I think what compels me to remain in the field of education is my truly unfaltering belief that humans (young ones in particular) are endowed with an unlimited capacity to learn, if provided the appropriate environment and resources to do so. I know that sounds pollyannaish but I ‘ve chosen my words carefully. I have personal evidence that supports it, and there is a growing body of research behind students with learning differences (often referred to as disabilities) and even those with mental challenges are often capable of learning more than they are taught. Which means to me that it is the adults responsible for educating (the teachers) than the learners whose perspective is limited.
Thanks for sharing. I think you will [continue to] be an exceptional teacher because of your passion and your commitment to learning.

Thank you for bringing this point up, Debjit. Education was always considered a pursuit to expand one’s thinking and understanding first and foremost before the industrial era.
But the human population was also more in control and tribal/colonial living was still dominant as well.

I often think about how humans have created so many problems -for themselves and for all of the Earth’s inhabitants – simply by ignoring the need to control how many of us exist. I wonder if we examined/studied the conditions under which some of the greatest (and worst) thinking of humanity occurred if we wouldn’t have a better grasp on what is important to derive from an education as both teachers and learners.

I imagine if we did we would have a better perspective on what is important to know and how to connect with the wisdom of our forebearers. Perhaps we could also cure the flawed perspective Edelstein notes of “a liberal arts education grounded in the humanities ‘ being ‘almost universally viewed as the opposite of vocational education.’

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