 |
| The Brain firing when we think! |
Last evening, I spent time with a remarkable woman, whom I shall name Sylvia.
At one point in
the conversation, Sylvia began to relate some of her life history. She was born in a small Czechoslovakian
village during World War II. At the age
of six, Sylvia and many children, were forced to watch the German army burn
down their homes and shoot the all the men of her little village. After,
fleeing to Germany, Sylvia worked to create a life for herself. She recounted
to me, how she was blessed to receive a very good education from Catholic nuns.
This education taught her to work hard and to always strive to better herself.
Years later, she
arrived in New York City. One of the first things told to her, was that she had
to find two jobs! Laziness was not tolerated and everyone had to do their
share. Sylvia’s drive to better herself, guided her all her life and through
many jobs.
She recently
retired. Days before her retirement, she was busy training the young girl who
was to replace her. The girl asked Sylvia, how was she able to know exactly
what to do when things were difficult. And the answer Sylvia gave is one of the
most powerful statements I have heard in a long time.
Sylvia’s answer
was brilliant in its truth and simplicity: “I can think.”
“I can think.” Isn’t
this the whole purpose of educating our children? To teach them how to think?
To have our children think logically and for themselves so that they will not succumb
to today’s group think.
This is why, such things as precise diagramming,
Latin and Greek root words, critical thinking problems, Logic…, are of extreme
importance. This is why a full Liberal Arts curriculum is so valuable. A
Liberal Arts curriculum teaches children how to think critically and determine
their own lives. A liberal arts education’s goal is
to nurture the growth of human talent in order to prepare individuals for a
fulfilling and meaningful life in a free society.
“I can think”
should be the raison d’etre of every education system.
“I can think”
should be the goal of every curriculum.
“I can think” should
be the graduation criteria.
God’s gift to us
is the ability to reason. Let’s not forget, in the midst of the busyness of
teaching, that “I can think,” is the best gift we can give to our
children.
