Creating Single Steps Learning
Looking backwards, paying it forwards.
‘Single Steps Learning’ is the trading name for us - Lynne and Andrew - at Single Steps Learning Ltd. However, it is much more than that...
Looking backwards…
In 2010, we had to make some BIG personal and professional decisions. Reflecting on our own learning journeys in the world of education, we felt privileged to have learned from and worked alongside some wonderful people, who have been mentors, coaches, teachers and friends. Our shared passion was learning and the desire to provide learners (of any age) with the best possible opportunities to explore the world and their own potential, to achieve and excel, to value others and to value themselves.
Whatever the political and pedagogical weather, we have steered our course using the above ideals and values as our compass. It has not always been ‘plain sailing’, and never will be. Sometimes maintaining integrity comes at a price. Change is inevitable, but progress is optional. We have always attempted to adapt so that changes, whether voluntary or imposed, would serve the best interests of the learner and their future lives.
Sharing our practice and facilitating training was never part of the plan! It just happened. And, we are grateful to those people who identified potential within us, inspired us, nurtured us and helped us to grow.
In 2010, we had to make some BIG personal and professional decisions. Reflecting on our own learning journeys in the world of education, we felt privileged to have learned from and worked alongside some wonderful people, who have been mentors, coaches, teachers and friends. Our shared passion was learning and the desire to provide learners (of any age) with the best possible opportunities to explore the world and their own potential, to achieve and excel, to value others and to value themselves.
Whatever the political and pedagogical weather, we have steered our course using the above ideals and values as our compass. It has not always been ‘plain sailing’, and never will be. Sometimes maintaining integrity comes at a price. Change is inevitable, but progress is optional. We have always attempted to adapt so that changes, whether voluntary or imposed, would serve the best interests of the learner and their future lives.
Sharing our practice and facilitating training was never part of the plan! It just happened. And, we are grateful to those people who identified potential within us, inspired us, nurtured us and helped us to grow.
Paying it forwards…
We finally decided that we would continue on our journey as facilitators of adult learning. We had been empowered to empower our learners and co-workers and we wanted to ‘pay it forward’. We are often asked, ‘But don’t you miss the classroom and the interaction with the kids?’
In every event we are confronted by learners, some eager, some reluctant and disaffected! The age may have changed but the challenge is the same. To create learning experiences which engage the learner. The principles are the same. We want our adult learners to explore the world and their own potential, to achieve and excel, to value others and to value themselves. Perhaps the challenge is greater because as adults we have more to unlearn.
From our perspective, we are paying forwards the knowledge, skills and attitudes that empowered us. And, it is our hope that participants who attend any of our events will pay forward what they have learned, in their own personal and professional context - as teachers, leaders, administrators.
We finally decided that we would continue on our journey as facilitators of adult learning. We had been empowered to empower our learners and co-workers and we wanted to ‘pay it forward’. We are often asked, ‘But don’t you miss the classroom and the interaction with the kids?’
In every event we are confronted by learners, some eager, some reluctant and disaffected! The age may have changed but the challenge is the same. To create learning experiences which engage the learner. The principles are the same. We want our adult learners to explore the world and their own potential, to achieve and excel, to value others and to value themselves. Perhaps the challenge is greater because as adults we have more to unlearn.
From our perspective, we are paying forwards the knowledge, skills and attitudes that empowered us. And, it is our hope that participants who attend any of our events will pay forward what they have learned, in their own personal and professional context - as teachers, leaders, administrators.
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
A DECADE on...
10 out of 10
In August 2020, we will celebrate ten years of Single Steps Learning. At the beginning of March, we were trying to decide when it would be best to take two or three days summer holiday, during July, as we prepared for a full event schedule in the academic year 2020/21.
Then coronavirus arrived and lockdown happened. Like everyone else, we had to figure out how to deal with the ‘new normal’ as our own personal circumstances dictated – different boats, same storm. For the first time in almost 10 years we were ‘off the road’ and facing a future that was, and still is, very uncertain.
In thinking about the future, we inevitably reflected on the past and what an incredible journey it has been…
We have enjoyed friendships with people, whose support and generosity has been so important to us and our survival. We have met so many inspiring people, who don’t recognise how good they are due to their genuine humility. We have had the opportunity of working with learners of all ages - being able to share in their challenges and achievements. Moreover, we have had the privilege of learning from them too.
In ten years, a lot has changed. On a professional level, we have been doing more settings-based projects than off-site training courses. On a personal level, we have climbed 17.6 Munros, and have 1760 more grey hairs between us!
What hasn’t changed is our belief that our thoughts and actions can make a positive difference to the lives of other people. For the last ten years, we have chosen to do that via Single Steps Learning by creating and designing experiences, which provoke engagement in the process of learning and building community, through collaborative problem-solving.
Whatever awaits us in the future, as Single Steps Learning or not, that belief will continue.
Thank you to everyone who has helped us, inspired us supported us and, on occasion, challenged us. You are all part of Single Steps Learning.
Andrew and Lynne
10 out of 10
In August 2020, we will celebrate ten years of Single Steps Learning. At the beginning of March, we were trying to decide when it would be best to take two or three days summer holiday, during July, as we prepared for a full event schedule in the academic year 2020/21.
Then coronavirus arrived and lockdown happened. Like everyone else, we had to figure out how to deal with the ‘new normal’ as our own personal circumstances dictated – different boats, same storm. For the first time in almost 10 years we were ‘off the road’ and facing a future that was, and still is, very uncertain.
In thinking about the future, we inevitably reflected on the past and what an incredible journey it has been…
We have enjoyed friendships with people, whose support and generosity has been so important to us and our survival. We have met so many inspiring people, who don’t recognise how good they are due to their genuine humility. We have had the opportunity of working with learners of all ages - being able to share in their challenges and achievements. Moreover, we have had the privilege of learning from them too.
In ten years, a lot has changed. On a professional level, we have been doing more settings-based projects than off-site training courses. On a personal level, we have climbed 17.6 Munros, and have 1760 more grey hairs between us!
What hasn’t changed is our belief that our thoughts and actions can make a positive difference to the lives of other people. For the last ten years, we have chosen to do that via Single Steps Learning by creating and designing experiences, which provoke engagement in the process of learning and building community, through collaborative problem-solving.
Whatever awaits us in the future, as Single Steps Learning or not, that belief will continue.
Thank you to everyone who has helped us, inspired us supported us and, on occasion, challenged us. You are all part of Single Steps Learning.
Andrew and Lynne
Single Steps Learning is our trading name.
To us, Single Steps Learning is the portal through which participants can access and apply the accumulated knowledge, skills, wisdom, creativity of a wider community who value the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of learning and want to make a positive contribution to the lives of others.
