When asked to think about what is the purpose of school, immediately my mind
thought of to better prepare children for their futures. I believe that schools
teach fundamental skills that young developing children need to learn to be
successful adults. In school you learn how to read, write, problem solve,
socialize, and much more that you may not even realize you are learning as you
are. A lot of people agree that this is the purpose of schools. But it cannot be
this simple. In the article, What is the Purpose of School? Stephen Sawchuk,
mentions how “students will face difficultly learning in they are not fed,
clothed, and nurtured.” So then we must ask ourselves, how can schools meet all
of these needs? I do not think the schools can do this alone, as they are
constantly facing “more mandates and expectations from legislators,” (Sawchuk,
2021) and working with not enough money to face all of these issues. One
solution to this crisis of schools having too much to try and help is through
the community schools movement which “aims to build academic and social-service
partnersgips on school campuses.” (Sawchuk, 2021) Studies have found according
to this article, that there are academic benefits to this. It is difficult to
organize these partnerships in a way that produces results and effectively uses
funds.
I wish there was a concrete solution where we could snap our fingers and all
students would be well-fed and ready to learn, but that is not the case. I do
however believe that if more people became aware of the problems children face
in our school systems, they would be more inclined to help. In the book, This
Book Will Make You Kinder, author Henry James Garrett says that “false beliefs
can switch your empathy off.” (Garrett 95) So, if we believe that “poverty- and
the suffering it causes- is a sad but inescapable side effect” (Garrett 100) of
the world we live in, we are switching off our ability to feel empathy for those
affected by these crises. Whereas, on the flip side, if we don't accept poverty
as something that has to happen, we can be more empathetic and inclined to do
everything we can to help those affected.
Citations:
Garrett, H. (2020). This
Book Will Make You Kinder. Penguin Books.
Sawchuk, S. (2021). What is the
Purpose of School? Education Week.
I wish there was a concrete solution where we could snap our fingers and all
students would be well-fed and ready to learn, but that is not the case. I do
however believe that if more people became aware of the problems children face
in our school systems, they would be more inclined to help. In the book, This
Book Will Make You Kinder, author Henry James Garrett says that “false beliefs
can switch your empathy off.” (Garrett 95) So, if we believe that “poverty- and
the suffering it causes- is a sad but inescapable side effect” (Garrett 100) of
the world we live in, we are switching off our ability to feel empathy for those
affected by these crises. Whereas, on the flip side, if we don't accept poverty
as something that has to happen, we can be more empathetic and inclined to do
everything we can to help those affected.
Citations:
Garrett, H. (2020). This
Book Will Make You Kinder. Penguin Books.
Sawchuk, S. (2021). What is the
Purpose of School? Education Week.
With all of the pressure that schools are under to teach to standardized tests it is hard to think of how they can meet the needs of all the students. Challenging the overly bright ones, supporting those falling behind, all while making sure that they have food either at school or home or both, but also finding ways to meet their SEL needs. Thankfully many schools, especially here in Texas, have been able to partner with programs like Boys and Girls Club, YMCA, and Communities in Schools to help ease the burden from teachers and schools. Afterall, it takes a village to raise a child and schools are just a portion of that village.
ReplyDeleteSo grateful we have resources like the ones you listen, thank you for sharing! It does take a village to raise a child, it is such an important task!
DeletePreparing children for their futures is a great purpose for schools. However, I agree that not all schools meet the needs of their students. With the help of the community it is very possible that we can come closer to give the future of our world the necessary resources they need to prosper. Perhaps there needs to be more awareness because teachers unfortunately don't have the funds to provide. Otherwise, I'm sure they would. The spectrum of students varies so much that it seems so different to cater to every students' needs without necessities whether that be teachers or supplies. Hopefully, with time the education system is credited for its work and given everything that is needed for students to flourish and be prepared for the next chapters of their lives.
ReplyDeleteHi Heidi! I do wish teachers had the funds to make every child's life better, I am hopeful that in the future we are able to make a big difference and change things for the better, thank you for commenting!
DeleteHi Emily!
ReplyDeleteI think it is really important for schools to take a step back and rethink the ways they can meet the needs of their students. For example, at the school where my Mom is an elementary principal at, they have a room where the kids who are affected by poverty can go to to "shop" for their needs. This includes toiletries, hygiene items, clothes, and shoes. This is all run by the surrounding community through donations. This is a good example of what it means to take care of your students while taking care of your students. If you can nurture their minds why not nurture their lives as well? Community involvement is essential to the foundations of schools. Without PTO, volunteers, and donations, this "shopping room" would not be possible. I had the chance to visit it in action myself and it made me rethink the way I live. I have been fortunate enough to not have to worry about the things these young children have to worry about. I think we all need to take a step back and put ourselves in our students shoes.
That is so awesome that your moms school does that! It would be awesome to see more schools and communities join forces and provide a service like that! I also agree with you that we do need to put ourselves in our students shoes, thank you for commenting!
DeleteHey Emily! Great blog by the way! I definitely thought the same thing when I read the topic of the blog. The question seems like there is a simple and obvious answer. But unfortunately it is not. Teachers play so many different roles in kid’s lives. Not only are they expected to follow the guidelines of what to teach, the materials to use, and how much their kids need to know by the next grade. But they are the kid’s in their classroom’s friend, comfort zone, and biggest fan through the whole year. As sad as it is, some kids don’t get the support mentally or physically at home so they come to school looking for that consistency and love. It is so unfortunate that teachers don’t get paid more because of all that they do. Aside from the pay, teachers need so much support after all that they do for those kids. School is so complex and needed in so many different ways.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you completely Bella, I am hopeful for a better future! I think our generation of incoming teachers is going to make a big change for the better, I am excited to see what the future brings, thank you for commenting!
ReplyDelete