Life's Like That

A New School Year

by Jerry Bullock

It is that time again. From 6 am to 9 am and again in the afternoon it seems the world is full of giant yellow vehicles with flashing yellow and red lights and filled with children. They leave the bus compound early and woe unto anyone who should pass one of these leviathans when it is signaling ‘stop’ with its many indicators. Friend, as the saying goes, “Pass on red, you are dead.” The end of the summer vacation came too quickly this year. Since I have only grandchildren who are really affected by it, I guess it should not bother me at all. It does, only because it is a sure indicator that time is swiftly passing us by.

My message each year as school begins is to the teachers and students. I urge you, from K through grad school, to be real honest-to-goodness students. Take these learning years seriously. You can and should. Keep learning all your life but you will never again have the chance to immerse yourself in learning. What you study is not just for a day or for a grade; it is preparation for a lifetime.

Every subject is important if it points to a better life. You may say of algebra, “I’ll never use this stuff.” But you will in so many ways and never recognize as algebra. You may say history is not important, just a bunch of old dates. Well, if that is the way you have been taught I would have to agree with you, but history is so much more than that. History is the story of people and what they did to change their world … some for good and others for evil, but without that knowledge we will almost surely repeat the mistakes of the past. Listen, stay awake, and take notes. Remember that the kernel of wisdom you miss may be the answer to the million-dollar question on Who Wants to be a Millionaire.

A note to the teacher: you hold the future in your hands. Albert Einstein said, “It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.” I know that most of you teach for the love of teaching. You certainly don’t get paid enough to motivate you to put up with so much that hinders your ability to teach. I am convinced that in every child there is a gas jet ready to be lit. You are the match. Make your subject exciting. Give life to history and meaning to mathematics. If you do not love the subject you are teaching, you are cheating the students under your hand.

I once heard an illustration of teaching that suggested the teacher throws out a bucket full of grasshoppers and it is the student’s responsibility to catch as many as he or she can. I would challenge that thesis. Nobody wants to catch grasshoppers except a fisherman. Let’s throw out stars instead and have your students reaching for them. Challenge their imagination … light their fires. Have a wonderful school year.