Fill The Gap - Part III

The past two weeks’ blog posts focussed on the disappointing gaps in K-12 education and on what those specific gaps are. Lamenting the past mistakes, blaming politics, culture, and generational differences, shaming teachers and parents and students themselves are not going to ‘fill the gaps.’ This week, let’s consider what we can do to ‘fill the gaps.’

All we have is the present moment; what worked in the past, what was ‘normal’ is now passé. During the COVID-19 pandemic, people were encouraged to get comfortable with the “new normal.” I’m still trying to figure out what the “new normal “ is. What we need is a collective community pushing to ‘fill the gaps’ because “old ways won’t open new doors.” *

This is fertile time for people to address the gaps in their skills, knowledge, abilities, and attitudes. While some communities do a good job of providing ‘gap filler’ workshops, coaching, classes, we all can do more to contribute to ‘gap filling.’ What if all communities, all colleges, all high schools, all corporations offered ‘mortar’ to ‘fill gaps’ - focussed classes, instruction, mentoring, equipping to shore up knowledge and skills? What if we all were passionate about helping others ‘fill their gaps’? What if ‘gaps’ were not seen as flaws but as opportunities?

At Re-Imagine Life Coaching, we are passionate about assisting others in ‘filling their gaps.’ We offer a Financial Literacy course; we offer a creative and professional writing course; we are working with others to offer basic computer and math classes. While we are applying for grants to establish ‘Fill the Gap’ plans, events, and equipping volunteers, the time is ripe for upgrading skills, knowledge, abilities, and attitudes. This week, I’m challenging readers to consider what they know and will share with others to ‘fill gaps.’ I suspect, when we share what we know to help others expand their proficiency, we will ‘fill our own gaps.’ In the meantime, here is a list of a few resources that may help ‘fill gaps’:

• Basic computer skills - https://www.careertoolbelt.com/best-sites-for-online-computer-classes/

• Basic math skills for adults - https://sciencing.com/basic-math-skills-adults-5003.html

• Professional and creative writing skills - The Re-Imagine Writing Online Writing Course; contact reimaginelife22@gmail.com; https://www.grammarly.com

• Financial literacy skills - Re-Imagine Life Coaching Financial Literacy course using https://www.ramseysolutions.com

• Time management skills - https://www.leecockerell.com/time-management-magic-course/

• Professionalism skills - https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/the-ultimate-guide-to-professionalism

• Social etiquette skills - https://harappa.education/harappa-diaries/social-etiquette/

• Crash courses in history and culture - https://www.openculture.com/2014/11/crash-course-big-history.html

* Because so many people have coined this phrase, it is not attributed.