To answer today’s prompt, I will make a list of the top five lessons that I will take with me from Summer Institute.

1.  Write, write, write, especially in a journal.  Why a journal?  A journal allows you to simply be a writer.  You can write down your deepest, darkest secrets or simply write a vivid description of something near and dear to your heart.  Writing should not always be focused on  grammar and mechanics, but rather the transmission of ideas, thoughts, and experiences.

2.  Share, share, share.  Once you write, share what you’ve written.  Although some may say that not all writing should be shared, I think that the more you share, the better you become at writing and the more confidence you gain as a person and a writer.   Besides, it’s fun to listen to the writings of others.

3.  Revise, revise, revise.  Revise until you can’t revise anymore.  Seek help from outside sources because everyone becomes impervious to their own writing after awhile.  The perspective of another can help strengthen your writing.

4.  Community is important.  We all belong to a community of some sort.   Sometimes it may be a  literal community, like South Point, Chesapeake, or Huntington.  Other times it may be a community of professionals or learners.  I feel like a community has formed here at MU’s Summer Institute, and I am proud to be a part of it.

5.  Never stop learning.  No matter how many degrees you have or how many years you’ve taught, you’ll never know everything.  Realizing that learning is a lifelong process will help you become a better person and professional.  Never stop learning.

These are just a few of the lessons I’ve learned while at Summer Institute.

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