America's future will be determined by the home and the school.

Listen closely, O children of the earth, for the words of Jane Addams ring with the truth of the ages, a truth about the power of education, family, and the future of society. She said—"America's future will be determined by the home and the school. The child becomes largely what he is taught; hence we must watch what we teach, and how we live." In these words, Addams speaks not just to the heart of parenthood and education, but to the mighty responsibility that we bear as the shapers of the future. She reminds us that the foundation of any great nation lies not in its military or wealth, but in the minds of its children, in the lessons they learn, and in the example they see from those who guide them.

What is it that makes the home and the school so powerful in shaping the future? The home is the first school, the place where children first encounter the values, beliefs, and principles that will guide their lives. It is in the home that a child learns what is important—whether it is the value of honesty, the importance of hard work, or the deep understanding that compassion and kindness are what make a person truly great. The school, too, is a place where minds are nurtured, where knowledge is passed down through the generations, and where children are taught not only the facts of the world, but how to think, to question, and to dream.

**Consider, O children, the story of Socrates, the great philosopher who believed in the transformative power of education. Socrates understood that the future of any society depends not on its rulers or warriors, but on the minds of its people. He sought not to impart knowledge, but to teach others how to think critically, to question, and to discover truth for themselves. Through education, Socrates shaped not just the minds of his students, but the very foundation of Western philosophy. Socrates’ example teaches us that the lessons imparted to children are not just for their benefit, but for the benefit of society as a whole. What we teach children today will shape the world of tomorrow.

In a similar way, let us turn to the great educator Maria Montessori, whose method of teaching placed the child at the center of the learning process. Montessori believed that children should be encouraged to explore, to learn through experience, and to develop a sense of independence and responsibility. Her method was not about merely transferring knowledge, but about empowering children to take ownership of their education and to approach the world with curiosity and integrity. **Montessori’s work shows us that education is not just about filling minds with facts, but about shaping hearts and minds to become responsible, compassionate, and capable individuals.

Addams’ message also speaks to the powerful role of the parent as a teacher. The example set by parents in the home is the first lesson a child receives. Just as leaders influence the lives of their followers, so too do parents shape the future of their children. The values, behaviors, and attitudes parents exhibit will be mirrored in their children. If we wish to see a stronger, kinder, and more just society, we must begin by living those ideals in our own homes, for children learn not just from words, but from actions. The lesson here is that to teach well is to live well.

The lesson, O children, is this: we must take great care in what we teach, and how we live. The future of society is shaped by the home and the school, and it is in these places that the values of honor, integrity, responsibility, and love must be instilled. We are the architects of tomorrow—not only through the work we do, but through the way we shape the minds and hearts of the next generation. What we teach our children will be the foundation upon which they build their futures, and through them, the future of the world. If we seek a better world, we must begin by being the teachers of that better world in the present.

Thus, let us watch carefully what we teach, and let us live by the principles that we wish to see in the world. Let the lessons of integrity, love, and justice begin in the home and the school, for these are the places where the future is first born. Teach with compassion, lead by example, and be the beacon of hope and knowledge that the next generation will need to build a world of peace, understanding, and progress. In this, we will secure not just a better future, but a world in which every child has the power to shape the future they inherit.