Where Future Learning Takes Me...
by Emily Dalgleish
Part of my hope as an educator is that I may inspire my students to become lovers of learning, that they may become lifelong learners. I hope that they will learn to continually ask questions. I have found as I come to the close of my Master’s Degree program, that I am optimistic about the future learning opportunities that lie ahead.
As a lifelong learner myself, it was very natural to pursue my Master’s Degree because I found that as I taught, I had unanswered questions. I knew that I needed to know more in order to do my job right, in order to help my students. Likewise, after having completed this program, I realize that there is still more to know!
I once found “Ph.D.” to be an incredibly intimidating term. However, now that I have successfully earned my Master’s Degree, I find myself viewing this as an achievable option. Although I do not currently have plans for a PhD, it is something that I can envision myself someday accomplishing.
One of the things I am most looking forward to about getting back into the classroom is the collaborative relationships that are formed with other professionals who are passionate about teaching and learning. I always enjoy learning how other teachers structure their classrooms, discovering new techniques they are employing, and other helpful information. Likewise, I enjoy sharing the successes I have found, or activities my students have enjoyed and benefited from. These professional relationships are valuable to me, and I have been very fortunate to maintain them in some respect while I am taking a season at home with my daughter.
While I am not actively teaching, I have benefited from my relationships with current teachers. My mother-in-law and some of my closest friends are teaching in classrooms all over the country. I have learned, from their experiences contrasted with my own, some of the challenges in changing grade levels, the new struggles students in classrooms today are encountering, and latest trends in curriculum. Having these connections has helped me “stay connected” and excited about teaching again someday while I chase my toddler around at home!
Another thing I have also learned from my family and friends in education has been how technology affects them in the classroom. Indeed, I can even see it everyday with my daughter as she learns her letters and numbers with the help of my Ipad! Pursuing my own studies in a technology-saturated manor has encouraged me as I see its effects in elementary classrooms. Many may be intimidated by online learning, however I have found its challenges to be incredibly rewarding. It has allowed me to become more comfortable with exploring new technology, that I may have shied away from in the past, and add new resources to those I currently have. I have used these to explore new trends and best practices (Utube or teacher tube for learning more about teaching guided reading groups or daily five). I feel it is extremely important that I keep current as I anticipate moving back into teaching in the not too distant future.
I eagerly anticipate the challenges and rewards of learning a new school community, curriculum, and possible new grade level once I step back into teaching. Wherever we wind up, as my husband’s career takes us across the country, and possibly even the world, I look forward to each new culture and environment I will have the privilege of learning.
Another aspect of my personal life that I have found the opportunity for learning in is how I can better enrich my child’s life. I have explored infant growth and development, literature on sleep, nutrition, vaccinations, potty training, and parenting approaches. I have also explored Montessori versus traditional preschool in greater depth as we approach the preschool years. This aspect of my life certainly provides a great deal of room for learning, which I know will only continue as we enter the elementary, high school, and college stages! My daughter provides me with many, many opportunities to learn, but she is not the only person I am learning more about.
I am also still learning about myself and what my unique talents are as I serve in various leadership and participant capacities in organizations such as Protestant Women Of the Chapel, Mothers Of Preschoolers, and Officer Spouses’ Club.
My love for learning only grows as I find more creative outlets for this passion. As I find these, and as I continue to learn and to grow, one thing is clear, and that is that the possibilities are endless!
