When will i ever use (fill in the blank)

Why do I have to learn this? When will I ever use ___________? Raise your hand if you have either A) said this yourself or B) heard someone say it or C both.

Now as a teacher and mom, I won't say I regret saying it, but I have come to understand why we have to learn and do seemingly random things in our general education experience. John Dewey said, "Education is not preparation for life, but life itself". I wonder if it's not a little of both. I do believe what he said and that education is happening around us all the time, not just in the school building. I also believe that sometimes we don't truly see the value of what we've learned, until we realize that it did help to prepare us for life.

I remember exactly when I asked this question as a student - it was during a traumatizing episode of Algebra homework and then again in Pre-Calculus as I struggled to survive. However now having come out of it and being on the other side as an academic coach and parent, I both understand and value those dreaded learning experiences. Algebra for example, is used on a daily basis, probably more than we may realize. It is the foundation of critical thinking and problem solving skills. We use algebra when shopping, dosing medication, cooking, budgeting, and even helping a child as young as first grade with homework. We learn to organize our thinking, notice patterns and craft reasonable responses when faced with a complicated situation. This is just one illustration of how important education is - all of it - even the parts that a student hasn't learned to value yet.
​