To me, teaching and learning is magical. It is beautiful and delightful and at times creates a sensation of How did that just happen? Witnessing engagement and deep concentration from a teacher and learner as once-hidden information becomes revealed, unfolding a new skill or idea, is pure joy!

The song "Your Joy" by The Coats, a Seattle a cappella group, comes to mind when I see this deep learning. One of the lines is

I love the sound of a teacher trying . . .

But most of all I want you to know that I love the sound of your joy.

Teaching and learning is joy! To be on either side of the act is joyful. A college basketball coach once told me he took up guitar lessons during the basketball season. He wanted to play the guitar, and he wanted to be reminded of how it feels to be a learner.

During the school year, we spend most of our time being the teacher. This summer, how might we experience the joy of being a learner? Perhaps we'll get acquainted with a new author and read their story, cook a new recipe, learn a new song to sing or play, or discover a new teaching technique.

Once we have learned the skill of teaching, discovered the gift of teaching, it never leaves us, nor does the skill of being a learner. So, in this new season, what will you be teaching? What will you be learning? Whatever you do, I wish you joy.

This article might be missing links that were included at the time of publication.