Most Influential People in Education

17th Century

• Robert Hooke: Famous scientist researching new fields, known for Hook's law of elasticity.
• Isaac Newton: created law of gravity and conceived theory of light and color.
• John Locke: Encouraged self education to make a stronger society.

18th Century

• Robert Burns: Poet who lived scandalous life but inspired Romantic poetry.
• Jean Jacques Rousseau: focused on helping students learn, not having teachers getting through lessons.
• Johann Pestalozzi: education was foundation for life, and played significant role in putting PE in the classroom.

19th Century

• Anne Sullivan: Through tremendous hardship taught Helen Keller how to communicate.
• Myatilla Miner: Created a school to teach black slaves while it was illegal.
• Horace Mann: Created tax-free education, available to all.

20th Century

• Joseph Brodsky: Russian poet who continued writing despite persecution.
• Cornel West: Professor at Princeton and Harvard, Black rights activist.
• Christa McAuliffe: Teacher turned astronaut died in Challenger tragedy.

21st Century

• Bill Gates: Through large donations is able to make major reforms in education.
• Diane Ravitch: Worked hard for education reform through government policy one of few to have changed views based on practice.
• Conrad Wolfram: Through technology, he and his brother created helpful innovations in education software.

References

• Bio. (2016) Famous people in education. Retrieved fromhttp://www.biography.com/people/groups/education-and-academia
• Heick Terry, Perking Drew, Olson Victoria, and Carrington Allen. (2016) 12 People changing education as we know it. Teach thought we grow teachers, 9/29/2012. Retrieved fromhttp://www.teachthought.com/uncategorized/12-people-changing-education-as-we-kno...
• Jennings Troy. (2016) 20 Influential figures in education. Degree central.com, 10/29/2010. Retrieved from http://degreecentral.com/blog/2010/10/29/20-influential-figures-in-educatio...

As a future educator I am confident that I will need to be aware of the work my predecessors have done to create an environment conducive to learning. If I am unaware of the work of the past than I will be unable to gain a benefit from their work. I also feel that learning about the extreme hardship many faced in creating changes in education will help put any difficulties I face today in context. I have learned that many of the conveniences that I take for granted were given to me through great hardship. For instance knowing that someone had to fight to allow education to be free for all through taxes helps me appreciate what I have been given. Knowing how much I have benefited in being able to have a quality education should encourage more appreciated and diligent work by all.