Education Empowers by Hannah

Education Empowers by Hannah - April 2015 Scholarship Essay

“Why do I have to learn about the speed of light?” “When am I ever going to use the Pythagorean theorem in my day-to-day life?” These are some of the questions that students in schools all over America are asking. They wonder why they are being “forced” to obtain knowledge and skills that seem utterly useless. No, a student may not ever need to understand all the mathematics behind derivatives in calculus, or be able to identify every species of maple tree in North America, but students in this generation do need to understand that education is important. Education is power.

The ability to attend a school and be taught by those more knowledgeable than oneself is a great privilege, one that is often taken for granted. But education does not begin and end in a building full of classrooms: education is a way of life, and according to John Dewey, “education is life itself.” Every day humans interact with one another and with the world around them, and in every moment they learn, whether consciously or not, the different qualities and secrets of people, the world, and life itself. True scholars and leaders, people who are motivated to succeed, are intentional in their education. Rather than simply letting life teach them lessons, they reach out and use their genius to learn more, whether through reading, traveling, or trying new activities. Education truly is the way of life and the only path to true success.

Another facet of education is learning in a classroom. The genuine purpose of education in schools is to instill good habits, discipline, and a love for learning within the hearts of students. The tough curriculums, the seemingly endless amounts of homework, the difficult quizzes and tests all serve to plant seeds of self-discipline and hard work. Motivation and self-control, if cultivated and encouraged, will be the driving forces behind a student’s success in life, eventually leading to a worldwide impact. Education in schools must also serve to arouse a desire for lifelong learning. Teachers and school administrators are among the most powerful men and women in America because they are the ones trusted with the education of the next generation. They have a difficult job, but one that is highly rewarding. If a teacher can inspire a love for learning in a student’s heart, they have created a world-changer.

No one who quits being a student can ever possibly change the world around him or her. The great Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Education in schools is a privilege, one that empowers young students to win in life and create change. When one embraces education, they become unstoppable.