As we enter the designated season of merriment, thoughts are forced to turn towards what we and others want. Most people lack insight into what gift recipients want, as anyone familiar with the Money Can’t Buy Love: Asymmetric Beliefs about Gift Price and Feelings of Appreciation passage from the current SAT #1 can attest. But teachers and tutors know full well that one of the greatest gifts of all is education.
What makes education such a splendid gift? First of all, education demands very little storage space, just enough for books and assorted learning accompaniments. That which is taught is eminently portable, which is a great relief for itinerant professors. Steve Martin might have explored the extent to which we can carry physical possessions in The Jerk, but we all travel relatively unencumbered (sometimes even uplifted) by all the lessons we’ve learned and remembered.
Secondly, education is the rare gift that can be regifted well. Disquisitions on deep thoughts from physics to philosophy are not the flotsam and jetsam of white elephant parties, but rather the tinder that ignites our most memorable conversations with friends and family, reminiscences of which become further gifts. Even better, giving knowledge to another does not decrease your own, but rather increases it dramatically.
Lastly, true education rarely depreciates in value. The old proverb about fishing (“If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. If you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.”) describes the potentially infinite interest that the right lesson accrues over time. No wonder investing in an infant’s 529 plan beats an envelope full of savings bonds!
All you teachers, tutors, trainers, and coaches have been giving the best possible gifts all year. Education is a gift that none can take away. It increases in value over time and compounds exponentially when shared. Plus, you don’t have to worry about where to store it.
My hope is that this season of giving brings each and every one of you even a fraction of the generosity you’ve shared in every season. You’ve earned it! Wishing you a most merry, happy, festive, and relaxing holiday.
— Mike Bergin
Tutor Tips, Tools, and Thoughts
The 43 Best Gifts for Teachers 2022
Just in case your many fans need gift ideas for you!
What Is Internal Validation And Why You Need It?
Internal validation is a gift we–and only we–give ourselves.
Take 10 Minutes to Defuse Holiday Stress with This Mindfulness Practice
Give yourself the grace of a low stress holiday
Can expressing gratitude improve your mental and physical health?
Gratitude, like most health regimens, should be practiced daily
The Gifted Child’s Gift Guide
When vocabulary cards aren’t enough 🙂
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