The Education Roundtable Analysis

The Education Roundtable The great Greek philosopher Aristotle once proclaimed that “The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.” This is better said as knowledge is power. Although, the not this the use of knowledge, not school. Authors and teachers likewise, Ralph Waldo Emerson and John Taylor Gatto, may have different views on the student, the school system, however they share similar if not the same view on teachers. In a school, the student body is unarguably the most important factor to make the system function. Moreover, the teacher's job is to light the way for the young candles.. Gatto brings up his first point by saying “They said teachers clearly weren’t interested in learning more...and the kids were right: their
Typically, adolescents have that teen spirit that “I am right, and you are wrong”. Though not all are like that, or show it physically for that matter. Gatto believes students are “rude and only interested in grades” (683). Why does he say this, he has taught for 30 years and he has come to the conclusion that students go to all ends to have superb grades. Grades don’t show intellect, grades don’t show an interest in learning, and that’s why he believes the school system is flawed, it separates the high grades students from the eager to learn students and this is not good. Students should be getting good grades due to their yearn to learn. Emerson on the other hand wants to cooperate with students without judging them for their wrongdoings. Demonstrated in the text by “Respect the child,” (102) and “Let him follow it in good and in evil report, in good or bad company” (103). Basically what Emerson is saying is that the student’s mind is gentle and filled with ambitions. The job of the teacher according to Emerson is to allow the student to follow those ambitions with consequence. We must remember that consequence is the good and the bad, it is a learning process regardless, so respect the child. Why is this so important? A student will learn if they are
Emerson, a clear chauvinist, sees a school system being ideal when males run the classroom. “The will, the male power, organizes, imposes its own thought and wish on others, and makes that military eye which controls boys as it controls men; admirable in its results” (107). The will is addressing the schools, the boys being the students and the men being school staff. Throughout the essay, Emerson mentions boys and men but leaves out women for a wide-majority. Even saying that men are made to run the classroom and mentions “public and private discipline” (102). Private discipline being a woman’s job in the household, tending to the children and kitchen, public discipline being the polar opposite for men. Gatto does not believe the same, in fact he includes women by using the words: kids and students frequently, however he feels the school system is ideal without a school system. Yes, Gatto believes the forced schoolings are unnecessary. “Is this deadly routine really necessary?” (684). Let’s look at some demographics, of our the United States today, a prime example of forced schoolings. In 2014 United States was ranked 14th out of 40 countries for cognitive skill, the ability comprehend in education. Then it was ranked 20th out of 40 countries for educational achievements. How is that the land of opportunities is so behind in having inspired students. It is because students are finding aspirations