Edward Zigler and Howard Gardner

In pursuit of the education and experience that will lead us to our chosen profession, it is important, if not vital, that we carefully choose a path that will take us where we want to go. As we journey down this path, we will most likely encounter obstacles or opportunities that will take us in different directions, possibly leaving us at the end of the trail in a place quite different from that which we set out for. Like us, both Edward Zigler and Howard Gardner set out on career paths that ended in much different places than those they anticipated, both for very different reasons.

Edward Zigler initially wanted to pursue a career in a purely scientific field, preferably in a laboratory or in actual fieldwork. He reluctantly joined the ranks of what would become Project Head Start in 1964 due to his deep sense of patriotism and stated that he felt “drafted” once again (Zigler, 2003). Zigler felt as if he had been selected for this position by mistake. Quite unwillingly, Zigler was pushed into the role of an administrator, far from his chosen path of field scientist, and became part of the very establishment he fought so hard against in his younger days.

The unexpected and quite positive outcome of his working in this capacity was that Zigler was able to combine his practical, field experience with his authority as an administrator to meet the needs of the fledgling program and expand it far beyond the expectations of its founders. Eventually Zigler was able to realize the best of both worlds in a career he had never chosen.

Far from receiving well-deserved praise for his achievements, Zigler became a target for criticism from both sides. Administrators had no respect for him due to his youthfulness, his scientific background ...

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...ng and remembering which provides additional insight as to how and why students may learn better, faster and easier when the correct learning style is offered to hem. Gardner is also the co-director of Project Zero, which, not unlike him, encompasses and continues to create such a large variety of projects that even a lifelong student like Howard Gardner can find something to keep his mind entertained and his curiosity fully engaged.

Works Cited

Gardner, H. (2003). My way. In R. J. Sternberg, R. J. Sternberg (Eds.), Psychologists defying the crowd: Stories of those who battled the establishment and won, (pp. 79-88).

Zigler, E. (2003). What would draw a basic scientist into Head Start (and why would he never leave)? In R. J. Sternberg, R. J. Sternberg (Eds.) , Psychologists defying the crowd: Stories of those who battled the establishment and won (pp. 273-282).