Rediscovering Education...and Ourselves in the Process
Over the past six months or so, I've been working as a scribe for a friend and local educator in the school system, who has decided to advance herself and get her Masters. This decision did not come lightly, as returning to school, combined with juggling a teaching career and being a single parent, is not easy. She's a determined, resourceful, and intelligent woman, though, who knows what she wants...and what she wants is to rediscover education and progress herself, so that she can be more effective as an educator.
I've been thinking a lot about her choice, especially after having talked to her students this morning as part of the Education Week happening here in Saskatchewan. Seeing the shiny young faces and discussing careers and education with them has put me in introspective mood into their educational careers, the teachers who work with them, and my friend's choice to progress the way in which that interaction occurs.
In our discussions regarding educational theory, practice, and implementation, it is incredible the varying approaches and opinions that people have towards education. The spectrum runs from people who go out of their way to avoid any "learning", to those who dabble in it, to those who eagerly pursue it and search for new things to learn each day. Ultimately, I feel that whether or not you are conscious of it, we are all learning each and every day. Progressing, changing, adapting, living, learning.
"Education is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance." - Will Durant
In today's world of technology, it is very easy to gain access to the information and answers we desire. We "google" terms and phrases to obtain further details. We search online for market trends. We puruse houses on websites or the MLS system. As much as we don't see it as such, this is all education! We're seeing new photos, reading new information, making connections to things we already know. Our quest for information then causes a reaction in us to look for more information, talk to others, share this information, or use it in our business transactions.
"The great aim of education is not knowledge, but action." - Herbert Spencer
The same can be said for this article. Usually my articles focus on strategies or features that are interesting and can benefit you in your business and lives, but this month is a bit different. Rather than sharing something new, I'm throwing out a challenge for you to take action. Go to www.Point2AgentEducation.com. Register for a live Education Session, read a previously-written article, check out the blog tips, watch a Training Video. Then, take that knowledge and apply it to your Point2 Agent site. Don't worry about making mistakes:
"The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing." - John Powell
If something did go wrong, how did you rectify the situation? What did you learn that you need to consider in the future? What went well? What progression or changes did you make on your website? What did you learn?
We all learn each and every day. That is what keeps us motivated. That is what keeps life interesting. That is what makes us interesting. That is what keeps us alive.
"Education is too important to be left solely to educators." - Francis Keppel
My friend is taking a chance and jumping in head-first into a new chapter of her life, taking her future by the horns and giving it a shake to not only improve her life and skills, but also the education that her students receive from her.
Your education is in your hands. What are you going to do with it?
"Too many times we stand aside, and let the waters slip away. 'Til what we put off 'til tomorrow, has now become today. So don't you sit upon the shoreline, and say you're satisfied. Choose to chance the rapids, and dare to dance the tide." - Garth Brooks, "The River"
~ Tanya D. Spilchak, Point2 Education Coordinator