At the heart of meaningful learning lies curiosity—the innate desire to question, explore, and understand. Growing up with an insatiable appetite for knowledge, I experienced firsthand how traditional educational approaches can unintentionally stifle a learner's natural inquisitiveness.

In my childhood, my endless questions were often met with impatience. Adults around me preferred to dictate information rather than create space for discovery, inadvertently teaching me that curiosity was problematic. This experience shaped my early approach to sharing knowledge—I found myself repeating the same patterns, providing answers instead of encouraging questions.

My journey toward authentic education began when I recognized how this approach had limited my own growth. This realization transformed my professional practice and my personal relationships, including how I parent and connect with others.

Today, my educational philosophy centers on:

• Embracing open inquiry: Posing thoughtful questions that challenge assumptions and stimulate critical thinking

• Engaging multiple senses: Creating learning experiences that are immersive and multidimensional

• Honoring human connection: Recognizing that meaningful learning happens through authentic relationship and dialogue

I've discovered that when we create environments where curiosity thrives, we don't just transfer information—we transform minds and hearts. This approach fosters deeper understanding and creates profound human connections beyond any single lesson.

 

Texts, artifacts, people, places, and exploring and experiencing as much as possible are the best ways to open our minds, gain fundamental knowledge and connection, and, most importantly, LEARN!