Today our nation celebrates our
day of independence, and it is good to remember that our free public school
system is the very foundation of our democracy.
In other countries, schooling
was only for the children of the elite. Here, we take all comers. We give
everyone the opportunity to learn, regardless of family background, wealth or
even aptitude.
And what do we teach our
children in our classrooms?
Pablo Casals made a wonderful
comment about educational ideals for our children.
He said, “Each moment we live
never was before and will never be again. And yet what we teach children in
school is 2 + 2 = 4, and Paris is the capital of France.
“What we should be teaching them
is what they are.
“We should be saying: ‘Do you
know what you are? You are a marvel. You are unique. In all the world there is
no other child exactly like you.
“In the millions of years that
have passed there has never been another child exactly like you. You may become
a Shakespeare, a Michelangelo, a Beethoven. You have the capacity for anything.
Yes, you are a marvel.”
Good thoughts for all to hear —
and a true indicator of our freedom and opportunities.
