For the purpose practical experience in the classroom as an educator, I feel it is best to outline two competencies that matter most to me at this time (which could, and hopefully will, change over time as that experience amplifies): critical thinking and communication. Critical thinking, a way of analysis, is of utmost importance and especially important in todays society. It is the ability to think for oneself, the skill to take knowledge and apply it to their own opinion, and the effort to research further into a topic. Each of which has a specific direction to take in order to convey coherent thought, with additional content/knowledge that adds to the discussion in thoughtful way. The best example I can think of is when dealing with text in my recent practicum class: Creative Writing 10. George Orwell, a brilliant English author, constructed a persuasive text, Animal Farm, on voice, opinion, and, above all, critical thinking. The text within the text speaks to how important ones voice is when there is conflict or general discussion going on-summing up a message that it is far better to speak your opinion and be completely wrong, than it is to be a zombie by just following others orders. This is noticed through the characters in the novel, some very intelligent and persuasive speakers, others hard working by willing to do anything for the cause of the farm. Both traits, intelligent and industrious, are equally important; however, the book speaks to how important critical thinking is because there can easily be a collapse in leadership if critical thoughts come to mind, but are not shared and utterly missed. The other equally as important skill, not limited and easily requires as much thought/skill, is communication. The failure to communicate was evident in Animal Farm, with animals being intelligent but being too fearful of speaking out. Communication is the daily driver in everyone’s lives and should be at the forefront of any job application-a simple, yet arguable, reason that the subject of English is the most valuable subject of all in all education. The ability to communicate an idea or share knowledge demands power from peers and others. Thus, both skills present relevance in the 21st century as underlining competencies that are valued by friends, family, employers, educators, and professors at higher levels of education.