Last week was the dreaded Terra Nova testing - remember those? Now, that I am a teacher and have to administer the test I can honestly say that I still can't stand them. As I was preparing my class for the tests, I had a student ask me some profound questions. "Why does everyone judge us based on numbers? What if I am not a good test taker, but I have a lot to offer to a school or company?" Those were just the beginning questions to what sparked a long conversation.

The student- mind you I teach 4th grade, not high school or college - asked why I don't get paid more as a teacher because "[your] job is the reason others can do their job..." Can we please give this child an award of some sort? (As a side note, if a child can see that teachers deserve more, why is it that adults who manage those finances can't figure it out?)

This student went even further and asked why I have to teach certain subjects and topics as opposed to more of the arts and skills that are necessary to get a job and be a contributing member of society. Wow. I guess this kid gets their eight hours of sleep and eats a balanced breakfast.

This student got me thinking. As an adult, I can't tell you much, but I can spit out the quadratic formula and tell you the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell. Let me tell you how those two things helped me in life. They didn't.

All this being said, here are some skills that should probably be learned in the classroom:

1. Basic Medical Training

In the event there is an emergency, it is my own personal belief that everyone should know basic First Aid. Anything can happen at anytime. We are foolish to think otherwise. It is best to be prepared. As a teacher and someone who has worked at a daycare and summer camp, it was imperative that I be certified in First Aid. This could also be helpful for those who do not work with children.

2. Cooking

We can argue whether or not our family should teach us this or we find a recipe online and follow it, but cooking - even basic meals - could be helpful. Not everyone has to be a gourmet chef, but everyone has to eat.

3. Time Management

This could help decrease stress and have an easier time looking at the goals at hand, calmly. This skill must be taught from a young age, not during standardized testing where the instructions say, "You have X minutes to answer all the questions in this section. Use your time wisely."

4. Budgeting and handling money (i.e. banking, taxes, insurance...)

I feel like this speaks for itself. This is such a basic life skill. With money being so important in this world, we should be able to know how to save money, budget, spend wisely, do taxes, file for insurance, buy or rent a home, and so on. You know, basic human stuff.

5. Job Hunting (how to write a resume, cover letter, apply for a job, and how to interview)

I have to admit at my college, there are people to go to. However, I do not think that should be a skill we learn that late in the game. Most people have their first job well before college. Not to mention some people do not even attend college. Writing a resume and knowing how and where to look for jobs is crucial.

Unless you are like my student or can teach yourself well - or even had a great upbringing being on top of you with all of the aforementioned - then I'd say we should bring some of these skills to the classroom, along with others I'm sure I didn't mention. But no, no. Let's not worry about this stuff because, after all, the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell.