So you'll notice the topic of this post is "Education." That is something I'm passionate about as a retired educator and daughter of an educator and a strong educational supporter. So of course I was stunned when someone tweeted an article on how many GOP'ers now consider colleges "bad for America." Although the author engages in some speculation about the reasoning behind this trend, I just shake my head. How could ANYONE not support education? I know how much I value my education, how much my Mom valued hers, and how my Dad valued the education he did have and sometimes wished he'd had more. He certainly always valued learning. He often told me: ' Once you get it in your head, they can't take it out!" We should all realize what a real treasure education is.
So time to blog about education. But surprisingly, the bulk of this post is not taking the form I'd expected. It turns out I will be presenting a new poem. So I hope you enjoy and maybe even find it enlightening or stimulating.
Education Is...
Education is priceless
But yours has been paid for by early advocates of free public schools
By those who resisted norms and regulations
Restricting or outlawing the education of enslaved Americans
By those who sought to open educational pathways
Where women and girls had been excluded
Education is a gift
But yours must be unwrapped
By your study and synthesis
By your questions and analysis
By your search for contexts and meanings
Education is more than simple recall of facts
For yours should include
Learning and study skills
Inquiry and research skills
Development of the habit of thinking critically
Learning when and how your knowledge can be applied
Education is transfomative
Yours should prepare you
But also challenge and inspire you
Open worlds before you
Lift you and equip you to lift others
Education should be a right
But yours should also be a privilege
Connecting you with what has gone before
Encouraging you to explore new trends
Fostering your developing mind and self
Education should be lifelong
Yours should not stop when formal school days end
Seek to grow and refuse to stagnate
Continue reading, questioning, researching
And engaging with the world around you
And now some references you might find of interest
Public Schools Rising
American Ed. History Timeline
Education Under Slavery
Read of Mathematician Sophie Germain's dedication to learning despite early discouragement from parents!
Note AAUW's first study: Higher Ed. did NOT damage women's health
Remember: Comments are GOLD and sharing is caring. Do share any thoughts in comments!
Great blog and cleaver poem. You blogs are hidden and not readily available to most. Hope you can get more exposeure. When are you going to write that book?
ReplyDeleteHi there, cmsue! Great having you stop by - and comment! So glad you like the blog - and this poem!
DeleteI certainly would love to have my blog get more exposure. Not sure what else I can do, though.
About my poetry book... I have almost enough poems. Do want a few more to ensure I have enough after final cut. Targeting to have 52 - 61 in finished volume!