Brace yourselves. I am about to tick a lot of you off.
When it comes to students, I deal with two types.
Some of my students join my classes because they want to learn Latin, Greek, or Italian. And, some of my students join my classes because they need a grade or a high-school credit.
Naturally, I love interacting with the first group. I don’t really blame the second group. They are just part of the system. I get it.
But, I wonder, have any of them (or their parents) ever stopped to question the system?
Why DO we educate kids the way we do? Has it always been done this way? Does it work? What does modern education produce? Most students will never question the system… because the system teaches us not to question the system.
I’ve been reading a book that questions the system. Even though I am not done with the book, I am going to recommend it anyway.
I am sure all of you have heard of the book Rich Dad/Poor Dad, by Robert Kiosaki. Well, he has written other books, too. I have read most of them. Somehow, I missed this one. Until now.
This week, I started reading Why “A” Students Work for “C” Students and Why “B” Students Work for the Government: Rich Dad’s Guide to Financial Education for Parents.
Not exactly sure how I missed this one. Anyway, I recommend it. You may not agree with his take on debt, and on investing, and that is fine. But, if you are an American, you need to read his thoughts on education. I have been a teacher now for 20 years. I am an educator. I am an insider. What he says about education is true.
We have raised generations of children who are concerned about grades and credits. And, for what? After school, and after college, does ANYONE ask you for your report card? Does ANYONE care? Not in my experience.
Worse, students are made to feel stupid, or inadequate for failing certain subjects in school. I failed college algebra three times. That one experience torpedoed my confidence. I felt like an idiot. I felt inadequate.
Guess how much I have used algebra since college. Go ahead. I can wait.
I am sure you guessed correctly. Never. Not once. As Mr. Kiosaki says out in the book, “If you grade a fish on its ability to climb a tree, the fish will fail.” The fish might even feel like an idiot.
I have not used algebra once since leaving school. Not once. Guess what I have used every single day of my adult life? Financial math. Basic financial math. I didn’t have a single class in school on this subject.
If you, like me, question the system, then check out Mr. Kiyosaki’s book. If you are interested in acquiring a financial education, then check out Mr. Kiyosaki’s book. And, if all you can think about is the grade you are going to receive in class, you definitely need to read: Why “A” Students Work for “C” Students and Why “B” Students Work for the Government: Rich Dad’s Guide to Financial Education for Parents.
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