ABSTRACT
Educators are a conscientious, caring group of professionals. With very few exceptions, their dedication and efforts are exemplary. As teaching and learning are steadily directed away from passion by well-meaning policy makers, however, teachers are confused and frustrated. The authors have struggled personally and professionally with what to call these two philosophies of learning and being. As the first decade of the 21st century neared its end, thousands of global educators had the chance to voice their thoughts, feelings, and opinions about passion and its place in their work. Educators attending the webinar questioned how to define, quantify, and maintain passion in light of today's educational challenges. Some educators noted that teaching to the test and its subsequent restrictions have diminished the freedom of educators to teach creatively and their own passion to teach as well. Some disagreed, stating that this lack of freedom actually ignites passion in educators.
