I started taking guitar lessons back in February, and I am really enjoying learning a new instrument. You may be thinking, "What do Donna's guitar lessons have to do with CFG's?" A lot--because learning how to play the guitar is helping me reflect on my own teaching and learning in different ways.

For example, one thing that I really like about my guitar lessons is learning so much theory. I think that my piano background has helped me quickly progress on the guitar since I already know the fundamentals of music. However, there is one huge difference. When playing piano and oboe, my goal was always to play the composer's vision--to play the written notes on the page.

Now, I have to learn how to improvise more. I have to broaden my own vision--to look at many possibilities and make decisions about what sounds best for my purpose.

This whole guitar-playing experience may actually turn me into a better, more divergent thinker!