A Letter to Santa

This is a phrase we use in Mexico to describe an ideal state of things or a series of ideal characteristic that someone/something should have; it originates from those annoyingly long wish lists that kids send to Santa demanding what they think they have earned through the year. As you grow old, you know better than that and you stop writing such letters. But just as a literary exercise, and if I were to describe what education should be like -at least in my understanding - I would think of the following metaphor:

Education should be like a banquet, an open one. Someone (an expert) has prepared the most exquisite menu for you, and you are cordially invited to join in. It should be the most democratic experience because who doesn't eat? who doesn't need food for thought? (of course there seems to be unusual cases of gluttony, fasting and anorexia as well, metaphorically speaking). Preparing your menu should take time and expertise. You can make it look easy, but everyone knows that there's much planning and thought in terms of its impact. Every time you serve a good menu you work towards the achievement of The Greater Good.

Because of that, serving such menu should be regarded as the noblest occupation in the world, not only because you are catering for everyone, also because you have the opportunity to affect other people's lives: you can make it the most pleasant experience or you can make people sick or poison their souls.

What have I done to be consistent with my beliefs? I work with students who come from both private and a public schools in Mexico and I treat them with the same respect and attention regardless of their origins, appearance, gender or intellectual level.

Why do I work as a teacher, regardless of the pay, the red tape and the extra hours it demands? I have worked for both UNAM and UP from the very moment I was certified to teach, 15 years ago because I believe that Public Education should be of the highest standards and be available to everyone.