Caught on Fire

Recently, I was interviewed by a higher education publication about our plans for and the purpose of Headcrack, our website offering free online courses.  Our purpose, although less formidable, is no different than the mission of our three colleges…to provide students with the knowledge required for successful employment.  Workforce development.  But going a little deeper; education is about inspiring a change of significance.

Why would someone not want to go to school?  For me, and many others, self-esteem is the answer.  Low self-esteem is a barrier to people taking advantage of learning opportunities and in secondary education: poor educational attainment and non-participation.

For many people, accessing learning will need to be a gradual process which allows time for confidence to build.  Confidence gives us the ability to cope with the basic challenges of life.

We all have the capacity to know more.  Yes, at first, gaining more education was about paying the rent without government assistance. But as William Butler Yeats said, “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.”  Light a fire and then help others see the possibilities.