In praise of Old School education
An old illustration reapplied: The late Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart once said he could not define pornography, but he sure knew it when he saw it. I cannot define Old School education; however, I am Exhibit A of an Old School education. Proof follows:
1. Between 1947 and 1955, I attended a small rural grade school (Junior High hadn’t been invented). One teacher per classroom, teaching two grades: First and second, third and fourth etc. While one grade was reciting, reading aloud, or doing blackboard exercises, the other awaiting grade did assignments in preparation for their turn. Memorization and penmanship was stressed. We memorized poems from Poe, Service, Longfellow, Kipling, Tennyson, Frost and many others. We also memorized portions of important historical documents. Discipline was immediately dispensed, probably too harsh by today’s standards. The right hand side of the report card informed parents of “citizenship” matters. My future avocation and vocation was hatched by reading about a Kansas farm boy—Tombaugh---discovering Pluto. Edison, Franklin, Pasteur, Wright Brothers, and others guided my interest in science. We enjoyed two recesses each day ---no organizers, no supervisors. Fights in lower grades were stopped by older students.
2. In my opinion, Old School education built this great nation, built strong citizens and contributed to building strong families. The question then and today: What is the purpose of education? For me, it is learning to learn. Education, regardless of content, is never a graduation from learning; but a continuing opening of new vistas in information, inspiration, and dedication to making a difference in our woefully short life. In grad school, my major professor illuminated a pathway in my understanding of education when he would often opine that Process can be Content. (Don’t try understanding this while driving!) Many of our doctors and scientists who come from outside America have roots deep in Old School education.
3. Our teachers today are overworked and underappreciated. Society has now defined teaching as the last knot for students to hold on to before adulthood. That knot includes substance and emotional abuse, sex education, maternal counseling, conflict resolution at school and at home, financial assistance, helping new students to “the land of the free and home of the brave” to assimilate, helping students with single parent issues, dress and behavior standards, and maybe, just maybe, some time for course material.
Glenn <><
