Yearn to Learn

While reading the 7 1/2 Habits of Lifelong Learners, it occurred to me that this is a relatively new concept to be promoted.  It was the goal, when I was in school to “finish high school; finish college; finish one’s advanced degree(s)”, and then move on.  As I have advanced in my profession of teaching, I have benefited enormously from Habit # 5: Creating a Learning Toolbox.  I think this has been both the most important and the most resonant for me as a teacher.  However, it has not been easy.  I gathered my tools progressively while my children were young.  Had it not been for a colleague with whom I began my continuing education in Maryland, I would have been defeated from the start.  But she encouraged me with study groups and shared discussions after classes.  My first response would have been to create the obstacle of “…my children are young and I’m too busy with their schedules…”.  But she encouraged me to be resourceful and work around that so she and I could ‘move forward together’.  That camaraderie was HUGE in my toolbox. In addition, the shared experience activated confidence in myself as a learner and enabled me to integrate new ideas and teaching formats into my lessons.  But the paramount gain in my toolbox was that I changed my entire teaching area from French to Special Education.  I have never looked back because my teaching of students with learning disabilites has been, and continues to be, so rewarding.