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…