Education

What Emerson describes in paragraph 12 of his essay, Education, is strikingly similar to our education system today. Teachers do not teach students to meet their individual and unique needs but rather "do for the masses." And while teachers are not to blame for the this style of teaching, it wasn't their choice, they are forced to teach all of their students in the same way. Every person is different with needs unmatched by anyone else. Our education system today can make students feel as if their teacher is apathetic towards them. As Emerson said, education "cannot be done for the masses." One could argue that the education laws and standards encourage the art of lazy teaching. Teachers don't have to challenge their brighter students because they have to "reef their sails for the dull sailors." By really only having to work their duller students, they can take the easy way out. And the fact that this is encourage by No Child Left Behind act is truly sad.