Beth, Special Education Teacher, Mother of 3, MI
Beth is a mother of 3 children and a Special Education Teacher in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. She works tirelessly for her students and is committed to education. She was interviewed by her niece, Nicole.
“Personally, as a parent you just want them to be peaceful with their life and happy with it. That brings me peace.”
“Oh no. A lot of people see if differently. A lot of people see it as material things. Sometimes people see a good life as the top of a corporate ladder and a “go, go, go” mentality. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that’s not as important to me.”
Imagine your child (or one you care about deeply) is now in their 30s – out of school and starting into adult life. What do you hope for them about their life? What would make it a ‘good’ life?
More than anything, you want them to be productive to society, to be givers to things. Not just in making money but part of this world, which is changing, and to be a part of something that makes it better. Even if it's small things. Personally, as a parent you just want them to be peaceful with their life and happy with it. That brings me peace.
Do you think everyone agrees with you about what a good life is?
Oh no. A lot of people see if differently. A lot of people see it as material things. Sometimes people see a good life as the top of a corporate ladder and a "go, go, go" mentality. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that’s not as important to me.
What role do you think schooling should play in achieving that ideal good life?
I do hope that it doesn't just give them specific skills, but makes them more open to see things from different perspectives. I think when you go away to school it makes a big difference. I would hope education would help them to be more open to respecting to different perspectives and opinions. Eventually they might get out of school might be different from what they pursue later on. It's a whole experience. So many people change after they finish college, so it’s about a holistic experience, not just the set of skills.