When you begin as an educator and are shown the best practices to get students learning at a high level, there are a few things that are emphasized immediately. 1) Students need to understand why what they’re learning is important and apply it to real life. 2) Students should be self-motivated and directed to find an answer or solve a problem. 3) Students need an internal desire and purpose to pursue knowledge. Basically, if you can get your GEAR UP students to these places and then into college, you’ve succeeded and can retire someday feeling legendary, right?

Well, it turns out that those guidelines can also be helpful after the final school bell rings. This article talks about ways that learning is the same no matter what age we are. Can you remember lectures and professional development seminars in which you were expected to be interested and engaged in a long PowerPoint presentation coupled with an even longer lecture? (We definitely can.) And as great and full of information as those are, even as adults, we need more to actually absorb and internalize the content of these lectures. Just like our students, we need all three of the must-haves mentioned before.

As you read through the article, think of some ways you can collaborate with your colleagues and make continued education something that makes you the best you can be as an educator. What are ways that you can grow and, in turn, be even more equipped to serve your TXGU students? After all, summer is upon us, and it’s an ideal opportunity to invest in yourself. Whatever that means to you. Perhaps have the occasional coffee date with some inspirational and educational videos or books. Or maybe you can find some extra time to look back at the TED Talks article and go wild. Create your very own learning best practices. All in between your quality work time and pool time, of course…