Look, I’ve Been Around the Block
I’ve been in education for 20+ years. That’s right, I’m old. I remember when chalkboards were a thing. And I remember when someone finally invented whiteboards, and we all thought, “Wow, we’re living in the future!”
But here’s the thing: we’re still teaching kids like it’s 1985. And it’s killing me. (Well, not literally. But it’s certainly killing my faith in the system.)
Let Me Tell You About Marcus
I had a student last year, let’s call him Marcus. Bright kid. Really bright. But he was bored out of his mind. Why? Because we were teaching him the same stuff, the same way, as we did back in the ’80s. And it’s not just Marcus. It’s a lot of kids.
I asked Marcus one day, “Hey, what do you think about school?” And he said, “It’s okay, I guess. But it’s not really… I dunno, it’s not really *mine*, you know?” Which… yeah. Fair enough.
And that’s when it hit me. We’re not giving kids anything that feels like *theirs*. It’s all about what we think they should know, not what they want to learn. And that’s a problem.
But Here’s the Kickler
I went to a conference in Austin last year. And I met this guy, Dave. He’s a tech guy. And he said something that stuck with me. He said, “You know, we’re preparing kids for jobs that don’t even exist yet. So why are we teaching them stuff that’s already outdated?”
And I was like, “Whoa. That’s… that’s actually a really good point.” I mean, honestly, when was the last time any of us used long division? Or memorized a poem? Or… or even used a typewriter! (Yes, I’m dating myself.)
But we’re still teaching these things. And it’s not because they’re useful. It’s because that’s what we’ve always done. And that’s what’s wrong with the system.
And Don’t Even Get Me Started on Tech
I’m not saying we should throw out all the books and replace them with iPads. But come on, people. We live in the 21st century. It’s time to embrace it.
I had a colleague named Sarah. She’s a history teacher. And she was telling me about this project she did with her kids. They were studying World War II, and she had them create podcasts. And the kids loved it. They were engaged, they were learning, they were having fun. And they were using tech in a way that made sense.
And that’s what we should be doing. We should be using tech to enhance learning, not replace it. But we’re not. Because… well, because change is hard. And because some people still think that teaching kids to use a typewriter is a good idea.
But It’s Not All Doom and Gloom
There are some people out there trying to make a difference. And I’m not just talking about the usual suspects. I’m talking about regular teachers, in regular schools, doing regular things. But doing them differently.
Like my friend Lisa. She’s a science teacher. And she’s been teaching her kids about climate change. But she’s not just lecturing them. She’s having them conduct experiments, she’s having them collect data, she’s having them analyze results. And she’s having them share their findings with other kids, in other schools, using best electronics deals online 2026 to get the tech they need. (Yes, I know. It’s a mouthful. But it works.)
And the kids are loving it. They’re engaged, they’re learning, they’re having fun. And they’re using tech in a way that makes sense. And that’s what we should be doing. All of us.
But We’re Not
And that’s the problem. We’re not doing enough. We’re not changing enough. We’re not embracing the future enough. And it’s killing me. (Again, not literally. But it’s certainly killing my faith in the system.)
But I’m not giving up. And neither should you. Because the kids deserve better. They deserve a system that’s relevant, that’s engaging, that’s *theirs*. And it’s up to us to give it to them.
So let’s do it. Let’s change the system. Let’s embrace the future. Let’s give kids what they deserve. Because they’re the ones who are gonna have to live in it. And frankly, they deserve better than a typewriter.
I’m gonna go now. I’m tired. And I’m frustrated. But I’m not giving up. And neither should you.
About the Author
Sarah Johnson has been a senior editor for various publications for over 20 years. She’s a firm believer in the power of education to change lives and is always looking for ways to make learning more engaging and relevant. When she’s not editing, she can be found hiking, reading, or trying to convince her cat that she’s the boss of the house.
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