Mary Lacen Kinkel

Longwood University Summer Literacy Institute

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      After attending the 2014 Summer Literacy Institute at Longwood University, there is one touching statement that has stayed prevalent within my mind. Author and illustrator, Henry Cole, expressed the importance for educators to, “be the teacher that makes being a student worthwhile.” Many institute authors, keynote speakers, and presenters shared how their former teachers have served as meaningful inspirations throughout both their lives and professional work. As a future educator, I aspire to do just that. I want to inspire my students to reach for the stars, and instill the objective of never giving up.
 
      Through attending the Summer Literacy Institute, I have developed a deeper meaning of and appreciation for inquiry-based learning. Inquiry-based learning is the learning process driven by questions regarding the personal interests, curiosities, concerns, perspectives, and prior experiences of students. This process is something that will greatly benefit my future students, in order for them to become lifelong and successful learners in today’s society. It allows students to collaborate with one another, ask questions, create questions, investigate, create, and explore endless opportunities for learning.