Personal Statement

Matthew Eric Kreitzer

Philosophy regarding education:

Engaging the mind, body, and soul in valued information, and continuing to do so in a selfchallenging manner until death. Favorite education quotes. . .

We do not learn from experience . . . we learn from reflecting on

experience.
(John Dewey).

Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.

(William Butler Yeats {concept attributed to Plutarch}).

We learn an art or craft by doing the things that we shall have to do

when we have learnt it.
(often quoted as What we have to learn to do, we learn by doing
Aristotle. Nicomachean Ethics bk. 2, 1103a 30)

The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.

(Aristotle. Diogenes Laertius Lives of Philosophers bk. 5, sect. 18)

There are three key objectives for every student of any age; that they graduate
being an effective communicator, a critical thinker, and a productive citizen.
Values:
I value learning as I value breath, drink, sustenance, family, community, and beauty.

Worldview:
My worldview is shaped and maintained by my religious faith, supported by reason, study,
and metaphysical reassuring.

Future Goals:
I want to continue learning, teaching, creating, and loving all of it until I am no more. I also
want to return to Italy and other European nations to study and learn all I can from the cultures
and landscapes I experience there.
I have several projects I would like to see to completion; an Ottogary biography, a screenplay
on the five generations of the Ottogary family (similar to Alex Haleys Roots), a book on my
high school teaching career (31 Years in American Public Education working title).