John Dewey was a highly influential American philosopher in the early 1900’s. He was deeply committed to the philosophy of pragmatism and became a leading proponent of progressive education and liberalism, the idea that there are no absolutes or constants. He sought a total reconstruction of democracy as we know it—one that more resembles socialism. It is Dewey’s vision of a trainable and compliant workforce we have seen fulfilled in our society today.
The original name of the educational methodology we promote here at Trinity is a liberal arts education. It was an
education reserved for the free members of society (liber means “free” in Latin). Practical education was originally for the slaves of the day; they did not need to know how to think, they only needed to know how to do what they were told. The distinction between these two types of education is no longer merely a subject for discussion. Education either increases or decreases options for our children. Will they be free to think and determine a future for themselves, or will they be “slaves” and told what to know and what their future will be?
Education is the preparing of a person for their future lives. Dewey’s vision is a narrow understanding of what it means to be human. His practical mindset takes over the educational process and reduces one’s future to the tasks performed. However, when we consider all that awaits our children in the future, mere practical knowledge is a
handicap. They need to know why and even how a skill came into being, or they will be at the mercy of anyone who does understand. As image bearers of the one true God, we are not merely workers. We are creators and imaginers. (Gal. 5:1, Gal. 4:31)
May God bless you as you train up a child in the way that he should go, and may God bless our efforts here at Trinity Christian School.
Jeanne Wilks
Secondary School Principal