My future as a learner is actually something I have been thinking about recently. I was joking with some friends a few weeks ago that I won't know what to do with myself when I'm not taking courses and working toward my Master's. However, I do encourage my students to be lifelong learners and I can't really set an example for them if I remain stagnant after completing this milestone.

 

I enjoy learning. I always have. The field of teaching is always evolving and if you don't evolve with it, you're going to get left behind. I have been out of an elementary classroom for nearly two and a half years. If it weren't for taking classes toward my Master's, I would feel ill equipped when the time comes for me to step back into a classroom.

 

I am a special education teacher. I am certified to teach students with emotional impairments. The way my undergrad was set up, I have taken classes that have me closer to being certified to teach students with learning disabilities. I don't know if those courses are still good or if they would count toward anything, but I am interested in finding out. I know that having a wide range of skills and certifications will only help me in the job market.

 

Professional development plays an integral part in the life of a teacher. I am looking forward to the opportunity to attend trainings and seminars when I am back in the regular classroom. I always end up learning something that I can immediately apply to my teaching and I like that. I like to do trainings and classes that are immediately useful.

 

I was recently discussing this essay with my husband and he asked if I wanted to get my Doctorate. I'm not sure. I think it would be really cool to be referred to as "Dr. Brown", but I'm not sure if that high of an education is right for me. I will have to do some research and see if there is an online program for that as well. I don't know how long a Doctorate takes and if it is something I want to pursue, doing it online may be the easiest as we continue to live a somewhat nomadic military lifestyle. Although, my husband also has plans for law school, so if we remain in one place for several years without having to move until we are ready, I may decide to pursue such a degree out of convenience. It would also help me should I want to become an administrator although most positions at the school level only require a Master's.

 

At this point in time, my family is also considering a move to Europe after this military thing is over. I think that would provide me with several unique educational opportunities. Teaching in a school in another country is a grand learning experience. I've already done it once. You get insight into another education system. You learn skills from their way of teaching that may be used to compliment your own style. You meet an entirely different set of people with different beliefs about education, but with the same mission: to give a quality education to every student who crosses their classroom threshold. If I do find myself in Europe, I would most definitely consider pursuing another degree just to have the experience and perspective of attending a university in another country.

 

I have also given some consideration to how I will keep up with the ever changing technologies. I am hoping that as I enter the classroom again, my current skills will be enough. However, I really enjoy integrating technology into my teaching. I may seek out some form of continuing education technology course once a year to see if there is anything else out there that I should know about and could utilize. I may just need to learn about new technologies on my own though as a yearly course could get expensive. I recall that there may be a magazine or journal geared toward educational technology. That may be easier to manage and more cost effective.

 

Learning is continuous. Like a circle with no end. I don't anticipate my yen for knowledge to stop any time soon. To me, learning is growing and once you stop growing there really isn't a point to living.