Develop a passion for learning.

If you do, you will never cease to grow.

Anthony J. D’Angelo,

The College Blue Book

“Learning results from what the student does and thinks and only from what the student does and thinks.  The teacher can advance learning only by influencing what the student does to learn.”   Herbert A. Simon  (One of the founders of the field of Cognitive Science and Nobel Laureate)

I think I’ve mentioned at least, if not twice, the open classroom visits that recently happened on my campus.  Just a few days ago, one of the professors that visited my 101 level introduction to early childhood education class thanked me for my hospitality and noted that he was interested in the fact that I “only” had 10 minutes of direct instruction.

Although I’ve never timed myself, I wouldn’t doubt that number at all.  I work hard to create an hour of learning that is doing.  The quote I found fascinates me because I’m sure that the more I provide time for students to do, the more they learn; and the more I talk or lecture at them, the less they learn.  I create opportunities for thinking about what they already know about a subject, what they still want to know, asking others what they know and comparing that knowledge, and thinking about ways to learn what they still want to know.

Thank you Dr. Simon for reassuring me that doing is a good thing in learning, a very good thing.

“Propel, propel, propel your craft softly down liquid solution.

Ecstatically, ecstatically, ecstatically, ecstatically, existence is

simply illusion.”        Mr. Rogers

Indeed it is.   But, it’s an illusion worth keeping.  Today I’m thinking that life is full, life is complicated, life is complicated, life leaves me powerless at times, and that I’m glad I’m in the stream of it.

A quote from an email a colleague sent me today as a result of her visiting one of my classes during Open Classroom Week  (a week where faculty volunteer to open their classes to other faculty and staff to visit and also to visit other classrooms themselves).

“I was daydreaming in your class with how wonderful your students are and would be great educators by learning from people like you. I loved your sense of calm and your peaceful way of pointing out what has been done and what is to come in your class.”

Today I feel very proud.

Today was Advising Day at the community college where I work – a day to sit with your Advisor (for those students who choose to, of course), and talk about your goals, where your studies are going, how they are going, what you want to be when you “grow-up.”   I asked each student as they entered my office to pull up a chair and talk to me about how things were going.  A student who took a semester off stopped by with her two-week old infant to introduce him to me and proudly let me know that she’s registered for next semester – as is her husband.  (Bravo to them!)  I wish I could get each student to pull up a chair – these little half hour talks are so enlightening for me in terms of how to best support that student on their journey – whether as their Advisor or their teacher as well.

While sitting in a classroom with a few students during an Hour Open Session, the President of the College stopped in as he toured an important guest of his around — and he nicely informed the guest that if he wanted to know how Mr. Rogers related to life and learning, he should seek me out!

And so, today I’m thinking of an article written by Mr. Rogers support staff about pulling up a chair and the value and importance of that moment to forming a relationship that creates an environment for deep learning.

“When we sit, we’re also saying “I’m settling in here to be with you because I care about you, your thoughts, feelings and ideas.”  That’s what “Mister Rogers” did at the beginning of each program, when he put on his sweater and sneakers.  He let children see that he was putting aside other concerns and settling in for a “visit” with them (sort of like “pulling up a chair”).  ”

Today I’m thinking about the importance of relationship to learning.

“Education, for most people, means trying to lead the child to resemble the typical adult of his society…but for me, education means making creators…you have to make inventors, innovators, not conformists.”  Jean Piaget

I’ve just purchased the newly published Steve Jobs biography by Walter Isaacson  (although it will have to wait until I finish the biography of Einstein by this same author).

I’m looking forward to the read for many reasons; but mostly I want to see if the book covers Job’s childhood.  In flipping pages, I did come across a statement that Job’s biological mother insisted that Steve was to be adopted by college educated people.   When the world calls him a visionary, what part of that can we relate to his early childhood?  I’m interested.  Research tells us the early years make all the difference – so did the difference Jobs make come from his early years?  Today I’m thinking about how to support pre-service teachers in learning how to make space and time and energy to allow children to continue to be the inventors and innovators they are when they arrive.

“It is important to ask and answer this question:  What do students need to know and be able to do “out there” as a result of their work in our classrooms.”     Ruth Stiehls   The Outcomes Primer

Exactly!  I ask myself this constantly.  At times this is the source of the reason I work for such long hours.  A standardized multiple choice test is about content, not about application.  In caring for young children, very rarely is there a multiple choice in the moment when a small person needs her/his needs met immediately.  Although the consequences for me are long hours, and exhaustion, as I create new scenarios, new applications in the classroom, new ways to write and think about the content, the payoff is quality care of young children.  This is what my students need to know and be able to do “out there:”  care for the leaders of tomorrow.  Today I’m thinking about one aspect of quality.

Supposing is good, but finding out is better.
- Mark Twain in Eruption; Mark Twain’s Autobiography

That’s all I have to say today.  It’s been a day of deep learning, excitement over the transformation that learning brings, and the thrill of the hunt of new learning possibilities.  Thank you Mark Twain for summing it up so nicely.

‘There is no end. There is no beginning. There is only the infinite passion of life.’

Frederico Fellini Film Director
A beautiful day today — glorious sun, a not so glorious autumn color due to so much rain, good smells and too much food at the fair, the company of good friends, the hugs and kisses of little and big family members, and life itself.  Today I am happy.  Today I am alive.  Today I’m even almost totally rested.

Here’s to the beginning of another year of beauty and passion.  Here’s even to the Tuesday morning that will come this week when I must put in a 12 hour day.  Today I am thinking about gratefulness.