What Inspires Us?

This is a conversation that could go on for days! But I'll try and shorten it up!
What does inspire us? Money? Success? The love of something that costs money?
A beautiful roof over our head?
Acquiring an education that nobody can take away from you? Inspiring others?
Lifting yourself up while lifting up others?
Creating something that will live beyond you? The love of something or someone?

My mother who was a holocaust survivor used to tell me that Jewish people of her
generation valued an education for themselves and their children because the
Natzi’s took everything from them, but they could not take their mind or their
education. Obviously being raised by two holocaust survivors shaped my view of
the world. I still tell my friends even though I was born here in America my parents
were not, and their experiences changed them and changed me.
I have a beautiful quote from a teacher below...........

“In one of the early years of my teaching career, I was given a very small class in a school that provided the teachers with a great deal of autonomy. I was not only allowed to—but was highly supported in—using Project-Based Learning in the classroom. I was also blessed to have a group of students that was excited about learning and willing to try just about anything. Over the course of the year, we completed Projects based on Women’s History, for which the students made a replica of Judy Chicago’s “Dinner Party” art exhibit; one on the topic of trees which integrated a photography study, including an exhibit of the students’ work with the work of Ansel Adams as their inspiration; and finally one on restaurants for which the students designed, created, financed, and executed a full-service restaurant for the entire school over the course of the week.

The amount of engagement, critical thinking, cooperative learning, problem-solving, and learning that happened that year fueled my passion for this type of education, and was the guiding light for my work later as I founded The Emerson School, a PPS charter school that has Project Based Learning as its foundation.” – Joanna Sigmund, edTPA Coordinator, Concordia’s College of Education

In my own experiences in teaching I have found that I always learn something from the students I teach and the students I lecture at local colleges. I have never come away from being a guest speaker or teaching a class that I didn’t learn something new from my students, and a new and more significant way to teach and inspire. It is a two way experience if you are open to it.

I first started my education program because a friend told me I needed to be more
profitable and “Utilize My Real Estate” Well I thought hmm interesting Idea. I made my first class outline and taught resume writing, skill building, transferable skills,
interviewing preparation, advanced techniques in hair color correction, color placement techniques, advanced cutting, business strategies, and more. All the students leave with a higher education certification from my education program.
Something surprising happened. The students that I had, left with a much higher self
esteem and felt that they had greater value. Especially after the resume part. They had no idea how much experience and marketable qualities, and life skills they had to offer. They felt they had the foundation to go out into the competitive job market and succeed.

Now, Educating others is one of the most fulfilling things that I have ever experienced. One time I received 70 Thank You notes from students where I had been the guest speaker at their college for one day. It was so unexpected, I was speechless.

I feel the quote from the teacher above has three very important aspects that she mentioned.

• Critical Thinking
• Cooperative Learning
• Problem Solving.

My opinion is that these three topics are vital to success in any career.
Something that I feel gets lost in the noise of today.
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Check our website for upcoming class dates gmsartofbeauty.com
Remember, everyday can be a Beautiful One!
Gigi Stanley,
*Cosmetologist* Business Owner* Educator

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