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Despite the clamor of world conflicts, the angst over better health care in the US, and the usual criticism of election officials, it is time to think of more basic institutions. What is generally shoved off as "Education" needs to be thought of as a lifelong process.Starting with a bumptious little tyke, unable to talk yet but willing to play the ultimate PR game, adults are confronted with a unique human being. In general he/she will be very curious in the beginning of getting in tune with the environment. Watchful parents/overseers can prevent calamities. However, in the confrontation which occurs between teacher and learner, the latter has the ultimate decision. A child will learn--a question of what is not so clear. Early childhood education proclaims that the age of 6 is a turning point in a child's life. Eating, sleeping, and toilet habits have been formed. Also, with luck, someone (including good pediatricians) will have learned some basics about physical and mental conditions of the new patient. For example, is the autism spectrum perhaps evident?
A child is introduced to formal school and soon understands the regimen of the big world. Most are compliant and want to please. Being too nervous in this regard is a possible sign he will be fit for "top/down" society. With the hope that marching orders are relegated for special reasons, the pre-puberty candidate has a chance to socialize with peers. The character already formed before school can be tried out in a bigger environment. Persons, other than the learner, become very important. It is a time to find out what kinds of personalities exist. Gossip is what grownups may see.
Inevitably, a time to learn what ideas and skills are available comes with teen years. By that time it is obvious that not everyone is a "best friend." The big challenge for a high schooler is to figure out an individual style. Schools accommodate by having classifications--jock, nerd, popular are words we hear. It is also a time to take seriously sexuality while looking at a future away from the old nest. Between trepidation and adventurism comes hours of questions. Little does a young teen realize that adolescence does not stop with a diploma. Why else does it take years before the Department of Motor Vehicles will entrust an applicant with a semi-truck?
If the adventurer (also known as learner) has taken his/her life one step at a time, it is almost certain that the adventurer is anxious for adult activities. If he/she whines about how the family never helped, the school was "dumb" or there wasn't enough money--beware. There is no guarantee of when adolescence is overtaken.
So where does the teacher fit? First of all, only some teachers ever have the name or preside in a classroom. Just as sure as we grow up and are considered competent, we teach. Those who do the job well consider that each learner has his/her own needs and questions.
Isn't the gift of child friendship a precious part of what we consider "progressive" in social interaction?
