Blog Post #10

What can be learned from Randy Pausch's Last Lecture

It was a privilege to be introduced to this video of Randy Pausch. It was one of the most inspiring stories that have touched my future career for a lifetime. The lecture begins by revealing that he has terminal cancer, and was told that one month ago he was given only six months to live. He displayed a picture to the audience and showed how bad the cancer had spread. I thought that I would have to listen to him talk about how devastated his life has become since he was disbursed the devastating news. Astonishingly enough he discussed how he has lived a fulfilling life, had a loving family, and loved every aspect of the life that he has lived. It was clear that he lived his life to the fullest. Randy Pausch discussed how he put his family first and everything else second. I loved hearing how successful of a person that he was knowing that he had put his family first the entire time of his career. He knew that if he accomplished his own dreams first he then could help inspire others to achieve their own success as well. I want to inspire my own students that they can pursue ANYTHING in life. One of my biggest goals as a future teacher is to ensure that every child is given the opportunity to reach their own potential. Pausch looked at failure as an opportunity to learn and grow from the mistakes that were made in order to conquer success. He viewed failure as an opportunity to learn how to succeed. Failure does not mean that an individual is incompetent of achieving their task, but learning that the way that they are attempting it is not working. It is vital that my future students know that making mistakes is OK, as long as you learn from it. This is not only something students can apply to school work but also to real life. After all, we should be teaching our children to be successful not only in the classroom but in real life as well. Pausch was dedicated in absolutely everything that he did. I have always said, “If you are going to do something, give 110 percent effort. If your finishing product is not your absolute best, your time has been wasted. You did not reach your potential!” Randy Pausch taught his students more than just curriculum he taught his students lifelong lessons. I want to be the teacher that goes beyond the textbooks, and standards. While meeting standards are vital, teaching students lifelong applications is much more important. It is possible to teach meeting all the standards required while applying lifelong lessons as well. Learning how to communicate with others is something that an individual MUST learn to do to be successful in REAL life circumstances. To be successful every student MUST know how to LISTEN. Every student MUST learn how to work with others and work in groups.These are lifelong applications I will instill in my students. Randy Pausch always seeked to learn more. Dr. Strange's motto is for his students "to be lifelong learners." I am honored to say that I will continue this motto in my own future classroom! Please watch Randy Pausch Last Lecture you will forever be inspired as an educator!