Messages in Education and in Life

Organized by Joe Naumann

UMSL: Geography

We Begin Getting Messages at Birth

• Some messages are received at a subconscious level

• Some messages are openly, and sometimes forcefully, delivered

• Most people have been affected by at least one of the following negative messages to some degree or other

Giving too much credence to the previous messages can

predispose one to accept the sixth message!

Beware of its power to stifle creativity, initiative, life . . .

I Don’t Believe One Has to Accept These Messages

• My philosophy of education is based on that belief.

• The following are some of the basic thoughts I have about education - mycredo:

• I believe that all people are intelligent

• I believe that intelligence shows itself in many ways.

• I believe that every person can learn.

• I believe everyone can increase his/her ability to learn

• I believe organizing skills increase learning efficiency.

• I believe efficient learning strategies produce more learning with less timeand effort.

• I believe each learner must be responsible for his/her learning and growth.

• I believe a learner's 1st task is to learn how to learn more efficiently

• I believe a learner must discover which strategies work best for him/her

• I believe that a learner who believes that he/she can learn is more likely tolearn.

• I believe the amount of effort invested in study and attending class usually isproportional to the level of success achieved.

• I believe the keys to success in learning are:1. Learn to learn efficiently!2. Think you can!3. Work hard!

My Favorite Quote: "Life is the energy that organizes matter into

self-portraits."Everything one does contributes to the self-portrait (character) one is constructing of himself/herself. Every method one uses to accomplish one’s goals also contributes to the self-portrait one is constructing. In school, it may be by one’s attitude toward school work, one’s punctuality and attendance, and by the quantity and quality of work one produces for the classes. One’s self portrait is the result of the choices one makes in life.

Another Quote: The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new

eyes. -- Marcel ProustOne’s attitude or perspective encourages or inhibits learning and growth. The positive attitude which flows from keeping an open mind which was expressed by Marcel Proust is one that encourages growth and retards boredom. This is the kind of attitude that helps a geographer recognize significant patterns and connections in the world around him/her.

What one believes about one’s self is very powerful.

Keep the following in mind …. Believe it about yourself because

it ‘s true!

I’m Special

I'm Special...In all the worldThere's nobody like meNobody has my smileNobody has my eyes, nose, hair or voice.

I'm Special...No one laughs like meOr cries like meNo one sees things just as I doNo one reacts just as I would react

I'm Special...I'm the only one in all creationWho has my set of abilitiesMy unique combination of gifts, talents and abilities are an original symphony.

I’m a SYMPHONY!

I'm Special...I'm rareAnd in all rarity there is great valueI need not imitate othersI will accept - yes, celebrate - my differences

• I'm Special...And I'm beginning to see that I was made specialFor a very special purposeThere is a job for meThat no one else can do as well as I do itOut of all the applicants only one is qualifiedAnd, that one is ME!Because...