Eric Hoffer tells us that, "In times of change learners inherit the earth; while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists."
As a high school teacher, I love this quote. It is so true. In order to be effective in my craft, I need to be learning all the time. The world is constantly changing, and no one is more aware of that than teenagers. Teaching, like any interaction with people, is not static or one sided. In fact, the word education itself means to draw out. Ideally a teacher should learn as much from students as students learn from teachers. We all help to draw out the amazing goodness and giftedness that lies within each of us and within each other. In drawing out, discovering our giftedness, we become aware of the tremendously powerful difference that we can make in the world; we thus inherit the earth.
On the other hand, if we only focus on static information and are not prepared to change, we find that we are soon obsolete. Not only are we obsolete, we are miserable because acting this way goes against our innate nature as human beings. The only constant in life is change. Every change that we experience, every challenge that we face, is an opportunity to grow. We discover gifts inside of us that we never knew existed, and we blossom.
As a person I am constantly learning. I devour books and audio recordings on human growth and potential. I love stories of people who have overcome incredible odds to honour their greatness. I am constantly inspired. This is what I try to bring into the classroom, no matter what subject matter I am teaching.
I really do believe that we live in an age of enlightenment. We are learning so much about how the brain works, we are developing programs in schools that not only teach the students the basics of classical education, we are teaching them what it means to be a kind person, and thus a great person. I am watching the curriculum guidelines which we use shift to allow for more creativity on the part of teachers, which will translate into more creativity on the part of our students. We are moving away from teaching students what to know and are teaching them how to learn.
Our learning and our growth as human beings never ends as long as we live. No matter how young or old you are, learn something new and life giving today. Be inspired and celebrate that inspiration with everyone you meet. In this way you will change the world, and you will inherit the earth.
