Education Quotes to Ponder

Dr. Wendy Ghiora – Posting #27 – September 5, 2009

There are numerous quotes about education, teaching and schools. Sometimes I read one and just shake my head, wondering, “What were they thinking?” However, to be fair, some quotes are well worth serious reflection. I have selected three that struck me as quite profound. I truly hope many of you will respond with your thoughts on one or more of these famous quotes about education.

"Genius without education is like silver in the mine."
Benjamin Franklin

Every year a teacher is presented with a brand new “silver or gold mine.” You see, a treasure lies within each and every student. Sometimes that treasure has barely been tapped, while other times it has successfully remained completely hidden. We as teachers are the catalysts necessary to activate the drill that will uncover the obscured silver and gold, enabling the student to dig it out and make it shine.

Teachers, please don’t ever make the assumption you just got a bunch of dull students. What you actually have are the future Mozarts, Carnegies and Einsteins. You have been charged with the stewardship of many diamonds in the rough. So delve deeply, care enough to find that hidden treasure. Get out your dynamite guiding skills and polish those young eager minds into a blinding glow.


“It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.” Aristotle

This is the epitome of what every teacher dreams of-- a student able to discern for himself the truth or the logic of an idea presented. Inspecting information with a critical eye is taught every day by the example of great teachers everywhere. With this tool alone, the student can be assured of making intelligent life decisions and making positive contributions as a productive citizen and leader.

Smart teachers know the importance of allowing students to disagree and to prove for themselves what makes sense and what is true. It is possible this may even mean a student discovering something they were taught at home, isn’t really the truth; such as bigotry, for example. Teachers, stand back; for once you have empowered students to see the light of reason, logic and truth, these guideposts will prevail.

“The task of the educator lies in seeing that the child does not confound good with immobility and evil with activity.” Maria Montessori

Not so long ago, in a galaxy right in your neighborhood, most school principals used the rule of thumb that the best classrooms were those where quietness reined and the patter of children’s feet were never heard. Classes of immobile, zombie-like children, repeating in rote fashion what they heard (nothing more, nothing less), were held up as exemplary to the rest of the teachers. Fortunately, Maria Montessori and other visionaries knew inactivity and immobility were not the hallmarks of a great learning environment for children.

Montessori developed a hands-on approach to learning. It encourages children to develop their observation skills by doing many types of activities. These activities include use of the five senses, kinetic movement, spatial refinement, small and gross motor skill coordination, and concrete knowledge that leads to later abstraction. Needless to say, it involves movement and (do I dare say the word?) noise. She also created the program enabling children to learn through discovery, and learn to correct their own mistakes instead of relying on a teacher to give them the correct answer. What a concept, right?

Current research tells us learning involves: wondering, dreaming, playing, interacting, communicating, exploring, discovering, questioning, investigating, creating, and risk-taking. I don’t know about you, but perhaps only in another galaxy could these factors be implemented in a quiet, sterile, motionless room. Great teachers know this, and already include the above elements routinely in their teaching repertoire. Make every effort to include them in yours. You’ll be glad you did! Children can and should experience joy when they learn and are able to move, to touch and to vocally express their exhilaration with the new knowledge and skills they have acquired.

Are these quotes really valid? What do you think? I look forward to your thoughts on these quotes and ideas.

Watch for next Saturday’s posting.