The mind aches as it stretches itself to try to understand most things. The heart hurts when it realizes the reality of most motives. After 30+ years in public education I look at the institution from the outside and see many things that get cloudy when one is in the active arena. Most of those things reinforce what I believed and aspired to all along. …… It is still about people–always has been and always will be.
As governmental bureaucracies, et al, get more involved the tendency is to try to create rules and strategies that address or encompass EVERY situation. This has caused schools to try to create a mass of automatons that think, see, feel and act the same way about everything… not only is this impossible, but how can this possibly be considered “Education”?
I wholeheartedly support and see as a necessity the education of human kind. But what is the GOAL?! Most students are simply meeting requirements and conditions set down by those bureaucracies so they can receive a diploma and “get out of school”. What a sad commentary on our schools -society -government -attitudes. The faculty and staff are often beaten down to the point that they think their purpose is to get them out the door (graduate). When did graduation become the goal? -it really isn’t one, it is just a point in time when we change direction. Others believe the goal is to get as much information and coursework accomplished to impress the “better” universities so they can get more information and, therefore, ultimately get a “better” job. Is greed what drives our goal-setting? Is that what a “better” job is? Even society will occasionally eschew its own greed in a movie like Deeds or in a more insightful moment – Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.
Unfortunately our prideful ‘drivenness’ as a nation is misdirected. Being driven is only purposeful when going in the right direction. In other words, being driven only has positive validity when on the right road for the right reason. Hard work is good. Hard work for the wrong reason is boxing the wind.
So what is the problem? During my career I was often asked questions of philosophy, motive, desires and inspiration. My favorite inspirational quotation is “A man understands the meaning of life when he plants trees, knowing he will never sit under their shade.”
It is a bit depressing to think we may someday be looking for shade. The sun of life will not stop shining; and without those that truly understand the importance of pouring oneself into others, then no shade trees can take root.
As we look at all the professions and jobs that exist we understand that individuals have a great capacity for mentoring others. However, too often the purpose of “job” is to increase personal salary and live out the “American Dream.” What a nightmare this “American Dream” chase has become to so many. Those who do not “make it” are depressed and left wanting. Those who “make it” find there is still not complete satisfaction and they, too, are left wanting.
Men were not created to work for themselves alone, men were created for relationships in which they can contribute to making others and themselves better. What better stage to fulfill this than as an educator.
I realize that meeting standards is what appeases the bureaucracy and therefore keeps the school doors open. However, no matter what rule is established, education is still about the people. Common sense and common courtesy… I preached this to so many for so long and still believe it to be a strong foundation to any type of relationship.
Education has changed from having the purpose of developing an individual to contribute to society into being a huge group of institutions trying to master standardized tests. No, No. Don’t get me wrong–I believe in accountability and commitment to task. But I do ask myself as I invest time and energy into a student “What is the goal? A person that performs well on a test? or a person who has learned to enjoy learning and contribute positively to others?”–Simple choice for me.
How can a student be encouraged to enjoy learning new things when the focus is on test taking strategies and on objectives that may be addressed on a test. Educators will say “We have to play the game because those are the cards we have been dealt.” I understand. It’s too bad the deck is stacked against the important things in the educational community.
Education is the best way to facilitate change, but the effected change needs to be properly delineated. Learning new things is exciting — whether a skill learned in a vocational class, the beauty of literature, the facts of history, the appreciation of artistic talent, the method of mathematical problem solving, the intricate structure of DNA, the combination of notes to make a song, the value of teamwork in a game, the flow of another language, etc.
These things are fun, but we are slowly destroying the capacity for joy in the classroom for a majority of students.
Students with high cognitive ability are slowly anesthetized by the focus on test objectives. Students with learning difficulties are manipulated and the system adjusts to help them make sure their objectives are met. Students in between dissociate and see education as a task rather than learning.
Yes, I am concerned. We must invest ourselves into others no matter our career choice. Whether you are an educator or not, the people around you need you. Otherwise, those following you will still be asking , “Where’s the Shade?”
