Thing #1 - Lifelong Learning and Learning 2.0

I would consider myself a lifelong learner; I decided to become a teacher in largely due to the fact that I continue to enjoy gaining new insights, as well as varying opinions and viewpoints on a slew of topics, especially history and literature.  I feel that it is a shame when people graduate from school, be it high school or college, and essentially say to themselves, “Well, that’s done!  Now I don’t have to learn anything else!”  (I know several people who seem to have adopted this sort of attitude.)  I live under the impression that finishing school merely marks the beginning of a person’s self-guided learning experience.  After graduation you are, in some sense, on your own.  This concept can be liberating in one of two ways- you can see it as freedom to learn what you want, how you want, or else you can see it as freedom from learning in general.  Personally, I find those people who need constant prodding to learn something new to be in great need of a change in perspective.  It is my hope to be a valuable and effective agent for change in perspective among my future students.

In regards to the 7 ½ Habits, I feel that my strongest habit is my ability to have confidence in myself as a confident, effective learner (Habit #4).  I have always enjoyed school (not necessarily homework), and thanks to the support of my parents, friends, and past teachers, I have always felt capable and encouraged.  Conversely (and perhaps ironically), my weakest habit has historically been #3, the ability to view problems as challenges.  This is something I have been personally focused on for some time now, and while I feel that I have made great strides towards my self-appointed goals in this area, I still feel that this is the field with which I would like to maintain focus towards improvement.  There’s always room to grow, right?