Filling Pails – Lighting Fires
September 20, 2011
The famed Irish poet W.B. Yeats said “Education is not the filling of a pail but the lighting of a fire.” I firmly believe that great education is the product of passionate teachers, hungry students and supportive families and administrators. Often times, members of our educational system simply get a bad reputation for not caring and pushing kids through the system and allowing unprepared, under-educated students to enter college and the workforce. Colleges are accused of being places money is wasted and students learn little to nothing with regards to the real world. I disagree vehemently but welcome the opportunity to make my case. I’m not someone who assigns blame and points fingers. While changes in both the K-12 and higher education realm are needed, revisions and growth will come through sensible dialogue and intelligent discourse. Then, hopefully will policy follow sesnible debate.
But before we get started talking about massive, sweeping changes and all of the pitfalls and drama that goes with reform, let’s start off by simply saying that my name is Tom and I’m your success advocate in education and life. I want to share my thoughts, findings and passion for learning and teaching with everyone that wants to hear it. I also want to share the same passion and thoughts from you the readers with others. The above quote is very special to me because I know that if people anywhere are going to become successful and happy, it all starts with education and learning (at many levels and in many different forms). So if nothing else, perhaps we can agree that the proverbial “fire” which Yeats spoke of could be a flame to set the world ablaze with our collective desire to live, to teach, to love and to give. Stay tuned as this is my first blog entry ever; but great things usually have humble beginnings.
Your life is a gift, share it generously and wisely my friends.
Tom