Education Is Not a Commodity

knowledge

One of my mentors once said, “Education is not a commodity; it’s a privilege.” This week, I was able to use those words with a student who argued that he had paid good money for the class and that his money paid for my salary so it should not matter if he attends classes or uses a cell phone during classes (both addressed in my syllabus). I tried to make him see that a grade is not connected to money and that participation and engagement in classes is part of the learning process. His reaction got me ruminating on our culture and how we seem to think we are owed what we want, when and how we want it, regardless of how our desires affect others and regardless of whether they are logical, good, or sane. I’d love to hear what others think. Am I being too pedantic, or is this a microcosmic sample of our society and one of its flaws?

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June has taught English, literature, journalism, and speech for several colleges and universities for over sixteen years, interspersed with fifteen years of home schooling her four children. She also taught English as a second language in Japan and China. June received a BA in English with a journalism minor from Colorado State University and an MA in English with a minor in Speech from Western State in Gunnison, Colorado. She enjoys reading, writing, hiking, and traveling. She is currently working on three novels.