Tuesday, September 1, 2015
It's back-to-school time: do you love the start of school or dread it?
When I was in school, I don't recall being either especially looking forward to or dreading the start of the school year. It was a nice change over having to entertain ourselves. And while I was a good student, I know I did not fully appreciate the chances I had at the time.
Now that I have children, we had several public school years that ... *ahem* ... were not so successful. The academics were fine. The educational politics of special education, however, nearly did us in. *shudder* It is partly the reason we moved to Kentucky, and at least part of the reason we decided to homeschool our children.
And while I have HUGE issues with the state of public education in the United States today, let me assure you that I have a great deal of admiration for those who want to be or who are teachers. You have a noble calling indeed.
Anyway, when I first thought about this prompt for today, for some reason the soliloquy from Hamlet, "To be or not to be..." came to mind, and refused to leave. So, I went on a little educational poetic rant, and the results are below. Please bare in mind it is basically a first draft. I hope you enjoy it.
~~oOo~~~
To learn or not to learn, that is the question:
Whether 'tis better in the end to endure
The insanity of educational politics
Or to take charge of our own destinies
And by so doing, prosper: to learn, like dogs
No more; and by this choice, to say we end
The mundane, and the thousand slept-through lectures
Which students are prone to? 'Tis an outcome
Desired by many. To graduate
To life, perchance to succeed; whoop! there it is,
For in that adult life, what challenges may come
When we have finished our student years,
We must think on't. September may
Be the beginning of the 'school year'
But should we not be learning every day,
Enriching our minds, engaging our kin,
Watching what our chosen leaders do,
Showing kindness to our neighbors and friends,
And those who are less fortunate than us,
Instead of always thinking of ourselves
With undisguised, meritless self-love?
Let us then resolve to learn the things,
That enable us to contribute our
Best, develop our talents, creating
Better lives for us, our families, and
Taking to account our strengths and weakness
So that we do not stumble unaware.
Is that not the goal of education?
That enables us to be a citizen
In our cities, our countries, and our world
To act in the interests of our sisters
And brothers, and not be acted upon.
Carpe Diem. Carpe Educationem.
Now that I have children, we had several public school years that ... *ahem* ... were not so successful. The academics were fine. The educational politics of special education, however, nearly did us in. *shudder* It is partly the reason we moved to Kentucky, and at least part of the reason we decided to homeschool our children.
And while I have HUGE issues with the state of public education in the United States today, let me assure you that I have a great deal of admiration for those who want to be or who are teachers. You have a noble calling indeed.
Anyway, when I first thought about this prompt for today, for some reason the soliloquy from Hamlet, "To be or not to be..." came to mind, and refused to leave. So, I went on a little educational poetic rant, and the results are below. Please bare in mind it is basically a first draft. I hope you enjoy it.
~~oOo~~~
To learn or not to learn, that is the question:
Whether 'tis better in the end to endure
The insanity of educational politics
Or to take charge of our own destinies
And by so doing, prosper: to learn, like dogs
No more; and by this choice, to say we end
The mundane, and the thousand slept-through lectures
Which students are prone to? 'Tis an outcome
Desired by many. To graduate
To life, perchance to succeed; whoop! there it is,
For in that adult life, what challenges may come
When we have finished our student years,
We must think on't. September may
Be the beginning of the 'school year'
But should we not be learning every day,
Enriching our minds, engaging our kin,
Watching what our chosen leaders do,
Showing kindness to our neighbors and friends,
And those who are less fortunate than us,
Instead of always thinking of ourselves
With undisguised, meritless self-love?
Let us then resolve to learn the things,
That enable us to contribute our
Best, develop our talents, creating
Better lives for us, our families, and
Taking to account our strengths and weakness
So that we do not stumble unaware.
Is that not the goal of education?
That enables us to be a citizen
In our cities, our countries, and our world
To act in the interests of our sisters
And brothers, and not be acted upon.
Carpe Diem. Carpe Educationem.
Nice poem..:-)
ReplyDeleteI never used to look forward opening of school. I used to feel lazy going to school after holidays.
Thanks Mahathi! It was a little hard to get back into the swing of things, I agree.
DeleteLove the rant, Luann. Making good choices for children's education seems to get harder all the world over!
ReplyDeleteI am someone who gets really anxious when school starts again, and this year I am beginning a new course which is going to be quite the something. I am excited but more nervous than anything else.
ReplyDeleteAmazing poem! I used to however look forward to opening of school. Just the first day, though showing off my new uniforms, school bag or whatever! :D
ReplyDeleteThanks, Shalini! We never had 'uniforms' per se, but back when I was in grade school, girls had to wear dresses or skirts. Then when I was in the 5th grade, I think it changed.
DeleteI always admire mums that homeschool - it is such a special thing to do for your children and I'm sure they will look back on it with fond memories (and the knowledge that you saved them from the system!) ~ Leanne
ReplyDeleteThank you, Leanne. Is there a thriving homeschool community in Australia?
Delete