Public Education
"It is in fact a part of the function of education to help us escape, not from our own time — for we are bound by that — but from the intellectual and emotional limitations of our time."
- T. S. Eliot
Recognition of the importance of public education, for both the individual and society, is as old as Western civilization. There is a lot of science behind teaching and even more intuition and intelligence behind its success and yet, more often than not, there is inadequate support for curricula and learning, and small thanks or remuneration for even the most excellent teachers.
Like others called to public service, those working in public education are there to make a difference in the lives of their students and because of their commitment there have been wonderful developments in public education over time. First of all, there is no age limit to accessing public education. Many return to public education institutions as adults beyond the age associated with specific educational levels. Curricula continue to expand to include more diverse groups of student as well as new areas of study that help to keep public education relevant and accessible.
In the age of electronic access to information, those interested in accessing public education has many more options including online line courses and e-publications. The exhibits in this gallery allow up to reflect on the accomplishments of public education and the stalwarts that made important contributions to public education in roles such as public policy development, supervision of public education institutions, as well as the unionization of teachers.
