The etymology of the word “education” comes from the Latin phrase “to lead out.” The implication is that teachers are those who lead students out of ignorance and into knowledge or enlightenment.

One plus one is two. The hardest substance in the human body is the enamel of our teeth. Our Declaration of Independence was signed by 56 delegates to the Second Continental Congress and only one of them, Charles Carroll, was Catholic. These are simple examples of mathematical, biological, and historical truths. Along with some other essentials they can also serve as fundamental content that teachers should concentrate on in their classrooms. As we move into the school months of September through December, we should remind ourselves that the purpose of school is education, not indoctrination.

Regardless of the assigned level—grammar, middle, high school, college, or graduate—the best instructors are those who concentrate on the meat and potatoes of their discipline, not on the whipped cream and sugary sprinkles being pushed by society’s flavor of the month.

Here is an evolving menu of the curricula that serious educators have determined are necessary for our children to digest. 

STEM

This acronym for science, technology, engineering and math—STEM—was introduced in 2001 by the administrators of the National Science Foundation.  They were concerned that Americans were failing to compete globally in these four important fields.  Their fears were verified by the 2006 international test scores which ranked our teenagers 21^st among the 30 participating countries.

STEAM

Not surprisingly, teachers who were fond of the humanities added an A to the acronym and created STEAM to ensure that the arts would be promoted along with the sciences. In fact, studies found that students scored better on standardized tests when they were more active in the arts. They also watched less TV, felt less bored in school, and participated in more hours of community service!

STREAM

By 2017 another letter was added to the acronym to create STREAM. This letter hearkens back to the R in reading and the R in wRiting. Tutors re-discovered that these skills are essential to critical thinking as well as creativity. Ironically, creativity is defined as divergent thinking. Both critical thinking and divergent thinking are complementary and necessary when we evaluate the impact that innovations in science and technology can have on people and on the planet.

STREAMING

At the risk of taxing ourselves a bit more, permit me to introduce three more letters to the acronym: I, N, and G. “I” is for industriousness or hard work. Studying requires discipline and stick-to-itiveness. These virtues form the foundation for all productive learning. “N” stands for negotiation. Our ability to compromise includes the skills needed for effective public speaking and debate. If our children are not taught to form arguments calmly and intelligently they may grow up believing that only might makes right. “G” stands for God and ushers the Creator to the front of the classroom. Faith, hope, and charity should begin at home but not be discontinued when classes begin. After all, without love of God and love of neighbor, how can any education lead us from darkness into light?

Holy Homework

During the month of September let’s add a piece of paper with the word STREAMING written on it and display this on our writing desk or tape it to the base of our computer screen or fasten it with a magnet to the fridge as a reminder to pray for what Catholic education should be all about.

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