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
