Creating Learning Environments

Creating Learning Environments

Last week, we shared Un-Learning and Learning, the first in our series unpacking L3 Catalyst Group’s Ls: Learn, Lead, & Liberate. Over the next few months, we will hear from more than a dozen brilliant humans about why they value and how they define, understand, and love learning, leading, and/or liberation. They’ll share a short narrative, tell a story, or share a challenge that illustrates why Learn, Lead, or Liberate is important to them.

At L3 Catalyst Group, we believe that organizational and personal leadership requires learning. In fact, growth and transformation can’t take place without learning…and unlearning.

At L3 Catalyst Group we grow learning, cultivate brave leaders & teams, and co-create a liberatory future. We envision equitable outcomes, spaces of belonging, and flourishing people.

Today, we hear from Megan Kizer, a brilliant, brave, badass human who serves as a Supervising Improvement Partner with Partners in School Innovation. Megan will be sharing about her relationship with learning.

I sincerely thank you, Megan, for sharing your thoughts about how meaningful learning is for you.

Fellow leaders and learners, I wish you courage, rest, and beloved community along the journey.

Why is learning important to me?

Although I wasn't aware of what was being imprinted on me when I was younger, I had always enjoyed being perceived as smart. To maintain this perception meant an investment and learning, which I was gladly willing to do because I had a passion for reading and a deep connection to novelty. As I look back on it now, I can see that what began as extrinsic and an identity put upon me became one of the most treasured aspects of my identity, and again, the realization that as a learner, I could increase my agency, especially when what I've learned could be reflected on, crystallized, and turned into action.

How has learning shown up in my life in meaningful ways?

Two things come to mind for me-- one is how learning has driven the timelines of my life, meaning the experiences that I consider significant milestones are often connected to learning. Many of us likely have the same. Moving out of my childhood home and endeavoring to be an adult was sparked by attending college or visiting Europe; the only time in my life as a 21-year-old through Study Abroad programs at my University are examples of some milestones. Getting my master's was no mundane phase of my life. In fact, it was like challenges were funneled in to challenge my ability to love what I was learning as I balanced the pressures of full-time work and adult life. Those structured, time-bound, and communal learning phases shape your worldview and work habits. 

The second way is how learning is often the solution I apply when I encounter barriers. No matter what, seeking to learn will pull from the wisdom of what's outside you and help it become a part of who you are from then on. This element of my work style drives me to learn about people and their mindsets or histories and contexts of the locations I'm working in and learn more about what might impact the barriers I face. Using learning as a way to solve problems humbles you. It encourages multiple perspectives in decision-making because even if you're in a situation where you primarily act alone, a part of you knows learning more would increase the likelihood of the solution working. 

It seems trite to say I wouldn't be who I am without attending college, but this Black, rural Michigan aspiring teacher learned she could do what no one else in generations of her family had done AND return home. I feel like learning is often shown to Black and Brown people, especially in the media, as a way out of what will separate you and give you distance between what's bad and proximity to what's good. That messaging doesn't consider that where you've been has value. My agricultural hometown has different and amazing value, just like the city in Spain where I lived for five months. The stories I've learned from in my journey to overcome barriers are as impactful as the formalized learning that puts letters behind my last name.

What does learning look, sound, or feel like to me?

I learn from my social circle. I have to name that first because it is a revelation. The company that I am blessed with has skills and talents and is interested in the work of my improvement, bettering themselves and our relationship. I can go to people around me to learn about what they know and myself. In that way, learning feels like a valued friendship.
I learn by immersing myself in input around the topic and, nearly just after that, trying it out. Sometimes, there is little learning before applying; other times, I research at length. I can be a bit impulsive with commitment decisions- like joining the events committee at the Community Garden and then realizing it requires skills I don't yet have and need to learn. (like video editing to maintain the Community Garden's Instagram account)  I didn't always understand that. I learned and applied new "filters" through my mental health journey as an adult and an adult diagnosis of ADHD. Now that I am learning more about those things, I  can create the ideal learning environment for myself as an adult.

Whether something is going to become tangible, like I need to learn how to use Canva, or I am learning a cognitive skill like I want to grow my ability to pause and reflect-- something makes me say- How? How is that done? Then, my process is often the same. This usually means taking in visuals, videos, written pieces, and stories from those who have tried things and allowing all those pieces to influence what I do next. Social media is mainly helpful, especially YouTube. I can go from knowing nothing to being able to ask better-clarifying questions when I do get time with experts/specialists. I can refine search engine queries to hone what I'm looking for and gather vetted resources.

I will "consume" knowledge about an idea or a possibility, and in doing that, internalize the elements that are sticky to who I am and grow my repertoire of whatever this new topic may be. It will become embodied with practice, and I want to practice immediately. This frenzy of betterment is invigorating and even euphoric. When I dive in, I know understanding will be a product of the journey. That promise of discovery keeps me full when I'm getting depleted.