Comparing Emerson's Views On 'Genius And Drill'

During the nineteenth century, American schools have caused a raise of differences towards the method of educating students. In his essay, “Education”, an influential American thinker and writer, Ralph Waldo Emerson recommends the parents to take in consideration for their children’s lives by creating a better teaching in which the students can learn/imply the basic fundamentals on their strive for success by doing it on their own. Emerson emphasizes his claim by encouraging a teaching method that children use their “naturel” by utilizing paradox, metaphors and analogy.

Some would argue that the difference between an accomplished and unaccomplished person is confidence. Ralph Waldo Emerson certainly upholds this belief throughout his discourse entitled “Self-Reliance,” with the characterization of a man who holds on tight to what he believes in as being the best kind of man. Emerson argues that original and unique thought is necessary for true education and that conformance and perpetuation are the great hindrances to mankind. By putting the very things that he is advocating on display, Emerson’s contention is well-argued to the audience with his use of inclusive language, allusion, and individualized rhetoric. It is this use of confidence by Emerson, that allows his argument to be well-received and seem

“The teacher is of course an artist, but being an artist does not mean that he or she can make the profile, can shape the students. What the educator does in teaching is to make it possible for the students to become themselves.” ― Paulo Freire

As a student of education, I have been able to gather many ideas and opinions about practices and ideals I want to implement in my future classroom. My philosophies about education are still being formed and continually change with every class I visit and with every educator I encounter. My ideas, admittedly, come from random experiences and intangible texts, but as I gain more experience in the field through my courses, my philosophies about teaching will become more clearly defined. These few ideas I have now will undoubtedly be added upon as I enter student teaching and my professional career, nevertheless, they are concepts of which I hope to never lose sight.

In this essay, Ralph Waldo Emerson describes his view of an ideal education. What are its defining characteristics?

Another reason Emerson’s form of education should be adopted by our school is because students will enjoy learning more. If children were given the opportunity to learn about what they thought to be interesting or important, they would be willing to put more effort and passion into whatever they are studying. Emerson writes on

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "People seem not to see that their opinion of the world is also a confession of their character." This quote is a belief that your beliefs show innermost self. Emerson believes that your thoughts and ideas of the world reflect your true self. I agree that your mental outlook of the world is a representation of your real character. Regardless of whether or not you expressed those thoughts and ideas out loud, they still show your true colors. Opinions are just another way of showing the world who you really are. Your attitude on the certain topics and people, marks your stance on the world and show your true beliefs.

Not only did Emerson bring up great men, he also talked about the Bible and connected his ideas to God. In the first paragraph, Emerson speaks not only of Moses, but also the trumpets of the Last Judgement. In doing so, he describes how fear holds us back from being an individual, having individual thoughts. Somewhat contradicting to himself, in the second paragraph he says “God will not have his work manifest by cowards”, meaning that men need to be original and not live in fear of judgement for their individuality, despite God having been responsible for the trumpets of the Last

As a teacher, my philosophy of education focuses on the individual child and their educational needs. I would like my students to feel comfortable, develop their communication skills, and build positive character traits. Along with encouraging the children to grow in a positive way, I will treat children equally for grading along with providing them with the skills they need in order to achieve the most they can academically.

It is the duty of the educator to prepare students to live lives of quality and purpose. Intellectually, a life of quality involves being reasonable, adept, and thoughtful, and enables people to be good citizens of their community. Skills that will prepare students to live such a life include the ability to reason carefully, to think agilely, and to reflect deeply. These skills are attained best when students evaluate how others express their thinking and precisely what thinking is expressed. The students themselves attempt to express substantive ideas in clear and convincing ways. The teacher is foremost a model of that which is taught, which obligates the teacher to live that life of quality and purpose. As a model, the teacher is therefore able to act as a guide for others, serving occasionally as a source of knowledge but mostly as one who points the way for fellow explorers.

Education is a very important part of society. I feel that it should teach children how to function in a society, and learn the basics they will need to expand on for the rest of their life. I feel that it is used to teach moral, and ethical standards of living. The schools are used to help the children learn to function in life, and achieve the goals of their choosing. Education is important because without it I firmly believe that society would be a very savage institution. With the things that we teach in today’s schools we give the power to know the basics such as reading, writing, and math but we also give them the ability to function in a society. As a teacher I hope to set my student of fire. I want to see them come alive with a desire to want everything that is out there for them. I want to be able to make a difference in just one person’s life. If I can do this I would feel I have done what I am supposed to do. I want my students to know the world is theirs to take and do with it whatever they may choose.

The form of “Intellect” is comprised of just six lines—which suggests a call to action for the reader to listen to his wise words. The short form produces a riddle-like tone; it follows a strict rhyme scheme and a very strong rhythm. The lines are end rhymed—this, coupled with the length of the poem—produces an almost child-like simplicity. The morals hidden in “Intellect” aren’t simple per se, nevertheless we are reminded of the riddles of our primary school days; we remember the catchy rhythm and traditional morals we learned from these riddles. The rhythm and meter are also vital aspects of this poem’s structure: each line contains seven syllables and begins with a stressed syllable. This didactic rhythm jumps out of the page at the reader, causing us to pay attention. The stressed and unstressed syllable pattern produces a sing-song effect; the poem beckons us to listen to the wise counsel of Emerson with a child-like openness and implores the reader to find the moral that Emerson is trying to get across.

The first purpose of education is opening a child’s eyes to the world around them. I believe in order for a child to be fully immersed in education, the parents, and the teachers, must be fully dedicated to make a lasting impact on a child. The parents need to start teaching the child at a young age and help the child strengthen their abilities throughout the years. This is similar to what a teacher needs to do. However, teachers have the tough, and wonderful, job of filling a child up with new information as well as strengthening their current abilities. Incidentally, the home environment a child grows up in and the classroom environment are vitally important for a child’s education. For instance, if a parent does not take on the role of a teacher in the early ages, the child will be behind the

Being a teacher is not an easy task as many people could think. To be a teacher does not only imply to know the subject to be taught, it also includes being willing to constantly improve oneself integrally, as much as updating the resources and materials one uses in teaching. Reflecting and analyzing over and over again the best way to teach to learn and how to make students to extend what has been learned. The many hours spend in the classroom will never be enough to plan lessons, prepare materials, review pupils tasks and exams, as well, all the administrative requirements one has to cover for whatever institution we work. Besides all this a good teacher, a professional one, will have to find the time to keep preparing to improve

As a future teacher in today’s society and generation, I believe the educational system must accommodate the individual and the diverse needs of each child. Many factors should be thought about when forming a philosophy on education. Factors as far as the increase of single parent families and dual careers, the family structure is changing and this may play a significant part in our students. Furthermore, the issues such as teen pregnancy and drugs and much more, children are facing more complicated issues than they ever had before. A sound philosophy on education must be developed within the framework of social value systems. Our children are our future resources. All children can be guided to become well adjusted, functional and intelligent adults for their own benefit and the benefit for others in society. An educator should motivate and stimulate each child to perform to the best of their ability. Regardless of the various experiences, abilities and needs of the child. Therefore, all children must be well educated and given the opportunity