Lost Art of Education

The other day my father was talking to me about how education seems to be going down the drain. He read an article about how most people would fail a test that was given to 2nd graders in the latter end of the 19th century. How is that possible? Should we be smarter in this technology era, where the answer to every question is just a few clicks away?
I have been thinking back at my own personal education. I have always enjoyed school, and learning new things. I have had many great teachers, those who are passionate not only about teaching, but bringing joy to learning. I have also had some not so good teachers. My third grade teacher was great, she helped me to learn my multiplication and also gave me a sense of respect for others and our freedoms. My fourth grade teacher made learning exciting and fun, helped me to learn how to do research and reach for my goals. Now as we move onto my fifth grade teacher, They were one of those who weren't the best, but they also weren't the worst either. I learned a great deal in that class, but I know I wasn't taught all which I needed to know. When use student became "difficult" to handle, our teacher would take us to the gym and we would play dodge-ball, most weeks we were in the gym at least 3 times. By the end of the year we would have been able to take gold in the Olympics for dodge-ball!
Fifth grade was the year in which we were to learn about our nation, the history and current affairs of it. I remember we learned about slavery, and how terrible we were as a nation to be involved in it. I wasn't taught anything about the 50 states and capitals, which later on I found out I was supposed to know, being quizzed on them in 8th and 9th grades. I wasn't taught all which I needed to know, I missed out with my education. A lot of times we can blame our education on ourselves, I mean, who really pays attention 100% in every class? I know I didn't and still don't. But also there is a blame on our teachers and also on their salaries.
When I was little, my teachers had a passion for teaching, I could tell that they enjoyed what they were doing, and I learned a lot more from them. But as I grew older I could tell that teacher's enthusiasm was beginning to dwindle, there wasn't that sparkle in their eyes, that spark of joy in their voice. What has been the cause of this decay? I would say that there are a few things. First one is teachers don't get paid enough. Would you rather have you boss get paid big bucks, or would you want the person who is helping to shape your child's future more? Looking it like that makes it a no brainer.  Society has put the blame of bad grades onto the heads of teachers. Yes there are some teachers that just aren't that great at teaching, but there are more students who just don't care about learning, or are just terrible at school. We see more and more student blame their unpreparedness on teachers, instead of taking the blame for their own actions. Lastly it seems that students are starting to lose the passion for learning. Students just want to know when the next update will be available for their phone, or how many likes their photo scored on Instagram. They also want to have the most "friends" on Facebook.
I would like to end with a challenge, one to get you all thinking. What can you do to increase your passion for learning? I would love to hear your ideas, please comment below your ideas and thoughts. Also if you would like to read another article I wrote on different styles of teachers, click here.

Never Forget

This week has really got me thinking, thinking about the freedoms I have been blessed with my whole life. Freedom to believe what I may. Freedom to choose my career. Freedom to protect my family with any means. Freedom to voice my opinions. Freedom to love who I want to love.
The list of freedoms can be listed on and on. There are many nations in the world that also enjoy freedom, but I live in America, so I want to keep my focus here on America for the time. There seems to be more and more people who want to take away our freedoms, force us to purchase certain merchandise or services. Force us to accept beliefs and acts to be correct. Force us to fear the opinions of others. And force us to stay in silence. America is not the same as it used to be.
I remember growing up, every day in elementary school, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, allegiance to freedom and choice, allegiance to a nation of respect. Once in high school, that Allegiance was recited only once a week, and the National Anthem, The Star Spangled Banner, seemed to have become a myth, a forgotten carol. The sense of freedom had turned into a sense of entitlement. This is not the nation of freedom I grew up in.
This past week we honored and remembered that many men and women who lost their lives in the name of freedom, who lost their lives at the hands of terrorists. I still remember this day where I was at when I heard of the events of that day, I still remember watching that second plane crash into that tower. I still remember the years to follow, where I got to ring a bell for one of the individuals slain. I still remember having that fear of the what ifs, what if that happened here, what if someone I knew was in that tower, what if I was the one killed? Back then we were afraid of those people who wanted to rid us of our freedoms. Today we are now afraid to offend those same people, we don't want to offend anyone, so we let them take away our freedoms, one by one. Soon what freedoms will we have left? We live in uncertain times now. We must make a stand, a stand for freedom, and stand for a better future. I ask you all to look back at your lives, go back and remember that Pledge you recited many years ago, look at those words, and feel the power behind them. Remember the blood sacrificed for them. Next listen and sing along with pride to the words of the Star Spangled Banner, do you see what Francis Scott Key saw those many years ago? I ask you to not give up on this country, but stand up for our freedoms.

Beliefs vs. Laws

The war is heating up between what has been made law and the beliefs of people. Recently in Kentucky, Kim Davis, a county clerk refused to issue a marriage license to those wishing to have a same-sex marriage, and because of this she was put in jail. There are many different ways in which people are viewing this act of law breaking. There are those who feel that she is doing wrong, and because she is standing up for her beliefs and breaking the law that she is where she needs to be. But on the other end of the spectrum there are those who say that she is a hero, a hero for the first amendment. 

Let me ask you this, if you were in her shoes, had the same job as she, and also the same beliefs, what would you do? At the moment I am not sure what I would do, I am a Christian, and I live up to my values and beliefs, I do believe that marriage should only be between a man and a woman. But Davis was a government worker, one who is supposed to uphold the law. Just like a police officer doesn't make the law, but enforces it. 

Rosa Parks

Davis's story reminds me of another one, one that took place many years ago, before I was even born. This story is also about a woman who stood up for her beliefs, and broke the law, just as Davis, she was arrested, but now she is reared as a hero, a hero for equality, a hero for love, and a hero for peace. This courageous lady was Rosa Parks. She refused to give up her seat to a white person, which, according to the city law she was required to give up her seat and stand because she was black. 

Now I know that Davis broke the law, and because she broke the law she should be punished, but is being arrested and put in jail the right punishment for this crime? Should Rosa Parks have been put in prison? I am not going to tell you what I think is right or wrong, but I want you all to get thinking. Thinking about where this country is going, thinking about if this country still upholds and sustains the first amendment, and thinking about if the laws that are in effect are the right ones.

I would love to hear your opinions on the matter, please comment below!