Inspiration of the Day: Entry #6

This quote by Oliver Wendell Holmes is one that I like using in the workshops that I lead. I am always on the lookout for great ideas to help stimulate my own thinking. As Austin Kleon says in his books Steal Like an Artist and Show Your Work, there is good theft and bad theft. Simply taking an idea from someone else and spitting it back out does no good for the person the idea was taken from or for the person who took the idea. It certainly doesn't help to build upon our own creative genius.

True growth is taking the ideas from the world around us and transforming the ideas into something better. Challenging ourselves to be as creative as possible by reflecting on our own teaching and learning space as educators. When we take an idea from someone else, we must re-create, modify, tweak, twist, or refine it to best suit what it is we are trying to accomplish at that particular moment. 

I read as many blogs and books as I can and am overwhelmed by all of the greatness out there. There is no possible way I can use it all, but those ideas that truly resonate with me always get the wheels of creativity spinning in my own head. I use these ideas to carve out my own teaching trail. This trail is always changing and morphing into something different as I go. I love the journey and wouldn't have it any other way. Sharing as much of my own teaching and learning journey as possible is about putting my own ideas out there for others to use. When I give, I always receive in return and for this I am forever grateful. 

Regardless of what you read, how do the ideas that resonate with you change who you are as an educator? How do these ideas help you carve our your own teaching trail? Would love to hear from you regarding this topic!