My Child My Student: Recent Episodes
Howard Bowersox
The purpose of this podcast is to begin the formation of a movement toward a "culture of learning for life", which will, hopefully, blossom into a nationwide movement. Initially my focus will be on developing a following of visionary parents who strongly desire to have their child or children, who may already be in school grades K-12, not only achieve good grades in school, but be enthusiastic, even passionate, learners all the time and continue that enthusiasm throughout their life. As a personal development leader and coach for over 40 years, my recent experiences as a long term substitute teacher in a charter school teaching a variety of subjects for grades 7-12 have led me to realize that the vast majority of students come to school with the expectation that teachers will teach them about a variety of subjects. They are there to be “taught”, where the burden is on the teacher, rather than to "learn" where the burden is on them. It may seem a subtle difference, but there is a chasm between being in class to be taught by a teacher and being there to learn from a teacher. Those who come to learn, will continue to learn after we part; those who come to be taught cease to learn further when the teacher is no longer present. My role is to be a catalyst and coach that inspires and facilitates the development of a “Culture of Learning for Life” in each family by bringing together the parent and child in a spirit of learning. With this culture surrounding the child at home he or she will become a true “student” who seeks to learn, not to merely be taught to get a grade on a test and subsequently forget what was taught at school. My target audience, Visionary parents, who have dreams about their child’s future success. Most do not perceive the impact of their role in developing the “student” in their child. Parents should be sending their student to school to learn, not to be taught, because learning lasts, being taught results in fleeting knowledge. The process begins with the parent, who is willing to change and learn, becoming a learner for life and modeling that for the child. Children learn most from the adults in the household and will emulate their actions. What better action to model for your child than that of being a learner for life.
As a parent, you are a leader, whether you realize it or not. In this episode, through three stories, we explore concepts of leadership and developing leadership. Perhaps you will relate to the messages in each, or even see yourself or situations in your life that have impacted you on your journey. Do you see yourself or your family in any of these stories? Do you like what you see? Are you ready for a change?
There is more to "Why" than merely a question. It is true that most often parents consider "Why?" a annoying question, probably because they hear it so often. But, consider the reason. It is through questions that we humans learn, especially children, who, understandably, are on the steepest learning curve. It is how you, the parent respond to the question "Why?" that is critical to learning, both for the child and the parent.
There is more to why than that simple question. We begin an exploration of your "Why" in this episode.
Every thought has potential power, potential to change your world. Only you can provide the key to unleashing that power with the manner in which you use and embellish the thought. Listen to my experience of the power of a thought. Reflect on your experiences to learn how your thoughts solved your problems and changed your life.
Contact for input and questions: howard@cultureoflearning.life
A thought is the starting point of any journey. When thought progresses to a dream and with emotion attached, a desire, the stage is set for the thought to be materialized. Then it is just a matter of time. It will become reality.
Contact for input and questions: howard@cultureoflearning.life
Self Talk and Affirmations are important tools for programming your subconscious mind. Filtering and controlling input from others is equally important. This episode discusses controlling the environment around your subconscious to allow only positive input. It is time for you to take control of your life and your future.
Contact for input and questions: howard@cultureoflearning.life
In order to become better at anything it is critical that you always do your best. This does not mean that you do everything perfectly, just your best, however imperfect that may be; do your best. And the next time you do better. Doing is a physical activity and requires action.
Your child is always watching. Do you always do your best?
Contact for input and questions: howard@cultureoflearning.life
Listen to this lesson that a high school varsity volleyball player related to her classmates. What lesson do you take from this to help your child become a learner for life.
Contact for input and questions: howard@cultureoflearning.life
Sometimes in order to complete your mission, achieve your dream, you have to change first. Understand what I learned today. It shocked me!
Contact for input and questions: howard@cultureoflearning.life
Today we take our action steps by repeating our affirmation aloud and sharing what we learned with everyone who will listen. I am a teacher.
Contact for input and questions: howard@cultureoflearning.life
Today we explore our basic strategy passed down to us from Giants of the past that shaped our world. I share proof from my past that this strategy is effective. Learn to take action steps that you will incorporate into your everyday activities that will help you become your child's most important and effective teacher....and more.
Contact for input and questions: howard@cultureoflearning.life
Often, as we face new and unfamiliar challenges, we tell ourselves lies about exterior forces that will prevent us from overcoming the challenge. These insidious, life stealing lies will steal your future if you believe them.
Successful people have learned not to hear the lies and face their challenges with confidence. They determine what their future is to be and press on to victory. over negative.
Contact for input and questions: howard@cultureoflearning.life
As a parent, you are your child's most important and influential teacher. Hopefully, you will have influence for many years, even to, later, teach your grand children and great grand children, lessons only you can share from your experience acquired over your years of learning.
Now, while you child is in grades K-12, their developmental years, is the time to focus on helping them to "learn how to learn". This is your role, your responsibility.
Are you "doing your best"?
Join our community and learn better how to influence your child and take action to do so. In this way you will learn so that you can "do your best" and live your life with no regrets.
Contact for input and questions: howard@cultureoflearning.life
We have all had that experience in life when we embark on a path to accomplish something we thought was similar to something we had done before and, suddenly, an unfamiliar challenge we failed to anticipate brings us to an abrupt halt.
What do we do now?
So many times too many people quit. They give up saying "I guess I wasn't meant to accomplish that".
Successful people go to their mentor, a friend who has overcome challenges similar to the challenge before them right now. They get personal help. And they move on to overcome their challenge and succeed.
Listen to this episode and know that the Culture of Learning community will include a mentor for you as you face your challenges in helping your child become a learner for life.
Contact for input and questions: howard@cultureoflearning.life
Sometimes achieving your dream seems to be a Mission Impossible. Where do I start? What do I do first? What strategy can I use? Can I get some help along the way or even just to start?
These are all legitimate questions that you should ask yourself. Unfortunately, for most of us, they become rhetorical questions for which we do not expect answers. We do not take action.
If you have a dream that your child becomes a better student and learns to love to learn, join our movement. Ask those questions, but expect and search for an answer. You will find it. We will help. Your answers are out there.
Let us help you find and implement the answers to your questions.
Your child's future depends on your action.
Contact for input and questions: howard@cultureoflearning.life
This episode reveals the importance of community to help you progress toward your dream. Your supporters in the community, who may be on their own journey but with similar values and diverse experience, will voluntarily support you in your time of challenge. Your community also will provide you an opportunity to help others by sharing your experience and talents to help them in their time a challenge, whatever that may be.
Your community, some times referred to as a tribe, will inspire you as you inspire them to greater achievement.
Contact for input and questions: howard@cultureoflearning.life
Do you wish your child was a better student, an enthusiastic learner at school? Is you child already an enthusiastic learner getting good grades and you wish to help them become even more passionate about learning? This is my mission. To help you make your wishes come true for your child.
Learn of my journey and my inspiration to, hopefully, create a movement toward a "Culture of Learning for Life" encompassing your family and the nation. See the need from my perspective as a teacher. Learn the difference between being taught and learning and how you, a visionary parent, are the critical component to the creation of that culture of learning in your family. Future episodes will reveal principals behind the process of creating that culture and action steps you can take to create it for your child.
This will be our journey together and this is the starting point. As we journey, your input will be critical, so that, together, we create a community of visionary parents, supporting each other in our movement. This is not only important to your family, but to our nation. Let's talk.
Contact for input and questions: howard@cultureoflearning.life