Tribute to Nonnie
Christina “Nonnie” Korten
May 14, 1949 – January 10, 2005
Nonnie Korten was the visionary behind the Network for a Healthy California—LAUSD (Network). She is the reason many of us became involved in this campaign for children, and one of the reasons the Network, as a whole, continues to grow and thrive.
Nonnie’s philosophy was that true learning, the kind that really changes your life, only happens when you are fully engaged in whatever skill or concept you are trying to learn — where discovery feels like play, and where learning stimulates your curiosity to know even more.
Nonnie knew that weaving all sorts of curricula together into an educational process that reflected “real” life was much more empowering for students than simply reading textbooks or listening to lectures. She was a tireless promoter of hands-on learning and meaningful experiences for children that promoted deep thinking and thoughtful reflection. She wanted every child to realize their fullest potential, not just as students, but as passionate, caring, healthy and informed human beings. This was the inspiration for her teaching, and this is the vision that built the Network.
Nonnie was never one for speeches or anything that brought attention to her. We had to videotape interviews with her when she least expected it and often just let the camera run. We have a clip of her speaking to our teachers at the end of the first year of our program in 2001. We’re sharing it here because it so clearly reflects her enthusiasm and her incredible respect for the professionalism of teachers and their power to create positive change.
