today's lesson: 12 reasons to be thankful for education

There is no greater, more challenging, far-reaching, life-altering, self-improving, immensely satisfying blessing in this life than the life-long process of gaining an education.

I was touched while reading this article, "12 Reasons to Be Thankful You are a Teacher."
Rather than focus on the hum-drum issues and controversies surrounding education, I thought I would join in the spirit of Thanksgiving and remind myself and others of the reasons we devote ourselves to this profession. Here it goes.

12 Reasons to be thankful for education:

1. There is no greater, more challenging, far-reaching, life-altering, self-improving, immensely satisfying blessing in this life than the life-long process of gaining an education. So that's an all-encompassing, completely true, reason number one.

2. It unites communities. And cities. And states and towns and countries. It brings entire villages together working toward a common goal.

3. It challenges us. Sometimes just a little bit. Sometimes beyond belief.

4. It is never completely finished. What a blessing it is to realize we are never done learning. We may wear the graduation cap, say all the right things while receiving our diploma, and walk out the door to the unexpected, but our educations are never complete. There is always something out there waiting for our minds to catch on. Always something waiting to be learned.

5. It's nearly impossible to fail at learning. Sure you can fail a paper, a test, a final, even. But ultimately, you cannot fail at learning. It is always possible for everyone. A God-given right for all humankind.

6. Education equals freedom. Freedom from small-mindedness, freedom from ignorance, freedom to explore. {Maybe even freedom from financial burdens, someday.}

7. Education knows no limits.

8. It provides opportunities. Great big, endless ones. The kind that, when embraced, go on forever.

9. Education allows us all to be teachers and students. We can be both anytime, anywhere. There is no reason to be one or the other. Teach, learn, teach, learn. The cycle will go on forever.

10. Our country provides it for free. In fact, it requires it. It encourages it. It believes in it.

11. It reminds us of our human responsibilities. We learn from history so as not to repeat it. {Or maybe to repeat some of it...?} We learn from science how to treat our mother earth with tender loving care. We learn from English to show compassion, to move forward, to think deeply about one another. We learn to be accountable by learning of our surroundings.

12. It connects us as humans. After all, we are what we know. Knowledge allows us to make connections to our families, friends, coworkers, classmates, colleagues, to the world. It builds upon itself and flourishes when treated with care.

today's lesson: changing education paradigms

This guy has hit the nail on the educational head. Check this out.

Not only are we anesthetizing our children to get them through school, we refuse to change. We judge them individually. We group them according to one characteristic and one characteristic only...Age. And then we judge them according to how we think they should be judged. Thus, many brilliant people do not think they are brilliant because the "scale" does not fit them appropriately.

It is true that the educational system developed in colonial times was for students in colonial times. What else would it be for? Does it take a genius to figure out that the system we develop today should match the needs and interests of students today? Sounds to me like we all have the capacity for brilliance. We must toughen up, stop medicating, judging, and comparing, and maybe start learning. We are not going to get where we need to go by staying where we are. It's as simple as that.

today's lesson: life is for learning

What did I learn? What does it mean? How can I use it to inform in my own life?

These are the three questions Penn State Professor Bernard Badiali pleads with his students to ask concerning the recent sex abuse scandal that broke out last week. In fact, he pleads with them to ask these questions no matter which situation life throws at them. It is not surprising that the tragedy has shed light on not only the university's athletic program, but the institution as a whole.

Not only does Professor Badiali ask questions, he also answers them. And he provides a bit of inspiration in the midst of disaster:

"Our whole tradition of reflection in your preparation program is essentially that we should try to think deeply about what our observations and experiences really mean. Through our classes and activities in the College of Education, we are always urging you to look beneath the surface, try to make sense of what is going on, and use that knowledge to inform the way we act and think in the future. This way of seeing the world implies that we must give extra effort to understanding human nature as well as human actions. It is not an easy habit to maintain, but it is a habit of mind that is essential if you intend to be a great teacher."

I admire Professor Badiali courage to face the scandal head-on and provide at least a glimpse of hope for the aspiring teachers. He encourages continued pride in Penn State, and furthermore encourages the continuation of developing great teachers.

At the end of his letter he makes one last remark regarding former head coach Joe Paterno: 

"I have also been thinking more about the words of Parker Palmer (who founded the Center for Courage and Renewal, in Bainbridge Island, Wash.): 'Your life is your message.'"

If that is so it wouldn't do any of us harm to stop and ask ourselves:

What did I learn?

What does it mean?

How can I use it to inform in my own life?

And then go forward with faith.

happy american education week!

This week, November 13-19 marks the 90th annual celebration of education in America. This year the theme being celebrated is: "Great Public Schools: A Basic Right and Our Responsibility."

American Education Week is a time to reflect and recognize the relationships between students, teachers, parents, staff, the community, and all who make education in American possible.

Don't mind me for going off on a little tangent here. After conducting some research on the topic, I am awed and inspired by all those who support and celebrate American Education Week. The National Education Association, the American Legion, colleges across America...the list goes on and on. Check out this article to see what you can do to join in the celebration.

With all the doom and gloom surrounding education these days, it is reassuring to know there are still so many supporters and advocates for education in America. Low test scores, outrageous sex scandals, lazy students, whiny teachers...we hear it all. However, what we don't often hear is how dedicated and devoted millions of Americans are to education.

There are countless teachers out there who will not sleep tonight because they are preparing tomorrow's lesson. Thousands of students rewritingg that essay until it is just perfect for submission. College students having nightmares about their biology test tomorrow. Can we please get a round of applause for these people? These people who care. Who work hard. Who don't give up.

What a blessing it is to have such an opportunity as we do. Free public education. Not limited to the rich, the white, or the brilliant. Free for all...for minorities, for majorities, for every race, gender, social class, financial status, mental disability, and child prodigy out there.


It is time to stand up and celebrate education in America. It is time to shed light on those who care. Public education would not be possible without the collaboration of students, parents, staff members, principals, secretaries, community members, school boards, and educators. Each of these people has a hand in the education of a single child. It takes a village. And it is time to celebrate that village.