The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character--that is the goal of education. ~Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

 

 

I love this Martin Luther King, Jr. quote because it fits my educational philosophy perfectly. Of course, he does it so powerfully with few words and much more eloquently than I ever could have.

 

It matters not if they can memorize all of the states and captials, solve calculus equations in 6th grade, recite all the steps of mitosis, play an instrument with great proficiency, paint beautifully, or break the pull up gym record if they have not aquired the characteristics of integrity, responsibility, honesty, hard work, or ethical decision making we have failed them as teachers and parents.

 

To add to this we want them to grow up good Christian Catholic boys and girls, as Fr. Kevin said at our opening school mass. We truly want them to be "Christ to One Another" by honoring God, respecting one another, imitating Christ, and developing their talents to glorify God. That is why we recite this creed every morning after our school prayer and before the Pledge of Allegience. Let's join together to help our children grown up with all these attributes.

 

Each day we (faculty, staff, and parents) are closely scrutinized by our children. They see everything we do and they imitate it. Teaching and parenting is challenging, but I am always reminded, it is not always what we taught them, but how we made them feel. Do we make them feel loved and secure by setting boundaries and lovingly enforcing them? Do we make them feel uncomfortable when they have done something inapproriate or wrong? Do we make them feel challenged when they want to choose the easy route rather than the right route?  When we do all of these we give them the coping skills to work through what is right and wrong, disappointment in the wrong decision, and understanding that they won't always get their way.

 

As a fellow parent and educator I recognize we are in the tough business of producing viable citizens, but the rewards are priceless, and when we recognize our work as God's work and follow through with it our reward is eternity.