During church this week, we talked about the true meaning of the church in the Bible. The discussion led us to Acts 18, where we read about a man named Apollos (Acts 18:24–28). Apollos was a Jewish man who was well-educated and knew the scriptures inside and out. He was also a great speaker who went around preaching about Jesus. He was doing it right and with passion, but Priscilla and Aquila took him aside and explained God’s way to him more fully.
What stood out to me most was that Apollos didn’t let pride get in the way. He didn’t say, “I already know this.” Instead, he was open to learning more. Even though he was already educated and teaching others, he still made time to grow. That kind of humility, to keep learning even when you already know a lot, is what makes someone truly wise.
That got me thinking about a phrase I used to hear all the time in college: be a lifelong learner. I’m pretty sure I even wrote that in my first cover letter and probably said it in my first interview. At Franklin College, they reminded us over and over that as teachers, we have to keep learning. Education is always changing. Teaching is never something you completely “finish” learning how to do.
I’ve always enjoyed learning new things. I don’t read as much as I’d like to, but when I do, I really enjoy it. I like listening to podcasts too, especially the ones that make me think differently about leadership or education. Maybe that’s why I’ve found myself back in college a few times. I’m always trying to get better, whether it’s as a principal, a dad or just as a person.
That’s the lesson from Apollos: no matter how much we know, there’s always more to learn.
We get to live that out this week during our instructional rounds. You shared what you want to learn more about, and we’ve arranged opportunities for you to visit other classrooms and see your colleagues in action. I truly believe one of the best ways to grow as a teacher is by observing other teachers. There are amazing things happening in classrooms all across ICES, and I’m excited for you to see that firsthand.
I hope you gain something valuable from your visits. It could be a new idea, strategy, or approach to try out. And maybe, like Apollos, we’ll all keep learning as we go.
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“It is what you learn after you know it all that counts.” ~ John Wooden
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi
“Wisdom is not a product of schooling but of the lifelong attempt to acquire it.” ~ Albert Einstein
“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.” ~ Henry Ford
Explore. Dream. Discover. 