Before enrolling in the Master of Arts in Education (MAED) program at Michigan State University, I figured that once I had my Master’s degree, my learning would essentially be complete. Now, at the end of the program, I have realized that, although I will not be in a classroom setting or have graded assignments, I will always be a learner.
One course that significantly influenced my view of lifelong learning was EAD 860. Through this course, I came to view the idea of an endpoint in learning absurd, and that if an end in learning did actually occur, it would be a shame. During this course, we were asked to reflect on many of our own personal experiences with learning. These reflections facilitated my change of attitude toward learning. If EAD 860 taught me anything, it was that learning is inevitable. I am constantly learning each day, formally and informally, passively and actively. That will never change. Even as I complete this program and begin my career as a coach at the University of Delaware, my learning has only just begun.
One course that significantly influenced my view of lifelong learning was EAD 860. Through this course, I came to view the idea of an endpoint in learning absurd, and that if an end in learning did actually occur, it would be a shame. During this course, we were asked to reflect on many of our own personal experiences with learning. These reflections facilitated my change of attitude toward learning. If EAD 860 taught me anything, it was that learning is inevitable. I am constantly learning each day, formally and informally, passively and actively. That will never change. Even as I complete this program and begin my career as a coach at the University of Delaware, my learning has only just begun.
Despite being young in my learning journey, I will now have the opportunity to apply my cumulative knowledge. The information that I have taken away from formal education, including the MAED program, my bachelor’s degree, and high school on down, as well as my learning experiences through coaching, will now be put to the test. From day one at Delaware, I began to learn about my athletes, the staff I work with, the rules and regulations that I have, and my new surrounding area. I will be applying the information I learned from my kinesiology courses and translating this information to action with each one of my athletes. This program helped me realize that each person is a little different and that utilizing various strategies takes trial and error to achieve the best outcome. Thus, in the present and near future, I want to invest in learning about each athlete and ways I can help them become the best runner possible.
Each season is filled with new surprises, both good and bad. In the long-term outlook as a coach, I will need to learn from every surprise or challenge along the way. I have been fortunate enough to have coached under veteran coaches and found out that even they, who have been coaching for over 30 years, were still learning about new techniques and methods to overcome challenges. They were never ones to shy away; rather, they embraced each challenge or surprise and grew based on what they learned to expand their own coaching philosophy. If I have taken anything away from these highly experienced coaches, it is that flexibility is crucial and continually learning is necessary.
|
In addition to learning from experience, I will also have to seek out more formal learning opportunities and complete certificate programs that are offered to coaches at every level. Having already received my United States Track and Field (USATF) Level One coaching certification, my goal is to receive my USATF Level Two coaching certificate by next year. The Level Two certification is much more rigorous and event-specific compared to the Level One certification. Level Two also requires a certain level of coaching experience to obtain, whereas anyone can obtain Level One certification. From there, I would like to continue and complete the Level Three certification program, the highest level offered by USATF. Once I complete the Level Three program, I would be able to teach the USATF certification courses. Level Three is the most rigorous and I want to have it completed in the next five years. During the time between the Level Two and Level Three courses, I plan on completing the two available United States Track and Field/Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) certificate programs. These four certification programs provide formal professional development opportunities that will support my informal learning opportunities through coaching.
While formal learning will likely come to a conclusion at some point down the road, I will never stop learning, questioning, or thinking about ways to better equip myself with knowledge to support my athletes. Each team is different and each season may bring something new that I can learn from or about. Much like I stated earlier, learning is inevitable. I need to embrace lifelong learning, and like the coaches that mentored me, I need to learn from everything I see or do, and make room for changes and additions to my coaching philosophy. Learning is a process, not a destination. The road does not stop here; I will always be learning along the way.