When I started my blog almost 2 years ago, I struggled with coming up with a name for it. It took me a couple of weeks to finally decide my blog should be titled, “It’s All About Learning”. For me, it IS all about learning. Everything I do has something to do with learning something: when I take photos, I am learning new things all the time. As a parent, I learn new things about each of my children and about me as a parent each and every day, without fail. As a wife of almost 20 years, I learn things daily about my husband and our relationship (yes, even after that long). As a teacher, I learn new things about my students each day. I learn new ways of effectively working with individual students. What works one day, may not work another day. I continue to learn about the importance of flexibility as an educator. As a leader, I learn about our staff and myself each and every day. Some of these lessons are easy and quick to learn, while other lessons are slow and very difficult. Most importantly, I am continuously learning about the importance of understanding, listening, being patient, taking time, and focusing on what is important.
I have always focused on learning. I love to learn. If you aren’t learning, then you aren’t living! But, as I continue to learn about myself as a parent, a wife, a teacher, and a leader, I have come to realize that it isn’t just all about learning after all. In fact, it is all about SHARING!
What do we learn from sharing, you ask?
When others share, we learn . . .
- about the inspiring things others are doing in their classes and schools.
- new ways to do things we may not have thought of otherwise.
- the importance of connecting with others.
- about people and the importance building relationships with others.
- that others struggle the same way we do.
- about the generosity of others.
- how to support others, while still pushing their thinking.
- we are not alone.
When we share, we learn . . .
- that we have things to offer.
- there are others we can relate to out there.
- how to reflect and the importance and power of reflecting.
- how to organize our thoughts.
- to push ourselves.
- to provide ourselves the opportunity to connect with others.
- about the importance of collaborating.
- the power of collaboration.
- the importance and value of descriptive feedback.
- about ourselves as educators and people.
- about the importance of taking risks.
- that we can do it! We gain ideas, but we also gain confidence in trying new things!
- we are not alone.
- It’s much more powerful to learn together.
I can’t imagine not being inspired and pushed by so many amazing educators around me – both in person and online – local and global. While, at times, it can be somewhat overwhelming, okay, VERY overwhelming, to always be learning new things, it is also extremely rewarding and invigorating.
I gain my enthusiasm, my energy, and my passion from learning from others – in my school, my district, from my PLN, and from people around the world.
I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Now, how do we get others to realize the importance of sharing what they are doing in their classrooms? We have so many incredible educators in our district, province, and around the world! Just imagine what it would be like if everyone celebrated and shared all the wonderful things they were doing in their classrooms and schools!
I want to learn from you! And so do others!
Please share!
It's All About Learning 
Thanks for sharing Tia. I look forward to reading your posts! I have learned so much from my PLN and been inspired to try new methods! Even inspired to let go of things that I don’t believe in. You are right, sharing is confidence building!
Thanks for stopping by to read and comment, Lora.
Sharing is just so important! I have always been a very big proponent of collaborating with colleagues (especially grade level colleagues), but this is different. In today’s world, with everything at our fingertips, we can connect with so many people all around the world. Those connections can be so powerful.
Now, the challenging part is trying to have others realize how beneficial it really is (without them thinking that you are just crazy for being on Twitter – it’s so much more than Twitter!).
Any ideas?
We learn when others share with us. As a teacher I enjoy sharing what I have learned with my students. I get excited when they take what they have learned and use it at home, sharing with their families! It’s all one big circle that goes around. I learn from you. You learn from me.
I had my first incredible plc experience when I attended a National Writing Project class in the 1980’s. Teachers were sharing strategies that had worked in their classrooms. Teachers were sharing their excitement for teaching writing. In the last several years I’ve been part of an online plc and it is so wonderful precisely because everyone shares. We share our successes and we share our challenges. We are supported by each other, and even the most difficult problems don’t seem so bad when you realize there are a variety of ways one might approach the problem. Ways you might not have considered if your fellow teaching professionals hadn’t been there to share.
Thanks for this post!
Thanks for responding!
Collaborating with colleagues (near and far) is such an amazing experience. You are right about the support. We are more likely and more willing to take risks when we know we are supported. This support doesn’t only have to come from within our own schools. We are more likely to push ourselves further out of our comfort zones with the support (and ideas) from others.
Thanks for taking the time to read and comment,
Happy Collaborating!
Tia
I enjoy your blog Tia, I don’t always take a moment to comment but I’m making an effort to do better at that. Sharing and learning, they go together, don’t they?
Keep up the great work
Ron
Hi Ron,
I know what you mean about commenting on people’s blogs. I need to comment on more blogs as well. I just love what others have to say and the things they share. It is so important!
Thanks for reading and commenting, Ron,
Tia
This is a really important message Tia – the connection between the learning and the sharing. When I do a gratitude circle with my students and we all pass the stone and share, we remind reluctant students that not only will they feel better to express what they are grateful for but it is a gift to share with others. My seven and eight year olds get it – sharing means others can learn and grow. Sharing is a gift to others and ourselves – so important for all of us to remember this.
Hi Carrie,
I love that you do a gratitude circle with your students. So very sweet, but more importantly, such a powerful experience and lesson for them to learn at such a young age. Yes, sharing is a gift to others and ourselves! I couldn’t agree more!
Thanks!
Tia