Passing the Torch – A Metaphor for life’s learning journey for Battalion Hawk Bloggers and Beyond

To see the original Battalion Hawk Bloggers post…

Passing the Torch

 

Schools and students have permission to use this graphic for non-commercial, educational purposes.

Schools and students have permission to use this graphic for non-commercial, educational purposes.

Passing the Torch… a metaphor for relinquishing to others. As Global Grade 3 passed the torch to the Battalion Hawk Bloggers, so the time has come for the Battalion Hawk Bloggers to pass the torch on to a new Grade 3.

I question, is the torch really passed on or do we carry it forward with us? Rather than passing on our torch do we share the light with the new so their torches grow brighter and in the process kindle ours and prepare it to grow brighter still as we continue our learning journey?

Searching for the words of others to reinforce my questions, I found this quote attributed to Buddha…

“Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the single candle will not be shortened.”

Schools and students have permission to use this graphic for non-commercial, educational purposes.

Schools and students have permission to use this graphic for non-commercial, educational purposes.

Learning has little value unless it is shared with others. We can all share the light we carry without diminishing it.

For the teacher, the words of Henry Adams ring true…

A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.”

Henry Adams, The Education of Henry Adams - US author, autobiographer, & historian (1838 - 1918)

The teacher kindles the torches of many during a career and in the process their own torch grows brighter. It’s the interaction with students that fuels their fire and thirst for learning and sharing. A little of themself is passed on to future generations in the process.

Schools and students have permission to use this graphic for non-commercial, educational purposes.

This graphic should not be used without written permission from me.

Henry Ford once said…

“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.”

These words ring true in my experience as a retired teacher. I sought ways of being involved by writing for the young and sharing as a volunteer working with children but my torch has grown all the more brighter for the interactions I have shared through blogging. I have become a virtual teacher in the classrooms of many and in doing so have learned much more.

Our torch only truly grows dim when we close our minds to new knowledge and if we fail to share with others.

I found a You Tube clip sharing the words of a poem by Paula Fox. “Heart of a Teacher” shares the meaning of teaching.

You can see the text of Paula Fox’s poem here…

http://blog.simpletruths.com/heart-of-a-teacher-movie

The torch has been shared and we have all grown from the experiences kindling our own.

2 thoughts on “Passing the Torch – A Metaphor for life’s learning journey for Battalion Hawk Bloggers and Beyond

  1. Laurie Renton

    Ross … this was just simply beautiful. It brought me to tears. As if the end of the year … and saying goodbye … passing your students, who you know are VERY ready for the next grade … wasn’t hard enough!

    You are so right. It really IS about SHARING the torch … a fire has been SHARED. I LOVE that thought.

    You have been SUCH a HUGE part of our learning journey for TWO years now. I feel SO blessed to have had our paths cross. You have absolutely earned your WINGS, Ross!

    I hope that some of the Battalion Hawk Bloggers take the time to read AND reply to some of the latest comments we were unable to get to! And, I truly LOVE the way that your name came up MANY times in their hopes and dreams for NEXT year’s bloggers!

    You have made a HUGE difference in our lives. Blessed is an UNDERstatement!

    Laurie 🙂

    Reply

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