Every culture emphasizes different values. This goes beyond ethnic cultures and even applies to work cultures. Each organization has different beliefs that motivate its employees and make it successful. At Optimus Learning School, we believe that a balance between two seemingly contradictory values is the key to the success of our school and our students. These values are discipline and critical thinking.

Some educational cultures only value discipline. These students are trained to be respectful towards authority, to work hard, and to focus. Discipline fosters a serious environment in which the same thing is usually required of everyone. Only the very best are praised and rewarded - all other hard work is simply expected. There are many benefits to the value of discipline, but in isolation it can be taken too far. When students are pressured excessively they become rigid and lack creativity. They will only focus on the exact formula that they believe is required and try to master it. Thus, when they are eventually faced with a new problem that does not fit into their existing schema, they can become frustrated and panicked. That is why it is so important to develop critical thinking.

When a student learns to think critically, they essentially learn to ask how and why something works. Rather than memorizing rules and formulas and accepting them at face value, they go beyond the surface and try to have a deeper understanding. This is important because it enables students to learn a concept and then apply it to various situations. Creative thinking relies on individualism and can sometimes require challenging authority. It entails thinking outside the box and always trying to improve the way things are done. Every scientific and technological invention that we rely upon today was a result of critical thinking. However, without discipline, critical thinking can also be abused. People who think critically but do not have discipline might be impulsive, ignore tradition, defy authority and develop hubris.

This is why balance is so important to us at OLS. We teach students the important aspects of discipline: working hard and respecting authority. Yet we also encourage them to think critically: questioning the reason behind concepts and being creative. We give them freedom to read, create art, and play games. Yet we also challenge them to excel in their academics. Our promise to you is that we are dedicated to this philosophy of balance, and we believe it will help your children to be successful.    

 

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Optimus Learning School is a tutoring center in Brea serving Fullerton, Placentia, and Yorba Linda. Since 2008, we have been helping students from kindergarten through high school achieve their academic goals through our various programs such as our home school, after school program, homework help, and private tutoring. We also offer seasonal programs such as our popular summer camp. There are many enrichment classes year-round, such as coding, STEM, piano, and art which will help shape creative and well-rounded students. Are you ready to kickstart your child’s education? Send an inquiry form or contact us today!