Learning Curve

Posted on September 16, 2011 by

Every day I’m in the business of learning.  It’s what I trained for, it’s what I get paid for, and it’s turned into one of my life’s passions.  The interesting thing is that over 20 years of teaching, I’ve spent more time teaching other people than spending time focusing on directly teaching myself a new skill.
I’m not a big fan of taking classes-wow, that’s funny for a teacher to say!  I’ve never been a jazzercise-boot camp-training team kind of exerciser.  I haven’t unleashed my inner artist in a clay studio or au-plein air painting group.  I can’t imagine making time to learn how to do all those household repairs that I pay someone else to do (although maybe I should!).  I love gardening but have never attended a rose pruning clinic or composting seminar.  Cooking, baking, writing – all things I love to do, but never have I registered for a class.  College doesn’t count-I’m talking about learning just for the sake of learning, no ultimate goal or ulterior motive.
Learning, for me, has become something done by osmosis…something that I often don’t even notice until it’s over.  And sometimes that’s a really good thing.  But sometimes I wonder if I’m missing out.  Maybe I should find a cello teacher.  Or go back to the yoga studio and really commit to learning the practice.  Perhaps I should take a writing retreat and consciously try to improve my craft.
Or maybe, just maybe, I should simply learn how to be present in the everyday.  To take in the lessons that are all around me~lessons from my husband, my students, my children.  Maybe if I really show up for this class, the teacher might just surprise me with her lesson plan.

Jennifer Wolfe

Jennifer Wolfe, a writer-teacher-mom, is dedicated to finding the extraordinary in the ordinary moments of life by thinking deeply, loving fiercely, and teaching audaciously. Jennifer is a Google Certified Educator, Hyperdoc fanatic, and a voracious reader. Read her stories on her blog, mamawolfe, and grab free copies of her teaching and parenting resources.

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Comments: 9

  • mamawolfe

    September 24, 2011

    Hi Desiree~I completely agree. Easier said than done, sometimes!

    Reply
  • Desiree

    September 23, 2011

    Both Dee and Sandi have hit the nail on the head. It really is about paying attention to the present moment.

    Reply
  • mamawolfe

    September 18, 2011

    Thanks, Lisa…it is not always easy for me to stay present, but it usually is the right thing to do!

    Reply
  • lisa

    September 18, 2011

    I love how the idea of learning how to be present in the everyday! I spend way too much time looking to the future instead of enjoying the now. What a great reminder!

    Lisa

    Reply
  • mamawolfe

    September 17, 2011

    Hi Michael Ann~ yes, when we’re all alone in our homes we have to take some classes together…yoga, writing, and who knows what else!

    Hi Dee~ Thank you. Your words stay with me, and I appreciate the thoughts and guidance.

    Hi Sandi~ I completely agree. I don’t think I really realized how much my students can/do teach me until after I had my own children.

    Hi Jenn~ I think learning is one of the greatest joys of parenthood! Thanks for following mamawolfe!

    Reply
  • Jenn of PersonalFitCoach.com

    September 17, 2011

    I agree that we are always learning. I cannot believe how much I’ve learned since becoming a parent. I truly love learning something new every day. Thanks for sharing. I’m a new follower and participant in the Blog Hop.

    Reply
  • Sandi

    September 16, 2011

    Sometimes, the best lessons are the ones we learn when we least expect to be learning anything. As a teacher myself, I am always amazed at what I learn from the kids . . . patience while I try to explain angles to a child who barely speaks English, kindness when someone pushes my buttons one too many times. We’re always learning, as long as we’re paying attention!

    Reply
  • Dee

    September 16, 2011

    Seems to me that in your last paragraph you came to a Buddhist realization that being mindful, living within the moment, being present to the person before you, being present to your own dreams and thoughts and emotions and senses is the way to learn. Learning then comes from within.

    Please do, Jen, consider getting rid of the world “should.” It can do you in. Consider what brings you peace.

    Reply
  • Michael Ann

    September 16, 2011

    The school of life is the best one 🙂 I’m like you though, don’t like to sign up for class after class. For us busy mothers, it just feels like one more thing to do. There will be time for that later! Although I wouldn’t mind taking a writing class too…. She Writes has some good online ones starting up! Just a thought. 🙂

    Reply
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