I love learning. I love the challenge of learning something new, as well as watching others struggle with dissonance, then have their ‘aha’ moment. It simultaneously stimulates me and wears me out. I was lucky enough to spend the weekend at the Ontario Google Summit with 600 other educators getting google-y. It was energizing and inspiring for all of us there. Although by Sunday morning many were feeling a little dazed and feeling like their brains were full, there was still talk of what was next, and how people were going home to change Monday’s lessons. Thank-you Upper Grand District School board and Bill M (@bmackenz) for allowing me to go and participate in this!
Today (Monday) I get to participate in more PD - I will be attending another board sponsored session with TC2‘s Garfield Gini-Newman (@ggininewman). In my school this is a hot ticket and I feel lucky to be one of 3 who get to go this time. But it also came with it’s challenge that I can’t let go…
When we were discussing who in our department would get to go one member said he didn’t need to go because he was too old. I would have accepted almost any other excuse (can’t miss the teaching day, coaching right after school, not interested in the speaker) with the thought “oh, that’s too bad.” But to say you are too old to learn/grow/change/share? And to put this in a little bit of context, this person is about my age, and will retire after I do (in 11 years). It frustrated me. How can a teacher think that it is OK to quit learning and growing? How is it possible to believe that you have nothing more to learn? Or that for the next 11+ years you will not change?
I strongly believe in the idea of lifelong learning. I want my students to see that learning is something that they need to participate in all the time, not just during school hours for credit. I want to model learning for them. I also want to thank the colleagues and members of my PLN who have modelled that you are never too old to learn. There are many people I respect who have retired and continue to model lifelong learning.
At the risk of leaving some out, thanks Doug (@dougpte), Hal, Norm, Jamie who have all retired, but continue(d) to challenge me and model lifelong learning/thinking. And thanks to those who model excellent professional development throughout their career and support and challenge me regardless of proximity to retirement: Peter (@peterskillen), Brenda (@brendasherry), Garfield (@ggininewman), Bill, Becky, Sheila (@SheilaTLKHPS), Melissa (@melissa_roth), Alanna (@banana29), Sarah (@sarle83), Adam (@adamvick) and ... everyone I follow on twitter.
Today, thank someone who challenges you to continue growing and learning. Feel free to use the comments to do so publicly!
