Education? Today I....

chaperoned 534 7th graders to a historical ranch thats purpose was to teach the history of its land. We went from Nativity styled tent to tent starting in the early 1700's and ended up in 1920.

The kids were bored. Why would they be interested in a musket, when they have access to AK-47's on PlayStation? Why would they care about Morse code when they all use email? How could a steer be worth more than a human being or better yet actually become a Big Mac? A Black Smith worked his iron as the 10 school buses idled their diesel engines yet their was no relationship or pattern or historical trace of connection made by any? Has the importance of history been lost? Was our educational system not doing a good enough job?

13 year old girls were walking around looking like they were 18. Other kids looked they should have been still in the 5th grade. Some boys had mustaches. Hip Huggers were in.....again?. The history teacher looked like a playboy centerfold. And she let EVERYONE know it. Boys and Girls flirting, petting, hugging, chasing, slapping, and positioning themselves for their future. I found myself back in 7th grade laughing, not having a care in the world, yet also remembering that 7th grade had its downside - being scared to go home after school - never wanting to disappoint my parents. Today I chaperoned walking around scared for another reason. My kid was growing up.

Were we being educated today?

YES! Absolutely YES!

Education is not about being taught what to know, but about how to live. Education is LIFE.

I picked up both my 7th and 8th grade boys today from football at 5:00. Devin was proudly telling Tyler how I was unlike all the other "Mom" chaperone's and that it was really cool that I gave out the answers to the assignment for the trip. That "everyone wanted to be in Dad's group". Tyler was sad though. He sheepishly informed me that he had only gotten a 78 on his Science test.

I smiled.

"WHATEVER" I said and asked "What do you guys want to do tonight?"

"Lets do something FUN Dad"

TGIF

positive memories are more powerful than any educational degree