Nature versus Nurture

Nature trumps nurture when it comes to a child’s educational fate according to a recent study of 5474 pairs of twins, 2008 of them identical. This study, while considered pretty controversial, claims to prove that the genes we inherit have a bigger impact on exam success than schooling or parenting. As a teacher in my previous life I always knew that kids came with different potentials, and despite those differences everybody can learn. This study doesn't disagree and if anything emphasizes how important it is to provide more resources for kids who need the most. No genes for intelligence have been identified but a one size fits all style of educational approach isn't the best either. That was one more thing I discovered in my previous life as a teacher. So I guess if you can read that bumper sticker you can still thank your teacher, but keep in mind you can thank your parents too.