What Do You Want to be When YOU grow up?

What do you want to be when you grow up?  How many times have you been asked this question? Do you find yourself asking children this? As I look back through my life experiences, I realize that so many of my life experiences have led me down this path.  I was destined to be a teacher.  However, it wasn't until this year that I truly realized what I wanted to be when I grew up.  I want to be a learner! You see, I think being a learner gives us permission to try new things. It sets up the expectation that we are in a growth mindset. It gives us permission to fail!  Being a learner allows us to give away some of the power. Giving up power to students can be scary! But let me tell you, it opens up doors! And with each door that opens, it gets easier to take that next step.

#KeepMovingForward

Technology opens up many doors for learners everyday!  Technology can be scary!  It can also be empowering!  What we need to realize is that there really is no way to be an expert in technology! It changes every single day.  Being a learner helps us embrace that technology is a tool that creates more questions than answers.  Isn't that what we want from our students?  We want them to question the world! We want them to discover their passions and forge down their own path.  Perhaps asking students what they want to be when they grow up is an antiquated question! The US Department of Education Office of Educational Technology is imploring that our students are "Future Ready."

#FutureReady

As a learner and as a parent, I want my children to be "Future Ready." I want to give them the tools they need to innovate, to explore, to connect, to fail! I am willing to admit my weaknesses in the areas of technology and innovation so that I can reach out to my peers to find the support and answers I need. I am willing to be uncomfortable in front of staff and students if it means that our students will be closer to being "Future Ready."  I invite you to join me as a learner!