For hundreds of years we developed happiness as a reproduce prescribed
humans have been obsessed subject at his school in contents, whereas teachers
with the need to feel happy, Heidelberg in 2007, and since should see themselves as
and in this fast moving modern 2009 has been passing on his treasure hunters rather than
world of ours, many a learned concept to other teachers at fault finders. I was also
individual has studied the his educational institute. particularly concerned about
concept of happiness but most “When the idea struck I had disadvantaged children who
have come up short in being already been teaching for 30 were so negatively influenced
able to produce a genuine years, and it became clear to by school that they lost their
formula that will turn an me that children did not feel enthusiasm to learn.”
unhappy person into a happy happy in school, and yet it one. What has evolved in the should be a school’s job to last eight or nine decades is awaken and maintain the the quick fix route, a papering pleasure of learning, not over of the cracks, as being simply to promote the “Happiness as a school
happy on a permanent basis is achievement of academic subject is designed to
seen as something that is goals. I had the feeling that strengthen the personality, and
extremely difficult, if not school gradually stifles our numerous studies show that
impossible to achieve. curiosity. In contrast to all the people who are happy and
Having said all of that, a insights of psychology, many contented, argue less, are
former head teacher in teachers treat their students healthier, more receptive and
Germany, Ernst Fritz-Schubert like learning machines to more creative.”
15