I’m a teacher and will state without any trace of false modesty that I’m damned good at what I do. I love to teach. I live to teach. More to the point, I used to love my job. Unfortunately, that job has changed so much over the past few years that I no longer recognize it. As a colleague said to me recently, “All this paperwork really interferes with my teaching.” I concur and hope to explore here and in future posts what has happened.
So there are a few things I need to know. Let’s start with what’s bothering me the most lately. When did I miss the memo stating that the purpose of post-secondary education is job training? Yes, I was bored and missed most of the ‘80’s but I’ve tried hard to keep up and pay attention since then. Call me old-fashioned, but I still believe the purpose of education is to open minds and that it is not, and never should be, to train and place workers.
Wasn’t it was Socrates who said, "I cannot teach anybody anything. I can only make them think"? I value exposing students to new ideas, helping them to think critically and, building their self-esteem. I get up out of bed each morning to do those very things. The rewards are great and can’t be expressed in formula, rubrics or spreadsheets.
A person who has the ability to read, write and think logically will be a better citizen, a better parent, and, of course, a better employee. But here’s the rub, we cannot measure the value of an individual’s education by a resume or a W-2. How I wish the paper pushers would stop trying!
Focus on this mission statement from Bates College:
Since 1855, Bates College has been dedicated to the emancipating potential of the liberal arts. Bates educates the whole person through creative and rigorous scholarship in a collaborative residential community. With ardor and devotion -- Amore ac Studio -- we engage the transformative power of our differences, cultivating intellectual discovery and informed civic action. Preparing leaders sustained by a love of learning and a commitment to responsible stewardship of the wider world, Bates is a college for coming times.
Read through the mission statement for USM:
The University of Southern Maine, northern New England's outstanding public, regional, comprehensive university, is dedicated to providing students with a high quality, accessible, affordable education. Through its undergraduate, graduate and professional programs, USM faculty members educate future leaders in the liberal arts and sciences, engineering and technology, health and social services, education, business, law and public service. Distinguished for their teaching, research, scholarly publication and creative activity, the faculty are committed to fostering a spirit of critical inquiry and civic participation. USM embraces academic freedom for students, faculty, and staff, and advocates diversity in all aspects of its campus life and academic work. It supports sustainable development, environmental stewardship, and community involvement. As a center for discovery, scholarship and creativity, USM provides resources for the state, the nation, and the world.
Here’s a like to the mission statement for Harvard College which is really too long to post here: http://www.harvard.edu/siteguide/faqs/faq110.php
Do we really want to stray too much further from these ideals? I’m advocating “Amore ac Studio”. How about you?
