What are schools for? What do they offer?

Of course, schools are establishments meant to educate youth. However, there are many subcategories under the heading "educate." The most obvious would be education in a particular content area, but students learn much more than content in schools. How do children learn to make connections between subjects, and how do they learn that they need to manage their time efficiently in order to finish assignments on time? Schools teach students core curriculum, but schools also teach children time management, responsibility, social skills, and a plethora of other useful life skills.

In my school experiences, I've learned much about interacting with others. This is not something I believe teachers intentionally focus on, but it is a tremendously important aspect of our school system. Teachers lead by example whether they like it or not, and when a teacher displays rude or unprofessional behavior, students will undoubtedly reflect that behavior. This is why teachers have such a vital role in children's lives. Educators truly are "keepers of the future" in this regard.

It is my personal belief that teachers need to really get to know each of their students. Once a teacher and student have made a more personal connection, the learning process accelerates. Students learn more from their school experience when teachers actually care about their students' interests and passions. I commend teachers who strive to know each of their students on this level because I know it isn't easy. However, the effort pays off when a teacher can see the progress that each student makes.