As a reporter covering education (both K-12 and higher) I heard the same buzzwords over and over—“lifelong learner” being one of the most used.
No doubt, alliterations are appealing (see what I did there? Although when vowels are used, I think it’s called “assonance.” But I digress.)
So the concept of a “lifelong learner,” of course, is that educators teach students not only subject matter but also the process of learning and, I suppose, the desire to keep learning even when you’re through getting credit for it.
I told you earlier this week how creative our students are. And they don’t stop being creative when they leave.
I can’t wait to share some examples later this spring (don’t want to trump myself, you know!), but I can tell you about Allison Murphy ’04.
Murphy owns a studio in Marietta, Ga. The Marietta Daily Journal profiled her production “Mighty Bug” currently playing at the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta.
The puppet-rich production helps children learn about insect habitats and anatomy through costumed characters that interact with puppets creating a really cool theatrical experience.
Check it out:
Murphy says the show “looks like a comic book.”
How creative is that?
And it’s not a fluke. Check out this photo of her playing a kazoo-playing Patootie in “Aesop’s Fables” during a production last year…
When she’s not on stage, Murphy also gives voice and acting lessons to help others fine-tune their talents.
Maybe “lifelong learners” doesn’t quite capture what our students become during their Stephens careers that they take with them when they leave.
They’re confirmed chronic creators.
How’s that for alliteration?
What a cute little bug she is!!