A certain amount of idealism is crucial to educating children as no one can predict the influences they will encounter in life that will contribute to or sabotage future success. But whether these outside influences are positive or not it’s important to try to instill in each child the confidence in themselves to want to succeed and this can best be attained through the upholding of a moderate level of idealism in teaching.
Teaching a subject is only part of our job as educators. It is key that we use our time in the classroom with children to positively enforce discipline (Ozman), teach an appreciation of others, allow for the growth appropriate for each child’s development, and encourage a love of learning. Perhaps, as the metaphor Plato demonstrates in The Republic of a blinded man seeing for the first time, educators have the power to expose their students to new, unseen worlds. The students already have the potential within them but require assistance in releasing it. We shouldn’t judge that a certain children have no ability or need to learn certain subjects (Ozman). All children must be offered an equal chance to reach their potential. Surely many students will go on to prove correct a teacher who offers all equal chances to succeed, perhaps some even surpassing the educator themselves.
In conclusion one can see how allowing for a little idealism in your assessment of children can be encouraging to educators and students. Educators can assess students on their potential as well as their abilities. What a joy to be the teacher who might change a child’s life! This situation may never come along but without allowing for idealism you’re closing the door on the possibilities. For students, being assessed outside the confines of their class, race, and income allows for change to happen. When change is allowed growth can happen, and with growth brings new knowledge, experience and joy in the process of learning.
No comments:
Post a Comment