Future Leader: Life Long Learner
Life long learner. In the education field we often here these words, they are spoken from past instructors, colleagues, and as a teacher I have used these words when talking to my students. I have heard these words so often I believe they started to lose their meaning. While working through my masters program at Michigan State University, I was reminded about what it means to be a life long learner and how important it is in the education world to continue learning new subject and life lessons. While earning this degree three lessons that I still want to learn have been brought to the front of my thoughts. First of all, I want to learn how I can help my students become better leaders. Secondly, I hope to continue growing as an effective communicator, with students, parents, and coworkers. Considering sports play a big role in my life, the third area I hope to improve upon would be coaching. Being a life long learner, those words may be overused, but it is only because it is so important. I know there are many lessons and information I want to learn, and it starts with the three I mentioned above.
My master’s degree will have a focus on leadership. I feel that it is important that I help my students and players become better leaders themselves. In my years of teaching and coaching, I have found that true student leaders are becoming harder and harder to find. How can I get students to understand leadership? More importantly, how can I help students understand that leadership is important? There are multiple leadership camps, retreats, or classes that you can bring students to. One of these such classes that I have used before is run by the Michigan High School Athletic Association, and is simply called “Captain Clinics”. Regardless of the program, I believe an important aspect of these clinics is the coach or teacher sits through the clinic with the student. Discussions and activities are done together. This is where the true learning comes from. Each student is different, and the more I can interact with the students the better I will be able to reach future student leaders.
In order to be a leader, you must be able to communicate with those around you. It is this communication that does not always come easily to me. I can be a bit too relaxed or hesitant to say what is on my mind. If I want to continue to develop as a leader, I know I have to continue to learn how to communicate effectively. In the school district that I teach in, they host a Dale Carnegie course. There are many people I work with that have gone through the course, and they say they have a better understanding of how to effectively communicate with those around them. I have always been hesitant to enroll in a course like this, but if improving my communication means that I take the next step in learning to be a good leader, than maybe it is time that I take a second look at taking the course.
Athletics play a big role in my life. Not only do I enjoy being around the sports that I coach, but I also see athletics as a chance to get to know students outside of the classroom. A good coach can go a long way towards making a positive impact on a young person’s life. The MHSAA not only offers captain/leadership clinics, but they also offer a Coaches Advancement Program. This program is divided in to seven different sections, all designed at teaching coaches how to improve in their craft. I have already completed 2 of these classes and look forward to taking the others.
Being a life long learner is something that we hear a lot about in the education world. Sometimes I feel the importance of being a life long learner is forgotten about. While earning my mater’s degree with an emphasis in leadership, it has occurred to me, what better way to inspire or lead my students in becoming life long learners than to continue to be one myself. My desire to learn has been restored, and I look forward to seeing where I go from here. I hope my students and athletes are as inspired as I am.
