In the concluding vlog of the series, the respected and globally recognised Professor Carol Ann Tomlinson delves deeper into the holistic approach to education. She advocates for the comprehensive development of students, emphasising the equal importance of cognitive, emotional, social, and physical aspects in the learning process. Professor Tomlinson articulates a compelling argument: neglecting any of these dimensions in our teaching methodologies results in an incomplete educational experience for our students. By focusing solely on cognitive development, we risk overlooking the critical social and emotional experiences that are integral to shaping well-rounded individuals. She stresses that a student’s education is not just about academic intelligence but also about nurturing their emotional and social well-being, as well as their physical health.
Professor Tomlinson’s insights challenge educators to reconsider their approach to teaching. She points out that if we cannot make time for fostering social and emotional growth in our educational settings, we are not fully committing to the needs of our students. The essence of her message is clear: for students to develop into complete, well-balanced individuals, they require an educational environment that nurtures all facets of their being – cognitive, emotional, social, and physical. This holistic approach is crucial in preparing students not just for academic success but for life as a whole.
Carol Ann Tomlinson is the William Clay Parrish, Jr. Professor Emeritus. During her career at UVA, Tomlinson served as chair of the Educational Leadership, Foundations, and Policy Department, and co-director of the University’s Institutes on Academic Diversity. Prior to joining the faculty at UVA, she was a teacher in public schools for 21 years, where she taught students in high school, preschool, and middle school, and administered district programs for struggling and advanced learners. She was Virginia’s Teacher of the Year in 1974.
Prof. Tomlinson’s teaching and research at UVA centered on curriculum, differentiated instruction, and formative assessment. Her goal has always been to do work that supports classroom teachers in extending the quality and impact of their work with academically, culturally, and linguistically diverse learners. Toward that end, in addition to her scholarly publications, she has authored or co-authored over 300 books, book chapters, articles, and other educational materials for K-12 teachers and school leaders including How to Differentiate Instruction in Academically Diverse Classrooms (3rd Ed.), The Differentiated Classroom: Responding to the Needs of All Learners (2nd Ed), So Each May Soar: The Principles & Practices of Learner-Centered Classrooms, and Everybody’s Classroom: Differentiating for the Shared and Unique Needs of Diverse Learners. Her books are available in 14 languages.
Prof. Tomlinson was named Outstanding Professor at UVA’s School of Education in 2004 and received an All-University Teaching Award in 2008. In 2023, she was ranked #12 in the Education Week Edu-Scholar Public Presence Rankings of the 200 “University-based academics who are contributing most substantially to public debates about schools and schooling,” and as the #4 voice in curriculum. She works throughout the United States and internationally with educators who seek to create classrooms that are effective in reaching diverse student populations.
