SOMA Living November 2022

EDUCATION

EDUCATION V. LEARNING

Education (n.): The process of giving systematic instruction, especially in a school or university. Learning (n.) The acquisition of knowledge or skills through experience, study or being taught. These two words are synonymous, but don’t hold the same meaning. As an educator it may sound strange, but I greatly value learning over education. Education, for me is a very loaded word. Education is full of privilege, exclusion, power dynamics, and all of the “isms.” In many ways education is external to the student; it is something imparted, it is “I : thou” and often it is something to be “gamed” by the student in order to get through the system. There is a lot of “value” in education, but can be problematic to those who have less, lower quality or restricted access to it. Learning on the other hand is internal, can be driven or directed from the inside, is student centered and is hopefully useful, usable and has utility for the student/ learner and the community who benefits from what they have learned/know. Learning is central to our (Best in Class Education Center’s) education philosophy—emphasizing true understanding of and a demonstration of mastery over subject matter. When children learn they can use what they have learned, they can call up and apply what they know, even if they learned it a while ago. Students internalize—through experience (practice), study and/or being taught—the subject matter and it is theirs forever. As a friend’s mom said to me once years ago, “The things you have truly learned can never be taken away from you.” Having learned something gives unshakable confidence. There is immeasurable value in that. Although there is a lot of social pressure to make sure our kids are “educated” (go to the right schools, get the right grades and test scores, etc.) make sure your child is learning while getting all that education. It will last them a lifetime.

Alissa Gardenhire, Ph.D., Owner of Best in Class Education Center, South Orange.

NOVEMBER 2022 | SOMA LIVING 19

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