Goals and Purpose of Education: The primary goal of education is to prepare students for a lifelong journey of learning and functioning in society. It is important to provide students with fundamental knowledge, or the basics to build on. These include math, reading, writing, social studies and science. Cultural awareness, appreciation and respect for diversity should also be an emphasis in education. Because society is made up of a diverse group of people, racially, linguistically and culturally, the school community should focus its attention on appreciation and acceptance for differences, humanities and world citizenship.

Teachers: Knowledge should be acquired in a safe and supportive environment. The teacher should be seen as the facilitator of knowledge and skills. As a facilitator, she should provide her students with a variety of methods to promote learning and understanding. Various teaching methods should be incorporated. Usage of visual, auditory, verbal, technological and “hands-on” activities enable all students to learn more effectively. Knowledge of students, their previous experiences, needs and interests is critical in effectively helping each student reach their full potential. A teacher is a guide. She guides her students in the learning process and encourages them to develop a love of learning. Additionally, educators must have the heart of a teacher. The absence of a love for teaching and learning robs children of the best education possible.

Collaboration Among Teachers and Community: Teachers should work together to educate their students. Teaching involves teamwork and communication with like-minded people. Collaboration among teachers, including, sharing of knowledge, content, strategies and methods benefits teachers and students alike. The involvement of the community is also important. Community involvement includes, partnerships, volunteering of time and donations. Learning suffers without the support of families and community members.

Students: With the support of teachers, parents and the community, students should be motivated to learn. They are responsible to use the materials provided to gain knowledge. Students are the center of education. Children truly are the future of this country and the world. We should provide them with the resources to learn and build an understanding so they are able to contribute in their own way to society and the world in the future.

Student-centered Curriculum: Education must not be sterile and passive. Students best learn when they are engaged and have a genuine interest in learning. Classrooms should be student-centered. The day-to-day education of children must incorporate their interests and needs rather than the needs of the teacher. Though sometimes necessary, book-work and work sheets should rarely be used. Physical contact with the subject matter encourages students to apply concepts to the real world. The classroom should be set up in a manner that incorporates various “learning styles.” A variety of “work stations,” tables, couches, pillows, mats etc., throughout the classroom enable students to learn in a way that is comfortable for them.

Interaction and Communication: School is an institution that should encourage interaction with peers, elders, and other members of society. Communication is essential to function in society. Problem solving is also very important. To encourage communication skills to work with other people, teachers should facilitate cooperative learning for her students. A good communication base enables students to learn from their interactions and thus succeed in life.

Focus on the Process: Education should have a focus on the process of acquiring knowledge. Learning by trial-and-error allows students to see their strengths and weaknesses and better understand their metacognition. Knowledge and consciousness of the process helps students to better understand concepts and ideas and enable them to live a life of inquiry.

Integrated and Meaningful Curriculum: Concepts taught in school should have connection to one another. Application of knowledge to various aspects of learning is beneficial. To increase the capability of memory, many connections should be made.
All learning should seek to have meaning to the lives of children. Teachers should be sure to demonstrate the purpose of each task. For example, if students are learning the division of fractions, a model of the concept and its application to their lives should be provided. Students will be more motivated if they can see the application of concepts to their world.

The world is ever changing, as are the goals and needs of education. Today, educators need to foster a rich and safe learning environment that will contribute to students’ needs to grow as an individual and construct their understanding of the world. With a good education, which places the needs and interests of its students first, society and the students themselves will greatly benefit.