the faces of others with the gulal colors?
Paul Ginocchio -
All tribal cultures have face and body painting during ceremony. I am so
hopeful that I will gain enough trust with Aboriginal people to witness
their ceremonies.
Kathleen - [gulal
is a ceremonial face painting during the holiday of Holi in India..painting
the faces of others, that is]
Kathleen - I hope
that explanation is correct:-/
Paul Ginocchio -
Visit my website for a look into this ceremony: http://www.augustprod.com Kathleen - But in
our culture, we don't touch each other that way
Kathleen - We apply
our own colors :-)
Paul Ginocchio -
Kathleen, the true founders of this land were the ones to learn from, not
destroy!
Kathleen - Paul,
you have an event coming up in Rhode Island, a video awards ceremony or
festival?
Paul Ginocchio -
Yes, that actually happened. Now, I prepare to leave for Australia next
week. WOW! A three month journey.
Kathleen - Your video,
"An Explorer's Journal" received a third place award for "Creative Excellence"
at the International Film and video festival. Are there other awards or
recognition you would like to tell us about?
Paul Ginocchio -
It is airing on PBS Philadelphia in Nov. and Dec. I am currently looking
into international distribution.
Mary K&1 - Can
you recommend a source to use for locating visiting teachers?
Paul Ginocchio -
Mary, An example would be, if you are doing a unit on India, contact a
local Indian organization and have an Indian dance performance at your
school!!!!
Kathleen - Paul,
will you be traveling alone (doing your own filming during the visit to
Australia? Will you have a guide of some sort to introduce you to the culture?
Paul Ginocchio -
There is a brilliant author named Harvey Arden who is consulting this project.
He has books published about native American Indians and Aborigines. He
has supplied some key contacts
Kathleen - Will you
do your own filming?
Paul Ginocchio -
Kathleen, I am not able to yet pay for a crew, so I will be solo a lot
of the time, and I have my brother coming with me for some of the time.
Kathleen - Paul,
for future reference, there is a wonderful (I hear) museum just opened
here in Conn. by the Mashantucket Pequot tribe that might interest you
someday.
Alice - My former
comment and question was that I lived in India for 3 years and that it
had changed my life completely....
Paul Ginocchio -
Alice, we can learn so much from the ancestral lands. Thank God other cultures
have kept their identity intact in this capitalistic world.
Kathleen - Alice,
how has it changed your life?
Alice - The way they
live and accept so much and just enjoy the privilege of being alive...
Paul Ginocchio -
Nice, Alice....
Alice - And one thing
they taught me is that everything could be worse....!!!
Kathleen - It is
past 10 so we will have to wrap it up now, but we thank Paul for his information
and insight. And we wish you luck in Australia:-)
Kathleen - Paul,
be in touch when your next project is complete, ok?
Kathleen - Paul,
is there anything you would like to say in closing?
Paul Ginocchio -
In closing I would like to thank everyone and I hope you discover the adventure
of life! There is a whole new world coming!!!!
Alice - Good bye
Paul and thank you ....
Paul Ginocchio -
OK Kathleen. Cheers!
Kathleen - WOW! Thanks
for the good news, Paul :-) Good night, and thank s, VERY MUCH
Paul Ginocchio -
Alice please visit the website at: http://www.augustprod.com Kathleen - Good night
all, thank you!
Paul Ginocchio -
Goodby Mary!
Mary K&1 - Thank
you, Paul, you have given me much to think about.
Alice - Good night
Kathleen and thank you
Bob R/CA - Thanks
for being here tonight Paul :o)
Paul Ginocchio -
Bob, the listener! Goodnight
