Lifelong learners are motivated to learn and develop because they want to; it is a deliberate and voluntary act. Lifelong learning can enhance our understanding of the world around us, provide us with more and better opportunities and improve our quality of life.
Remember that the word pedagogy comes from the Greek root, which means, “to lead the child.” Everyone is a geek for something; everyone has passion for something. Make that something learning!
As teachers and parents, it is our responsibility to infect our students with passion for learning! The essential question becomes, “How do we infect our children with a passion for learning?”
The answer is “show, don’t tell.” Model, Model, Model!!!
A very wise educator once said, “Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world. There is no passion to be found playing small-in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.”
If our children see us living such a life, they will do the same.
Passion-Based Learning and The Power of Passion
In article published in Edutopia by Ainissa Ramirez, April 2, 2013, the focus is on two ways to get a child passionate about something:
- Find out what each child is innately passionate about.
- Be an instructor that exudes passion for the topic, and infect your students with that excitement.
Perhaps only a few of us have benefited from the first option, but all of us can benefit from the second one. That is the power of passion.
When we become passionate about learning, we become lifelong learners. We choose to engage in continuous development and improvement of the knowledge and skills needed for our careers and personal fulfillment.
Developing passionate lifelong learners is what sets New York Academy apart from many schools. Our students learn to learn, and learn to love learning.
Cheers,
Mr. Brian