Gosh Alison, I don't know what to say. My only defence, as a teacher, is that we'd both have to sit down and talk. It's not within the scope of a Medium article to address all you have written.

Schools are wonderful places of learning, at least they are today, (maybe nt when I went to school) and they're not about stuffing students with facts.

Have a look at "Six Thinking Hats' just as an example. They are all about developing the whole child.

Sorry! I have to stop there. I am at a loss for words. I just wish I could invite you into a thriving classroom. A thriving classroom is very much a microcosm of society. It's never at odds with it.