All of us have had discussions about Ishmael and the philosophy of its author Daniel Quinn. I found a question from a teacher to Mr. Quinn and thought it would make a good coversation starter:

The Question:
For almost all my life I've wanted no other career than teaching, but after reading My Ishmael, I’m very confused. I'd have to think, after reading this book, that you wouldn’t think much of me if I carried through on my plans to enter the school system as a teacher. Or am I missing your point?

...and the response:
You’re definitely missing my point. The school system exists, and it’s not going to go away in any great hurry. Until it’s superceded by a system that actually works for children, it’s what IS, and your absenting yourself from it won’t help it or you. What is needed is not for dedicated teachers to abandon the system but rather for dedicated teachers to understand the system.