Twice a child

School days are happy days. This is an expression I came across during the earlier years of my educational journey. My earliest recollection of school as an infant were pleasant times. Going into a new environment, seeing and hearing other infants and learning new things at that stage was a good experience.

Growing up would begin, however, to dull the shine on this pristine learning experience. Moving up from kindergarten to the elementary years was a challenging transition. Education would move from the simpler styles of singing and playing and napping to the more rigorous disciplines of reading and memorization and writing. Things would only get worse as the development of social skills were added to the mix. Significant success would eventually come for me, at the end of what was then called primary school. I was successful in passing the examination that would place me in a secondary school of my choice.

The education system at the secondary level, for me, in retrospect, would move beyond mere academics to include elements of the socialization process. I began to develop an awareness of social norms and values that were peculiar to the culture, family, school and society in which I lived. It was a good system. I learned about timeliness, and order; I understood the importance of accuracy. Science with its methods of observation and testing opened a new world of Chemistry and Biology. I learned the importance of history; I studied the lifestyles of peoples from different cultures in faraway places. The physical geography of the continents was a source of constant fascination. Mountains and oceans and other-worldly things such as planets and moons and galaxies only added to the excitement of learning.  The educational system had served me well up to this point, indeed these school days were happy days.

Life beyond high school would become a whole new reality. The educational system was crowded. Post-secondary education was a luxury at that time. Not only were there limited opportunities in the institutions of higher learning but the cost in most cases was prohibitive. Life would go on for me without the benefit of a college degree. I was able to find employment in the then expanding telecommunication industry. This led to yet another system of education: work study or on-the-job-training as it was sometimes called. I had by this time acquired the main skill that would allow me to become the proverbial lifelong learner. I had developed a love of reading.

Across the years I have taken many opportunities to stay 'connected' to the education system through the use of books and seminars and video as well as audio presentations. I have volunteered to mentor and instruct students in various subjects and as such I have not just been a taker but a giver – a comprehensive participant- in the educational process.

As I return to school, I stop to evaluate the present educational 'landscape'. I look at the market place and the labor force. I cannot be naïve. I must accept that new skillsets will be necessary to participate in the "brave new world" of rapidly advancing technologies and ever increasing innovation. To traverse this complex jungle I must be adequately equipped. The competition will be significantly more challenging than at previous stages. The excitement for me is the array of options now available for self-development. Never before have there been so many ways to quench the thirst for knowledge. The keys to my success will be the ability to remain focused and disciplined. The experiences of the years will have taught me to set manageable goals and keep a reasonable schedule. I must no longer heed the temptation to stay in the 'fast lane' or to 'shoot for the stars'. I must be realistic in my endeavors with a sustainable plan always in mind.

At this stage of my educational journey I will achieve training in academic disciplines that will give me the marketable skills and prepare me to work in a wide range of positions in private and public educational and human service agencies.

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