Do you believe this? What’s the evidence of your belief?
Doug Fisher, SDSU, August
Just Wondering . . .
How much “LEARNING” do you engage in during a year?
I learn daily as I read and write.
No one says “I have to”.
No one pays me for my time.
I learn weekly in Twitter chats.
No one says “I have to”.
No one pays me for my time.
I learn weekly as I blog.
No one says “I have to”.
No one pays me for my time.
I learn weekly in my Voxer groups.
No one says “I have to”.
No one pays me for my time.
I learn monthly, semi-annually and even annually from some major events.
Last week led me to learning in Davenport, IA on Monday with Dr. Mary Howard and
in Des Moines, IA on Thursday with Lucy Calkins.
Passionate speakers sharing research-based ideas.
Tirelessly
Leading
Encouraging
Thoughtful
Implementation of Best Practices in Literacy Instruction and
Assessment.
In three weeks I will be at #NCTE17.
No one says “I have to”.
No one pays me for my time.
I’m “retired” from a full-time job and yet since retirement, I have engaged in
15 days
of professional learning of my choice!
No one says “I have to”.
No one pays me for my time.
That does not include book clubs (6 this year).
That does not include Twitter chats (often 2 per week).
That does not include reading . . .
That does not include writing . . .
WHY?
Learning is growing.
Learning is addictive.
Learning is necessary . . . breathe in, breathe out, read, write!
Living a learning life!
What does your learning life look like?
Thank you, Betsy, Beth, Deb, Kathleen, Lanny, Melanie, and Stacey for this weekly forum and the #SOLSC that runs from March 1 to the 31st. Check out the writers, readers and teachers here.
What is the Bill of Rights for Writers according to Lucy Calkins?
Resource - Full 
I find my learning through my PLN, through working with students, through attending wonderful conferences like #KSRA17, PCTELA, and NCTE, and through reading. Thank you for sharing this post.
You are welcome, Aileen! Looking at the many possibilities! 🙂
Fran it’s so helpful to know I am not completely crazy. I have had this drive for knowledge and engagement with others (students and teachers) about instruction since I graduated in college. But there are few people I meet as curious and insanely devoted to learning as myself. It makes me feel so safe when I read your posts and your reflections. Keep learning. I can’t wait to devote more and more time to learning. But it takes a community to engage with – one that is positive and innovative, fearless, and reflective. Thanks for putting yourself out there so I know there is a kindred spirit.
You are welcome, Sarah! I was actually lost this summer when I could not teach classes – I’ve only missed one summer in 40 years! And yes, I will own “insanely devoted to learning” because the more I learn, the more I discover that I DON’T know. So scary!
Your comment has several words that I have been considering for my #OLW for 2018. Not yet done with BRAVE but on the lookout for that next word.
I love all the optional learning too and benefit from so many who share the learning they do at all the workshops I can not attend!
Keep learning, keep sharing!
Erika,
Such a wide open world when we are curious. I’m finding that when I “question” then I have to do more learning in order to figure it out. Maybe I used to be more accepting and now I spend more time verifying for myself??? I will be writing from NCTE and thinking of you!
We are in the profession of learning … seems to make sense we should love to learn! Can’t wait to see you – and your smile – at NCTE!!!
Clare,
I’m ready for #NCTE17 and remembering how packed your ILA session was in that city. And all the rock stars who sat on the floor!
Learning and sharing! Fun days! ❤
Learning in ongoing and never ending. This is something I always tried to instill in my students. Your post is a great testament to that, Fran. May we all continue learning.
Love your post about learning today as well. I don’t believe everyone has to be fanactical about it, but I do believe that everyone must “continue learning”.
You are teaching me so much by your example as a retired teacher. I love working because I love learning but you are teaching me that when I do decide it is time to retire, it’s OK because I can be like Fran and still keep learning!! I also love how much you shared in poem form! Great structure. Great repetition – It is never about the money! It’s about the learning and growing and connecting with smart people! I hope you NEVER stop!!
Sally,
You can do whatever you want to do! Travel, learn, travel and learn! I’m so fortunate that I know so many smart people that fuel my learning! It’s in my blood! Or maybe my DNA! Or maybe my books! LOL ❤
Thank you for this post! I always get so much from reading your posts, but this one really resonated with me today. I especially loved your poem (and might try to use it as a mentor text in my notebook work – I think that it would be a worthy piece of writing). I am completely exhausted (and usually broke from buying so many books and trying to go to conferences!), but the rewards of learning and serving my students is my biggest reward and why I do it. Thank you for helping me to get smarter.
Trina,
You are so welcome!
I’ve always taught some form of summer classes (locally or grad classes) in order to feed my “book habit”. I love that Stenhouse has their professional books on full preview for a month before their debut, so I REALLY know that I must purchase them.
#BetterTogether #SmarterTogether #LearningTogether