Back to School

It is that time of year when students venture into the first day of school in the classrooms of America, some for the first time, some for the last. Some are excited, some are nervous, some are scared and some couldn't care less. They are about to embark upon a year of learning. They may learn some incredibly valuable things over the next few months which will inform and direct their lives in a particular direction. They may learn some things that they never thought possible. They could learn concepts that send them in a direction towards the cure of cancer. They may learn that the guy two rows over that just stuck his tongue out at them will go on to be the best friend they will ever have. They may learn that with enough effort, anything is possible. They may learn that some people are just cruel. 

There is no end to the possibilities. The future is an empty canvas, waiting to be filled with the most magnificent beauty imaginable. We can't teach them what to paint, only that painting is possible. We can't teach them what to see, only that they need to open their eyes and look. There are many things that we can't teach, but there are none that can't be learned. Let the journey begin.

History is filled with great teachers. We all have our favorites, those who reached us in a way that others didn't. Those who reached out to us in ways no one else tried. Those who understood their role as teachers and the importance of that job. That teacher in my life was a man named Tommy Esslinger. He didn't teach classic literature, American history, physics or some other subject thought to be "important". What subject he taught is largely irrelevant. What he taught was what no textbook ever included. He taught me that I mattered. He took the time to let me know he genuinely cared for me, not so much for what skill I learned in his classes, but for me, a fellow human being. He was not always the nicest guy. But he was always genuine. He taught me one other thing that I am forever indebted to him for. He taught me that it was OK to make a mistake or to fail, but it was not OK to let the mistake win. Tommy Esslinger was the favorite teacher of many students who came into contact with him. This is not by chance. Mr. Esslinger was a great teacher. 

My wife and I debated at length about the education of our children. We finally decided that it was in their best interest to be home schooled. We are very fortunate to have someone in our lives who has helped us in this process, very fortunate. The things we try to teach them goes beyond reading, writing and arithmetic. We try to teach them everything that life will demand that they know if they are to be successful. At this point, the public schools here are not only abandoning those kinds of things, but they are teaching them things that are detrimental to that. 

Samuel Adams, while Governor of Massachusetts, addressed the legislature in 1794. Included in his speech was the following passage: (emphasis mine)

It has been observed, that "education has a greater influence on manners, than human laws can have." Human laws excite fears and apprehensions, least crimes committed may be detected and punished: But a virtuous education is calculated to reach and influence the heart, and to prevent crimes. A very judicious writer, has quoted Plato, who in shewing what care for the security of States ought to be taken of the education of youth, speaks of it as almost sufficient to supply the place both of Legislation and Administration. Such an education, which leads the youth beyond mere outside shew, will impress their minds with a profound reverence of the Deity, universal benevolence, and a warm attachment and affection towards their country. It will excite in them a just regard to Divine Revelation, which informs them of the original character and dignity of Man; and it will inspire them with a sense of true honor, which consists in conforming as much as possible, their principles, habits, and manners to that original character. It will enlarge their powers of mind, and prompt them impartially to search for truth in the consideration of every subject that may employ their thoughts; and among other branches of knowledge, it will instruct them in the skill of political architecture and jurisprudence; and qualify them to discover any error, if there should be such, in the forms and administration of Governments, and point out the method of correcting them. 

Show me a public school, especially one operating under the tragedy of Common Core teaching, where they will learn those things. Reverence of God? Love of country? Search for truth? I see just the opposite in many, many instances. 

I have no doubt that there are many great teachers in the system, I know several personally. I am confident that they do all they can to influence the students in their class in the ways that the Tommy Esslingers of the world do. What I do doubt, is that they have the freedom to do so effectively. The education system, as a whole, is a huge funnel, directing as many students as possible in a certain direction. I am not comfortable with that direction. I think it is dangerous and counter-productive to the future of our nation. 

I encourage you to research what your child is being taught, and how. Find out for yourself what is being splashed across your child's canvas. If you don't like what you see, do something about it. But don't wait too long, paint dries fast and they only have one canvas.

Thank you Mr. Esslinger for everything you did.