The purpose of education is to enable the children of
today to evolve into the adults of tomorrow who are capable of utilizing the broad
foundation of knowledge they have acquired to analyze the world around them, evaluate
their interaction within it, and create advances that improve human life. As a
realist, I believe that the strong foundation on which students build their own
education should be an amalgamation of concrete basic knowledge, philosophical
constructs, and practical applications.
Learners must be empowered. They must take their personal
education into their own hands and, much like a blacksmith, forge and shape it
to fit their unique individuality. Consciousness of others and a regard for the
precious individuality of all should be developed throughout the life of a
learner. Learners must also be aware of
the serious, complex, tension filled global world in which all humans live.
Teachers should be leading learners, challengers, coaches,
mentors, enablers, and energizers.
Teachers must engage students and foster a desire and love of learning. Teachers must ensure that students feel they
are unique and special and that their communication sharing how they see and
interpret the world around them is deeply valued.
Teachers should be lifelong learners. Continually improving one’s self personally
and professionally sets an example for today’s students to follow as they
become the next generation of educators, policy makers, and parents.
Teachers should enjoy sharing knowledge not only about
subject matter but also how it relates to many aspects in real, everyday life. Teaching should include interwoven technology and
communication relationships. Students
today function in a global world that has technology enmeshed into almost every
aspect of life and these children must be prepared to live in a digital world
where they will be required to function intimately with some form of technology
communication relationships every day.
It must become second nature to them.
Education is the one single aspect of life that has the
greatest positive benefits for a civilization as a whole. No other social endeavor can produce the
greatest amount of benefits for a civilization as that of carefully and
thoroughly educating its population.
