It’s 8am, do you know what is going on around the world right now? Are you aware of the different people and places that make up this world? Do you know that not everyone in this world has access to proper schooling? Do you feel you had the best opportunity with your education? As an adult do you continue to find ways to educate yourself? Each of us may have different answers to these questions. But knowing there are many people who do have access to obtaining an education makes me GRATEFUL for my opportunity.
According to UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund), there are 600 million children in the world who are not proficient in basic reading and math. Many of these children attend school but due to various circumstances they are unable. It may be due to a lack of trained educators, reduced access to books, political warfare, and general poverty. One of the regions most affected by this is Sub-Saharan Africa. Many of the children only have about 4 years of proper schooling. Then there’s the issue of gender in places such as in Arabic Middle East countries. Many times girls are to work domestically, while the men gets an education.
I was educated in the New York City Public School System. The system often gets a bad rap, but I always say it depends on the teacher and school. In my early years, I had great teachers who nurtured my learning very well. I loved school and I enjoyed being in each of their classes. They never made me feel bad even in my early years where I struggled with my testing in English class. I remember getting in trouble for fighting over toys in Pre-K, but I still enjoyed all the other parts of being in school. Now, I can’t even imagine not having these early experiences. I don’t know what life would have been like if I never had a proper education. Yes, we can teach ourselves basics at home, but having a structured education under the leadership of someone who enjoys teaching is a beautiful experience.
When I was younger, I wanted to become a teacher because I enjoyed the ones I had. I did not go on to become a teacher, because I also had a love of healthcare, and I chose this. But as an Occupational Therapist who now works with children full-time, I get to teach them skills to help them access their learning in the classroom. Most of my students are children with disabilities, but it is important that they too have great access to education. Their education may look a little different, but it has a lasting impact on their lives.
Even with living in the U.S. we all don’t have the same access to a proper education. I was lucky to have gone on to receive higher education. It has helped me in this career I chose. My degree is something no one can take away. For that I am GRATEFUL. I know everyone didn’t have great teachers in the early years. Not everyone had a chance to receive a higher education. But the question I ask now is, how do you continue to nurture your mind? Do you read books or listen to audiobooks? Can you say you spend time having active conservations with others as a secondary way of learning? Learning is something that happens throughout our lifetime. The world we live in is not kind to all, but I believe by expanding one’s mind we can go in the direction of making it a better place.