Never Stop Learning
Jessica Doepker
Strolling along the banks of the Red Cedar, watching groups of incoming Freshman get their orientation tours of campus, I realize I will always be a student. It will not be because of legislative mandates telling me I have to earn so many credits or making me attend so many hours of professional development in order to keep my teaching certificate. I will continue to learn to better myself intellectually, professionally, and personally.
Completing my master’s degree online opened a new door to learning. It wasn’t until my sophomore year of college that I really understood what it took to learn new material independently. Prior to that, I had always figured it out, but didn’t necessarily internalize the process, and I still relied heavily on teachers and professors to guide me. However, once I started taking classes geared toward education, the learning process seemed clearer, and it also inspired me to teach others.
Taking online classes has reinforced my ability and confidence to learn independently. There is no doubt that I will miss the online learning community once my degree is complete. However, there are still many classes offered in my focus areas that I would like to take. I now know I have the skills to be successful in an online class, and that sometimes learning at my own pace and in a timeframe that fits my schedule is much more convenient than meeting face-to-face. At first I thought I would miss the dynamic of a traditional classroom setting, but I found that because I was required to communicate through alternative forms, especially written communication, what I contributed was much more intentional and thoughtful. I couldn’t just sit in the back and get away with not getting involved. Online classes have put my learning in the spotlight, and that has held me accountable.
Another advantage of an online degree is staying current with technology. Technology alone will require all of us to continue learning unless we want to be left in the dark. In the past, I have gotten the latest gadgets and barely used them. Now I am learning ways to implement them as tools in my classroom and utilizing the different ways they allow me to communicate. Teaching will require me to be a 21st century learner with my students.
I have grown a lot professionally in the last eighteen months, as well. It was the first time I had the opportunity to be on the presenting end of professional development. It was such an honor to be able to share information and experiences with other professionals, and I would like to continue doing it. In order for that to be available, I have to keep growing and implementing best practices. It will be important to stay up-to-date and continue to read research to determine what would work best with my students. My desire to become a master teacher motivates me to push my instructional practices in order to get the best results.
My school district also strongly supports professional growth and provides opportunities to facilitate it. We have district-wide book clubs, professional development, and access to great teachers as resources to continue learning and growing. I currently serve on the District’s School Improvement Team and am a co-leader of the Data/Community Outreach Team. I will stay involved at the leadership level to continue learning and helping colleagues learn, as well.
This program has also given me more confidence to take risks and try new things for personal learning. As one of my former students put it, “You can learn everything on the Internet.” In the past year and a half, I have tried many new things via the Internet. For instance, I recently taught myself how to sew, how to refurbish furniture, and how to become a more skilled crafter. When I want to do something or I see something I like, I just use the Internet as my resource and figure it out. Prior to starting my master’s degree, I never really considered all the possibilities that were at my fingertips. Now I feel like I could teach myself how to do pretty much anything if I did enough reading and found the right virtual experts to consult. It makes the possibilities for future projects exciting.
One good thing about learning is that is doesn’t allow life to get dull. Being curious and inquisitive and willing to take risks reap some of the greatest rewards. I don’t want to feel like I am uninformed or behind the times. I will continue to read, research, be involved, and try new things. I will never stop learning.
Completing my master’s degree online opened a new door to learning. It wasn’t until my sophomore year of college that I really understood what it took to learn new material independently. Prior to that, I had always figured it out, but didn’t necessarily internalize the process, and I still relied heavily on teachers and professors to guide me. However, once I started taking classes geared toward education, the learning process seemed clearer, and it also inspired me to teach others.
Taking online classes has reinforced my ability and confidence to learn independently. There is no doubt that I will miss the online learning community once my degree is complete. However, there are still many classes offered in my focus areas that I would like to take. I now know I have the skills to be successful in an online class, and that sometimes learning at my own pace and in a timeframe that fits my schedule is much more convenient than meeting face-to-face. At first I thought I would miss the dynamic of a traditional classroom setting, but I found that because I was required to communicate through alternative forms, especially written communication, what I contributed was much more intentional and thoughtful. I couldn’t just sit in the back and get away with not getting involved. Online classes have put my learning in the spotlight, and that has held me accountable.
Another advantage of an online degree is staying current with technology. Technology alone will require all of us to continue learning unless we want to be left in the dark. In the past, I have gotten the latest gadgets and barely used them. Now I am learning ways to implement them as tools in my classroom and utilizing the different ways they allow me to communicate. Teaching will require me to be a 21st century learner with my students.
I have grown a lot professionally in the last eighteen months, as well. It was the first time I had the opportunity to be on the presenting end of professional development. It was such an honor to be able to share information and experiences with other professionals, and I would like to continue doing it. In order for that to be available, I have to keep growing and implementing best practices. It will be important to stay up-to-date and continue to read research to determine what would work best with my students. My desire to become a master teacher motivates me to push my instructional practices in order to get the best results.
My school district also strongly supports professional growth and provides opportunities to facilitate it. We have district-wide book clubs, professional development, and access to great teachers as resources to continue learning and growing. I currently serve on the District’s School Improvement Team and am a co-leader of the Data/Community Outreach Team. I will stay involved at the leadership level to continue learning and helping colleagues learn, as well.
This program has also given me more confidence to take risks and try new things for personal learning. As one of my former students put it, “You can learn everything on the Internet.” In the past year and a half, I have tried many new things via the Internet. For instance, I recently taught myself how to sew, how to refurbish furniture, and how to become a more skilled crafter. When I want to do something or I see something I like, I just use the Internet as my resource and figure it out. Prior to starting my master’s degree, I never really considered all the possibilities that were at my fingertips. Now I feel like I could teach myself how to do pretty much anything if I did enough reading and found the right virtual experts to consult. It makes the possibilities for future projects exciting.
One good thing about learning is that is doesn’t allow life to get dull. Being curious and inquisitive and willing to take risks reap some of the greatest rewards. I don’t want to feel like I am uninformed or behind the times. I will continue to read, research, be involved, and try new things. I will never stop learning.