Heinlein once wrote, “A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.”

I am watching my students grapple with the standards for their individual districts and seeing that the teachable moments seem to slip by more frequently in their classes. Who could not stop a science class to discuss the energy of an 8.8 earthquake?

Perhaps more troubling is the trend to get kids in 7th grade select a career focus that will dictate their 5 year high school plan. What happened to nurturing interest and exploring diverse fields to find one that captures our attention. Our rich history of innovation is built on the shoulders of folks who were engaged with rich literature, writing, science, dance, art, music, and math. When we begin to define education by the mimimums we are on shaky ground.

Share this post:
Author

Shannoncdebaca

Shannon C’de Baca is a 40 + year teaching veteran (K–12 science). Her teaching has been recognized with honors from the Milken Family Foundation, National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), the Iowa Department of Education, Sertoma, and PBS. She hosted the Annenberg television series, “The Missing Link in Mathematics,” worked with the PBS series NOVA, and served as a consultant for the National Center on Education and the Economy, the Council of Chief State School Officers, the National Education Association, the NSTA, the U.S. Mint, and the U.S. Department of State. Shannon served as one of two citizen ambassadors to Bahrain and continues to mentor teachers in the Middle East. She has worked as a designer and a facilitator for the Iowa statewide “Every Learner Inquires”. Shannon continues to pursue her passion for equitable access to exceptional online courses for all students through work with CTQ, co-authoring the book TEACHING 2030: What We Must Do for Our Students and Our Public Schools… Now and in the Future. Shannon serves as the CEO for Shannon Corporation and RT Corporation.

Related Posts