The Least We Owe
Nothing engenders more potential resentment in young people than the fact that they must undergo some form of compulsory education. I’m talking school. And it’s not school on its face that stands as the potential source of a young person’s pique, but rather it’s the utter lack of control and autonomy regarding nearly every aspect of school reality that fuels their ire.
From the minute-by-minute scheduled activities to attending school in the first place, many of the decisions governing the major structural aspects of the academic experience have been previously decided for students by adults. There is hardly any volition on the part of young students in determining their presence at school, and, as teachers and as educators, we must remain aware of this fact. That in our humble possession are lives literally handed to us for our full control.
To the extent that we are entrusted with this degree of authority, the principle of beneficence dictates our duty, demanding that we always serve in net benefit to the students. Therefore, the pressure is on to deliver an experience that very well benefits students by adding quality to their lives.
A quality experience. It’s the least we owe.
