"The education and training of children is among the most meritorious acts of humankind and draweth down the grace and favour of the All-Merciful, for education is the indispensable foundation of all human excellence and alloweth man to work his way to the heights of abiding glory. If a child be trained from his infancy, he will, through the loving care of the Holy Gardener, drink in the crystal waters of the spirit and of knowledge, like a young tree amid the rilling brooks. And certainly he will gather to himself the bright rays of the Sun of Truth, and through its light and heat will grow ever fresh and fair in the garden of life.Brilliant Stars, Thanks to You
Therefore must the mentor be a doctor as well: that is, he must, in instructing the child, remedy its faults; must give him learning, and at the same time rear him to have a spiritual nature. Let the teacher be a doctor to the character of the child, thus will he heal the spiritual ailments of the children of men.
If, in this momentous task, a mighty effort be exerted, the world of humanity will shine out with other adornings, and shed the fairest light. Then will this darksome place grow luminous, and this abode of earth turn into Heaven. The very demons will change to angels then, and wolves to shepherds of the flock, and the wild-dog pack to gazelles that pasture on the plains of oneness, and ravening beasts to peaceful herds; and birds of prey, with talons sharp as knives, to songsters warbling their sweet native notes."
-- “Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá”, Sec. 103, pp. 129–31
Gems are found in the soil
Thanks to you, they're polished and do glimmer
Water needs heat to boil
Thanks to you, their minds surely do simmer
Plants often grow in the spring time
Yours have tall stems and deep roots
Blossoms in all different colors
Yours have gleaming esteems and lofty pursuits
Birds were given wings so that they could fly
Thanks to you, they take flight
Stars were placed in the nights sky
Thanks to you, they shine bright
“The primary, the most urgent requirement is the promotion of education. It is inconceivable that any nation should achieve prosperity and success unless this paramount, this fundamental concern is carried forward. The principal reason for the decline and fall of peoples is ignorance. Today the mass of the people are uninformed even as to ordinary affairs, how much less do they grasp the core of the important problems and complex needs of the time.”
— ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
— ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
I think that teachers should be recognized for their amazing abilities. But so many times, one overlooks the importance that the first teachers in a child's life is that of their parents. Well adjusted children are a product of loving, caring parenting of their primary caregivers. To be honest, I think we either give to much credit to teachers or we don't give enough credit. Teachers have a tough job but I think that there needs to be a examination of the word ignorance. When one third of all seniors in high school drop out before they graduate, when there are seniors in high school that can not do simple reading and math, we have a huge problem within the public school system. In public schools, unions run the district and bad teachers can't be fired due to the unions. Maybe that is why so many charter/private schools are flourishing in academic areas as well as social areas. I know that is the main reason why my kids go to a private school. Teachers should be commended however the public school system needs an overhaul.
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