|
Learning for Life
By Chris Mortensen, Principal
Greenville High School
I decided to aim this specifically at the seniors, but might be worth
pondering by all. As an educator, a philosophy of education
guides every step that we take and focuses the lens of what we see as
the goals that need to be achieved daily. I believe that in life
we never stop learning and if we stop learning then we cease to
live. I often find that while we are educating our students, even
if they are unaware that they are doing it, they are teaching us
something new as well.
Ralph Waldo Emerson said it best, “Life is a succession of lessons,
which must be lived to be understood.” We rarely take time to
recognize that living is learning. Each day we face
challenges. The decisions we make from these challenges determine
what we will eventually learn from this experience. As we get
older, the understanding of what we have learned grows and comes much
quicker until the day that learning stops. As choices are made,
we form another defining line as to who we are and who we will
become. Our lives are a series of crossroads and choices that
continually lead to learning and growth.
As I continue to interact with the class of 2011, our seniors, I wonder
who each of them will ultimately become. Their future, their
struggles and lessons learned will create the men and women they will
become. I believe any of them have the potential to be exactly
what they desire to be. There will be successes and failures that
will steer them in learning and growing for the rest of their life.
In the 13 years that we have had to help guide students in learning,
shaping their individual futures, we all hope that they will each reach
their fullest potential. The wisdom that they possess as they
leave the high school is an ending of this portion of their journey of
learning, but also represents a new chapter of learning for each of
them. Where this next chapter will lead them in life can only be
determined by them.
As we all continue down our paths of learning for life, never let the
limits be set by others; and walk confidently into the unknown for even
in facing challenges it is only deemed as failure if you give up.
As educators, we have spent a large portion of your life guiding you in
using good values and morals in making wise choices. I challenge
you now, if you are ready to learn, then open your mind to the wonders
around you and make choices with passion and commitment to
success. Through this you will become all that you can be
and the heights that you reach are only limited by how high you choose
to leap.
I will leave you with the words of Martin Heidegger, “Anyone can
achieve their fullest potential. Who we are might be
predetermined, but the path we follow is always of our own
choosing. We should never allow our fears or the expectations of
others to set the frontiers of our destiny.
Our destiny can’t be changed, but it can be challenged. Every man
is born as many men and dies as a single one.” The first leg of
the journey draws near…
Wishing the class of 2011 much success in facing their learning for
Life.
|
|
|
|
