There have been some questions swirling around in our school district this year that have elicited some very strong feelings and opinions on my part. As I have been trying to get and then maintain a quiet heart and mind and seek a balanced perspective, I have been contemplating what the actual purpose of education is.

At first glance or thought it seems rather easy to identify this purpose, it’s to educate right? But, then ALL of the questions come into play about what educating means? Educating is just adding knowledge, right? But, if we’re to educate the WHOLE child then doesn’t it include feelings, self-esteem and mental well being? Once all of these layers and myriad of focuses come to mind then everything can get very murky, very quickly! So, I had to try to clear all of this out and I gained traction when I considered one of the my few solid take aways from my Educational Education!!

Education as a profession is known to jump from theory or bandwagon or school of thought to the opposite and back again, the whole pendulum analogy! In the midst of all of this it can be hard to gain any real bearings as an educator, and that is compounded when you also become a parent. However, especially once you become a parent, bearing must be sought, found, and clung to based on faith and the responsibility to God and the children He’s entrusted you with. So, my bearings and compass currently come from the idea of “begin with the end in mind”. This idea, that I first learned about in conjunction with lesson planning and assessment creation, is one that seems to stand through every tide and theory and cultural shift. I think the reason it stands up so well is because it lines up with Biblical thinking and teaching. We are commanded as Christians to test everything against God’s word, which will stand unchanged throughout all time. We are to measure everything we do and think and say against the example of Christ, our eternal high priest. We are to lay up treasures in heaven, our everlasting home. We are always to look to the end to decide what we need to do, think, learn or focus on now.

So, what does it mean that the reason for education is defined by “begin with the end in mind”? To me it means that we should always look at the end of what and where the children we are educating need and are going. They need to be able to be solid, contributing members of society and they are going out into the “real” world. So, the purpose of education is to equip them with whatever knowledge, information and life skills they need to be an exceptional employee as well as a thoughtful and active citizen locally and nationally.

So, anytime we are evaluating a new curriculum, initiative, school of thought, whole child view or discipline change, we must ask ourselves whether or not this will better equip our children for success in life. And if there is even a chance that it might weaken instead of strengthen them, simplify rather than educate them, we MUST step back and reevaluate. Our children are already strong and powerful! They are resilient and forgiving! We do them a disservice if we water down any information or shield from any situation that would actually teach them more, raise the bar or strengthen their ability to do hard things. We are not called to coddle our children, but to help them grow. Growth is hard, but it is also necessary and rewarding!