by: Angela Maiers

Education is for the Passionate – Isn't it?

"Education is not filling a bucket but lighting a fire." – William Butler Yeats

In Education is for the Passionate, I wrote of the power passion has to not only light that fire, but keep the flame burning high for as long as it exits. Recently I read the chilling words of Carl Jung which, as a parent and educator, give me great cause for reflection. Jung said, "Nothing has a stronger influence psychologically … on their children, than the unlived life of (adults)."

We are impacted by those who we spend time with. I am energized and motivated most when I am surrounded by passionate people. Even a single hour spent with those who live life as observers rather than participants, going through the motions without purpose and passion drain me physically, mentally, and emotionally.

As an adult, I am fortunate that I get to chose who I spend my time with, choosing wisely to surround my self with those who are "alive and awake". Our students are not afforded this same luxury.

Privleged are students who get to spend their time with teachers full of life; living and learning wide awake and passionate about their work and the profession they chose. As teachers, how we feel significantly influences how we perform, if and when we participate, and our commitment to the process.

There is nothing more heartbreaking to walk into " unlived" classrooms. Knowing after I leave, behind me are students who will be tremendously affected by the lacking of passion in their everyday teacher. .As parents and educators we must remember to live! To be passionate! To embrace our potential and empower the potential of our kids! To make our schools temples to human potential and oases in the midst of despair and lack of hope.
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All curriculum should help learners to make and keep learning and life passionate  – for themselves and others. What does it matter that we teach young people to read, write and do mathematics only for them to sit in our classrooms to go lifelessly, going through the motions. And then repeat such rote beyond their school lives?

The guiding intent for all teaching and learning should be "passionization" – educating people to become fully alive and empowered as learners and human beings. Loving that new word!