To

Whom It May Concern:

My name is Benjamin Rogaczewski and I am currently an Alverno
student in the LTM (License to Masters) program. One of the
instrumental quotes that you may have seen at the outset of this
portfolio is Educating the mind without educating the heart is no
education at all. I feel that this quote, often attributed to the Greek
philosopher and educator Aristotle, aptly captures my philosophy of
education. In educating our youths, we may strive to give them facts or
evidence, and whether they retain this information or not varies
greatly. Yet without heart, or passionate drive, there is little education
at all. I believe that this works in both directions, from teacher and
student. For if the teacher lacks passion for their subject, they increase
the probability that bored students will ignore the lesson at hand. If,
however, both teacher and student share a passionate drive to teach
and learn a certain subject, there is an academic connection between
these two individuals in the classroom.

Considering my love of all things antiquarian, it should not
surprise that I would draw upon Aristotle for inspiration. Unfortunately,
we cannot travel back in time nor use a magical looking glass to peer
into Aristotles peripatetic classroom and see the master at work. And
yet it is fortunate that happenstance has surrounded me with ample
exemplars instead. Growing up, my mother, an elementary school
teacher at Highland View, was my primary model for education. When I
would volunteer at her school, I saw exactly what the above quote
commended. Her passion for the subject matter was appreciated by her
class and, what is more, she added a deep consideration and care for
the children to the equation. I was not the only son to notice either.
Such drive and consideration carried on with two of my brothers, both
educators at different schools. My most recent models, however, came
in the forms of my high school teachers and college professors. Both
instilled a love of education and fostered that love with knowledge and

hope that I too could give to students of my own.

I believe that Alverno has trained me well throughout my
endeavors and has provided me with ample pedagogical tools to aid me
within the classroom. These same tools have further instilled my love of
education. I firmly believe that we as educators have a tacit obligation
to provide all students with ample consideration and foster not only a
desire for knowledge, but also respect and appreciation for learning. I
also firmly believe that every student shares in this desire or want of
learning, and what matters most then is how to reach the students.
I hope you will look upon these words and strongly consider me for this
institution of knowledge.

Sincerely,
Benjamin Rogaczewski