Welcome to my first posting at
Tech & Learning. It is a privilege and honor to be invited to share with
Tech & Learning's amazing readers and to join a group of engaging bloggers, ones
that I have read and learned so much from! In my first posting, I would
like to share an article I wrote this last year. It is my way of
sharing my mission, a journey that embraces technology, transformational
learning, and most of all, serves students. I dedicate this posting
to a world of great educators who are in a constant quest to promote
student centered learning and life long achievement. It includes those I
work with in the past, share with everyday in my learning community,
network with across the district, state, nation, and world, plus those I
am still waiting to meet and share with. Most of all I wish for you to
enjoy and share this reflection with others, for every moment allows us
to continue our learning. Please consider following me on twitter (mjgormans) and we can teach each other! Have a
wonderful week! – Mike
OK, so it’s true! I have spent thirty-two years teaching because I
cannot do anything else! To be honest this is something I have recently
learned, something I did not know when I presented my very first
classroom lesson! I actually began my undergraduate career in the
College of Business with an eye on marketing. In the early stages of my
teaching career I became licensed to sell securities with the idea of
becoming rich! Little did I know that because I could only teach, I
would find richness beyond monetary wealth! I dedicate this list of
reasons to all of those great educators who teach, because they cannot
do anything else!
I can’t be a banker or work in the financial
business because while I might enjoy counting money and financial
growth, I would rather count and measure the success of my students.
I can’t
be a doctor or dentist because because while I enjoy seeing people smile
as they leave and are healed, I get even more satisfaction if I see a
smile when they first sit down.
I can’t be a professional
athlete because while I do enjoy competition, I get even more
satisfaction coaching young people to play each game with honor,
integrity, and respect.
I can’t be a computer programmer because while
creating new digital applications is exciting, finding ways to integrate
technology to inspire real learning is rewarding.
I can’t work in
agriculture or landscaping because while supplying food and natural
beauty is appreciated by all, I enjoy planting seeds of life-long
learning knowing that it will nourish one’s life.
I can’t work as a cook or
chef because while I appreciate the art in a great meal, I most enjoy
finding just the right ingredients that allow for a child’s success.
I can’t
work in sales or marketing because even though I have learned from their
great people skills, I would rather sell students on their abilities
and possibilities.
I can’t be a pilot even though I appreciate them as I
travel to new places, as I would rather facilitate young people as they
climb in altitude and arrive at new destinations.
I can’t be an artist
despite my appreciation for the beauty they bring, as I have found that
my art is the ability to inspire and nurture children as they discover
their innate abilities.
I can’t be a scientist or inventor because, while I
am aware of the great advances they bring, I wish to create innovative
learning experiences that always end in success.
I could go on and on! As you can see, I
really do appreciate all of the other professions and realize there are
so many more I can’t do. After all, as teachers we really are preparing
students for what they will do best in the world. Possibly in the future
those we teach will not be able to do anything else, because we have
assisted them them in becoming the very best at what they do! As I
continue my journey I have expanded my teaching horizon and understand
that genuine educators, whether they be teachers, administrators, or
educational consultants, continue to teach and inspire others, because
they really can’t do anything else.
Thanks for joining
me on this exciting journey dedicated to learning in the 21st Century!
Writing for Tech & Learning is yet another exciting adventure! One that I
hope we can travel together. I invite you to follow me on Twitter (@mjgormans), I will return the favor and we
can teach each other! I also encourage you to visit my 21centuryedtech Wiki filled with the best of free 21st
Century Resources and my 21centuryedtech
Blog where you will have the opportunity to discover and reflect!
Most of all please return to Tech/Learning as I will keep learning from, sharing with,
teaching, and facilitating all learners! After all, I can’t do anything
else! – Mike