I went to the K12 Online Conference.com and watched a session on Engaging our Youngest Minds by Angela Maiers, under the track Kicking it Up a Notch from the 2009 conference.

Her session focused on how the following quote (by Hegel, Philosophy of History 1832) related to education:

Nothing great in the world

has been accomplished

without

PASSION.

She spoke of a little girl name Hailey that was in preschool, who had a passion for saving animals. She told the audience what Hailey had done to address the issue she was so passionate about. The biggest questions were how are teachers schools going to foster a passion for learning?

My first thought was about a friend of mine. Her daughter was in kindergarten. When I asked how she was doing and how she liked it. She stated her daughter liked school but was very bored in class because she was at a 1 -2 grade reading level. She didn't feel like the teacher had engaged her daughter's learning capabilities. Looking back on that conversation now, and watching this video session a few ideas came to mind.

My friend could have discussed her daughter's passion for reading, and what types of books she had the most interest in. If I was the students teacher there are several things I could do to nuture this passion, but first and foremost I would talk to the student about her passion for reading and discuss her interests with her. I would talk to her about some reading programs at the library and/or projects she could do. I would have her parents involved whether, in person or through various modes of technology, so that we can formulate a plan for this student that challenges her and engages her in a higher level of reading, while encouraging her passion for reading.

As teachers we must teach a specific curriculm, however as educators we need to also find how to "WOW" our students on subject matter. Students develop passions for sciences, math, reading, etc. We need to reach out, set high standards, integrate different learning modes and methods, teach students how to use resources and technology to support their interests and passions.

Kids today need to have a PASSION for learning, and we as future teachers need to instill PASSION in our future students.