I believe that education is far more than what we receive in school. One learns with every experience and grows from the exposure. School has taught me how to learn about various subjects in different ways. It has also provided me the structure and people to help develop and discuss positions which has strengthened my ability to understand complex ideas. My Masters in Education program at MSU has provided me the avenue to grow in my specialized interest of education. Moving forward I want to transform my newly acquired knowledge and abilities into action. It is a beautiful thing to be knowledgeable, but if you do nothing with the information, what is the use of having it to begin with. The program has not only exposed me to topics that have enriched my life but the avenues and tactics to share that information to others.

 

Education itself is transformative. To understand how mechanisms work can change one’s view of everything around them. The information that I have acquired has provided me with the background to understand systems of inequality, privilege, power and societal norms which has been a truly mind boggling experience. Understanding these aspects of life has allowed me to analyze and navigate situations in a different manner. My first goal is to continue to stay attuned to topics of inequality and how they can be combated through both informal and formal education. As we see various movements before our eyes to give people equal rights in various sectors, we can inform ourselves on how we can each do our part in changing society and strengthening our own causes.

 

My second goal that I will carry on is to share information acquired that can be life changing. Through this online program I have learned how technological platforms can be used to share ideas. I have taken a number of classes that have required me to blog about my thoughts. As an avid user of social media I have taken the premise of blogging for class into sharing my thoughts and ideas of issues, current events and concepts to friends on virtual platforms. Social media serves as an informal avenue to spread knowledge and expose individuals to topics that I have been exposed to. By sharing this information we can create communities that will give us the ability to discuss ideas and further develop as individuals, replicating the online learning process that I have experienced in this program.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My third and final goal is to serve as an example and mentor to youth of color. As I mentioned before, it is not enough to gain knowledge just for the sake of having it. Additionally, as we move through the educational pipeline it is not enough to say “I did it, so can everyone else.” Research has demonstrated that students of color are more likely to succeed academically if they are exposed to individuals that reflect their experience, background and culture. Therefore as I develop as a lifelong learner both through formal education and informally, it is my duty to help others follow through the pipeline.

 

My future as a learner is that I will continue to grow in my knowledge. However, it does not stop there. As a lifelong learner my resolve is to help others learner and gain the skills that will help them navigate this world better and develop as individuals. Most importantly to help others become lifelong learners, which in the long run can help combat systems of inequality.