The Love of Learning

As a newly retired teacher, my fuel and love of learning has accelerated! It makes be wonder if our methods of "education" are learner killers. My first response is, at least to a certain degree, yes. We have all gone to school for a certain level of education. I believe degrees are important. Hey, they can increase your pay level! That, in itself, is enough reason to pursue a higher degree. But, in order to learn a subject properly, I believe there must be some type of motivation other than money. As younger people, we often need that extrinsic motivation. Whether that may be our parents pushing us, or teachers encouraging us, or the reward of passing to the next grade or making the Honor Roll.

If we are to love learning, "education" must not hinder this love. I believe this love of learning is a part of being a satisfied person, and for the Christian, one of the ways we love the Lord with all our mind. (Thanks, M. Batterson, for helping me to see that.) How does education hinder learning?

A few of the ways I have experienced this turn off include:
1. Too much homework
2. Teachers misusing their authorities
3. Teachers/professors not preparing me for tests. (Or items showing up on tests that are not in the textbook or taught during class)
4. Being bored out of my mind
5. Being treated like a number (i.e.. we need you to pass this State test---because we want our numbers to look good)
6. "Covering" a vast amount of material, instead of teaching it.
***You may have items to add or your own list.***

I was a straight A student (except 2 B's) each grade through my 8th grade year. Much of my motivation was from my daddy demanding that I did well. However, I liked making high grades. It was an ego stroke for sure. In the sixth grade, I began to HATE school! One of the main reasons was having 3 hours of homework to do. I would complete it prior to going outside to play. And, we all know kids need to go outside and play! The other reason were times when teachers would misuse their authority. Maybe the test was unfair, including items that we were told would not be on the test. Sometimes, the teacher flat-out lied to the class! Plus, adding insult to our intelligence that she/he didn't think we knew they were lying.

Something happened during my eighth grade school year that changed my life. My daddy had a heart-attack. He didn't die, but he did change. Pre-heart attack, besides good grades, he also required me to have short hair. With my present slick head, it is hilarious to think about my desire to allow my hair to grow, but it was a big issue going back to first grade! Well, after Daddy had his heart-attack, he no longer said a word about my grades or hair! Both of them dropped!! I hate that I was a terrible student in high school, but "education" killed my desire to learn. As a matter of fact, I was NOT going to college. However, I had a part-time high school job at Sea Island Cotton Gin. I really liked my job, but realized how hard I would have to work without a college degree. So, I went to school and received a BBA in Business Adm. from Georgia Southern. After working a few months, I went back to school to be a teacher! This was one of the most ironic twists of my life. Mr. School Hater would now be a teacher. I also received my Masters in Middle Grades. It was a great deal of school for a hater.

On the other side of the desk, as a teacher, I remembered the reasons I hated school. While, I could not stop negative feelings from all my students, I could be fair and not give an enormous amount of homework. Those were two of the staples of my teaching career. The other important aspect was to try to have fun as we learned. Honestly, this was not always possible.

In conclusion, I hope I didn't allow "education" to kill my students love of learning. Now that I am a retiree, I have found my love of learning again! It helps me come alive in new ways! Praise God!!!