Episode: 705

Episode Title: When Students’ Flame is Kindled

When we kindle the flame of learning for students, they don’t just accept the filling of the vessel with information—they want it. Here’s why, next on The Perna Syndicate.

Ep 705 show:

Hello and welcome to The Perna Syndicate today! All week we’ve been talking about a one-liner from the Greek philosopher Plutarch, who stated that “The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.” 

Unfortunately, that’s not how our current education system is operating. All too often, students are treated like passive recipients of learning, instead of active agents in their own education. 

I find it ironic that we focus so much on filling the vessel rather than kindling the flame for young people, because once their interest is piqued, teaching becomes easy. At that point they don’t just accept the filling of the vessel—they want it. 

Once they care about the subject and know the person teaching it has a human connection with them, it seems their vessels develop limitless capacity for learning. Isn’t that what we all want for our students? To love to learn, and to learn to their fullest potential?

Students whose flame has been kindled don’t have trouble getting to class on time. Somehow, they manage to get their homework done. No one has to babysit them or stand over them to make sure they’re doing the work. They take that responsibility upon themselves, because they see learning as relevant and interesting. It matters. 

Just remember: for Gen Z, we must kindle the flame before we ever try to fill their vessel. And once we do kindle that flame, filling the vessel will take care of itself.

That’s all for this week on The Perna Syndicate. Be sure to subscribe if you’re not already, and we’ll see you back here next time for more quick-hit insights and inspiration. I’m Mark Perna—thanks for tuning in!