RE: Grounding Tenet for Learning

Reading the remarks on this topic, it is easy to realize how complex and inclusive it is.  I do hope we all remember that we are in the information age and, therefore, we can no longer hope to pour knowledge and information into the heads of our students. Students must construct their own knowledge from their experiences.  In our American public school what we can do is, as other have said, to provide a safe environment where students learn "how to learn" and learn the skills of communication and cooperation, respect, and a love for lifelong learning.  
Yes, we need highly educated teachers to teach the content of various subjects.  It makes me very sad to think that there are still many who believe that anyone can teach and that it is O.K. to place persons in a classroom with no credentials.  Teaching is a highly skilled profession and must be recognized and honored as such.  I am not sayig that since we do not have enough highly skilled teachers, education should only be for a few.  No, the American public school is for everyone as our forefathers said.  Everyone must be welcome in our public schools where we teach cooperation, respect, communication skills, and "how to learn."