Passing the torch — crafting educational legacies through apprenticeship & mentorship

Knowledge is a gift for sharing

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” — Nelson Mandela.

Last week, my meat-loving partner prepared a slow-cooked brisket for Sunday lunch, a tradition that our boys eagerly anticipate. The brisket, always a large one, is perfect for sandwiches during the early part of the week and is ideal for our athletic kids always on the go. My partner starts roasting the brisket mid-morning to ensure it’s ready for a late lunch. The process is a spectacle — a three-male (1 adult — 2 teenagers) conversation about spices and the aroma of cooking meat fills the air, creating a unique atmosphere infused with male chatter and camaraderie.

On a recent brisket day, my partner asked our thirteen-year-old to make the coleslaw — a task that used to be mine. Naturally, our son looked confused, as if to say, “Who, me?” It dawned, then, on me that despite his culinary ambitions, he’d never made coleslaw before. Known for his Caesar salads, this new challenge excited him. Though eager, he needed guidance to master this skill. He is that one kid who often critiques my cooking, telling me if a meal is “giving” or if my bread is too “doughy,” providing ideas for improvement. At thirteen, his feedback is constructive, even if sometimes critical.

Anyway, he is also the same kid who will ask for a basic cheese sandwich but ends up with a croque monsieur, raising the culinary expectations and a generation of a new grocery list, all at my expense. He can be exhausting in the kitchen. Despite this, I’m confident that with practice, he will craft a delicious coleslaw with Dijon dressing. If you know, you know. But I digress.

A case for apprenticeships

Historically, apprenticeships have played a crucial role in the transfer of knowledge and skills, representing both a visceral and holistic approach to education that combines practical experience with theoretical learning. This model, deeply rooted in many cultures, ensured that learners gained not only academic knowledge but also proficiency in applying this knowledge…