Students would benefit from moral guidance

The word ''teacher,'' as defined in Webster's Dictionary, means "one who instructs or guides." In that regard, we are all teachers in some sense of the word. Numerous times in our lives, we are called on to share knowledge or guide someone through situations to achieve a desired result.

There is one among us who took teaching to a higher plane, though -- Jesus.

Jesus was unmistakably the ultimate teacher. As the Bible says in Matthew 2:6, "A ruler will come from you who will be like a shepherd for my people Israel."

Beginning in Galilee, Jesus taught about the kingdom of heaven in the synagogues (Matthew 4). He taught us how to live as an example to others, to not bear anger or hostility to our fellow man but live in peace (Matthew 5:16, 5:21). As children of God, we should give without pompous and self-righteous motives (Matthew 6:3).

Jesus taught us these lessons and others that are too numerous to mention. He taught us these lessons because the path to heaven is narrow while the way to hell is wide (Matthew 7:13).

Now, compare that with the teaching of today. Our goal is to achieve a certain score on a battery of tests, rather than to apply learned skills to real life.

The focus is on academia only and not character content. No longer are we concerned with creating a humanity built brick by brick with the characteristics of humility, honesty, mercy, peacefulness and fairness strengthened by academic rigor to succeed fully in a spiritual and fact-filled life. Oh, no -- just the score.

Does it matter that the score might not be accurate? Does it matter that we have a generation growing up with test-format teaching? Does it matter that they may have a head full of facts but no knowledge of how to apply them to the benefit of humanity?

Does it matter that, because of time constraints, teaching of compassion and honesty takes a back seat to academic standards? Does it matter that humanity has high-tailed it out of education for the almighty score?

Do we really think that St. Peter will be standing at the gates of heaven, holding his hands out and asking, "Now tell me, child of God, what's your score?" I don't think so. We will have a generation that will be smart but not so smart in those things that will matter in the end.

CHERYL POOLE IS AN AIKEN COUNTY MOTHER AND TEACHER.