2. Messages in Education and in Life Organized by Joe Naumann UMSL: Geography

3. We Begin Getting Messages at Birth Some messages are received at a subconscious level Some messages are openly, and sometimes forcefully, delivered Most people have been affected by at least one of the following negative messages to some degree or other

9. Giving too much credence to the previous messages can predispose one to accept the sixth message! Beware of its power to stifle creativity, initiative, life...

11. I Don’t Believe One Has to Accept These Messages My philosophy of education is based on that belief. The following are some of the basic thoughts I have about education - my credo:

12. I believe that all people are intelligent I believe that intelligence shows itself in many ways. I believe that every person can learn. I believe everyone can increase his/her ability to learn

13. I believe organizing skills increase learning efficiency. I believe efficient learning strategies produce more learning with less time and effort. I believe each learner must be responsible for his/her learning and growth.

14. I believe a learner's 1st task is to learn how to learn more efficiently I believe a learner must discover which strategies work best for him/her I believe that a learner who believes that he/she can learn is more likely to learn.

15. I believe the amount of effort invested in study and attending class usually is proportional to the level of success achieved. I believe the keys to success in learning are: 1. Learn to learn efficiently! 2. Think you can! 3. Work hard!

16. My Favorite Quote: "Life is the energy that organizes matter into self-portraits." Everything one does contributes to the self-portrait (character) one is constructing of himself/herself. Every method one uses to accomplish one’s goals also contributes to the self-portrait one is constructing. In school, it may be by one’s attitude toward school work, one’s punctuality and attendance, and by the quantity and quality of work one produces for the classes. One’s self portrait is the result of the choices one makes in life.

17. Another Quote: The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes. -- Marcel Proust One’s attitude or perspective encourages or inhibits learning and growth. The positive attitude which flows from keeping an open mind which was expressed by Marcel Proust is one that encourages growth and retards boredom. This is the kind of attitude that helps a geographer recognize significant patterns and connections in the world around him/her.

18. What one believes about one’s self is very powerful. Keep the following in mind …. Believe it about yourself because it ‘s true!

19. I’m Special I'm Special... In all the world There's nobody like me Nobody has my smile Nobody has my eyes, nose, hair or voice.

20. I'm Special... No one laughs like me Or cries like me No one sees things just as I do No one reacts just as I would react

21. I'm Special... I'm the only one in all creation Who has my set of abilities My unique combination of gifts, talents and abilities are an original symphony. I’m a SYMPHONY!

22. I'm Special... I'm rare And in all rarity there is great value I need not imitate others I will accept - yes, celebrate - my differences

23. I'm Special... And I'm beginning to see that I was made special For a very special purpose There is a job for me That no one else can do as well as I do it Out of all the applicants only one is qualified And, that one is ME! Because...