Important People in Education

by Kelly Knowlden

William Bennett, former education secretary for the United States under Ronald Reagan, has said that “The single most important adult in a child’s life is the parent. The single most important thing about the education of a child needs to be the parent and the parent’s attitude toward education...” He amplifies that by mentioning that a parent can be illiterate and not be able to do any homework with the student, but still hold out to the kid that “this is important.” He can make the child understand the value of work by turning off the TV and stressing that the child must listen to the teacher.

The second most important person in the education of children is the teacher. Mr. Bennett’s comment is that “the research is clear: you are much better off is a bad school with a good teacher than a supposedly really good school with a bad teacher.” He goes on to say that it really is not about class size. That is an issue that is touted by teacher’s unions as a reason for failure, but in truth, is not statistically defensible.

At Immanuel Christian School, we suggest that the most important person in education is Jesus Christ. He is the One who wrote the “operator’s manual” of each endeavor of study. [Psalm 111:2: Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them.] He is the One who gives understanding of how things are made and work together. [Psalm 119:27 Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders.] He enlightens man’s heart in knowing how to live in a broken world. [Ecclesiastes 2:14 The wise man has eyes in his head, while the fool walks in the darkness;] He helps men understand their own brokenness and need for help. [Proverbs 14:16 A wise man fears the LORD and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless.]
The most significant person in education is Jesus Christ. You, as the most important person in your child’s life, need to be reading of Him and His wisdom everyday to your children. Otherwise, the foolishness of the world’s wisdom will win.