Another way to be a lifelong learner is to invest in yourself and your craft. I just spent 4 hours in Barnes and Noble to going through many teaching books. There is a wealth of information out there that can guide you through just about anything. Take advantage of it. Build a professional library.
Just because you teach does not mean you stop learning or stop seeking ways to improve your craft. Several people can look at the same situation and come away with a different perspective. Those different perspectives can cause you to see a bigger picture of what is happening in your world. We need to learn strategies and techniques from one another.
I encourage you to find books, website, magazines, and research that go in-depth about topics concerning your craft. It benefits you, those you teach, and those that teach in your district. Have you ever learned something new and could not wait to share that strategy with your coworkers or try it out right away? What YOU learn has an impact on how you teach.
Invest time in yourself. Take a "timeout" and add bricks to your own house by increasing your knowledge and perspective.
Invest money in yourself. These enlightening "timeouts" may cost, so focus on what yields the most benefit. Investing your time and money in yourself will help you now and later by making you a more productive member of your staff.
