At the core of education rests a commitment to dispel ignorance. Without this commitment, education does not exist.
Various forms have emerged over time to implement this commitment. I prefer the classic liberal interpretation that ignorance limits choices a person can exercise. Thus, dispel ignorance with facts.
In that light, I renew my new year resolution to dispel ignorance as a touchpoint for teaching.
That’s in the same light, for example, that scholars “Search for truth,” airline dispatchers commit to “Safety first,” surviving fighter pilots to “Failure is not an option,” physicians to the Hypocratic Oath, and Boy Scouts to “Be prepared.”
So, Happy 2009, and may teachers join with others to make ignorance less available at the end of the year than it is now.