Education

Getting Educated about Education

Pre-school, elementary school, junior high school, high school, college, university, adult education, distance education, home schooling, graduate school, post graduate school, public, private and religious schools – education covers such immense ground.

Diplomas, GED's, certificates as well as other recognition's for completing classes are the proof that one has put themselves on the line for whatever amount of time it takes to complete the required learning. They stuck with it, attended class, learned the required material and they received this recognition to display proudly above their desks.

The history of education is an immense subject. Kindergarten started in the 1800's in Germany by educator Freidrich Froebel. Mr. Froebel believed children between 4 and 6 needed an atmosphere conducive to pre-learning that included teachers, who were sensitive, open and approachable, in other words, people children could imitate.

As a matter of fact, kindergarten means 'child garden' in German. Interestingly enough, kindergartens were canceled and removed by the German government. It wasn't until many Germans started migrating to the US that they were picked up again and developed to the point that we currently view them. Mr. Froebel was also the first to fight for the education of women. He felt like the inherit intelligence of women was being wasted by not educating them.

Kindergartens weren't the first schools, however. We generally consider the first schools to be like those on Little House on the Prairie. Probably the first schools in the 'New World' were like those one room school houses we remember from our childhood tours through living museums or old TV programs but education was already well developed before the first settlers came to the new America.

Universities especially were very well developed and recognized. Universities in Europe around 1100 split into specialties: Bologna - law studies, Paris - Theology and Salero - medical studies. At this time, schools were still governed by churches so Theology was a huge part of the studies. In the Medieval ages, educators became responsible for teaching and preserving educational materials. Thomas Aquinas brought together education with faith love and learning. He made education a softer, kinder institution.

Educators are special people. Many of them knew they wanted to be teachers or some other form of educator since childhood. They dedicate their lives to making sure that children and adults know what they need to know to move forward in their lives. They are people that we often take for granted but are truly the heroes of our lives. Many of us remember a special teacher from our school days who inspired us into a certain career or inspired us to attend college and make something of our lives.

Most of us are in the process of educating ourselves, all of our lives. Even after the basic stuff, we never seem to be completely done. As the world develops—so must we. Classes or more popularly called 'trainings' through work seem to never end. And then when we get to be of a senior age, we often pick up another kind of class. Something to entertain us in our old age. A way to learn new hobbies... it just never ends.