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.