Connecting to the classroom….

This prompt takes me back to my interview. Before walking in, I remember being conflicted. I interviewed with two potential mentors, one about whom I had heard wonderful things, and one I did not know. One for AgBiotech and one for Manufacturing. As the interview progressed I felt like I knew that I was completely out of my element for the Ag fellowship. I hoped that if I was chosen, it would be  for manufacturing fellowship, even though I would be extremely grateful for either.

As one of my interviewers, Lannie described the fellowship I felt chills: I mean the type of chills you get when you know that something is for you, and that you are headed in the right direction. Everything that we talked about was directly related to the production and manufacturing component of my principles of business and finance course. It was one of those things where you say “yes, yes, yes” to yourself and try to control your enthusiasm so as not to look like kid in the toy store of your dreams.

The fellowship would give me the opportunity to connect business to STEM while deepening my students understanding of their business content.  And more than that, it would give me an opportunity to bring industry to the classroom. Students need to know how their education is going to directly impact their lives, and if done correctly, this fellowship could help me open their minds and give them a taste of what their possibilities are in the real world.

Now that the fellowship has begun, it is evident that I can make not only direct curriculum connections but LIFE connections.  When I bring my course to the classroom, I hope that the students realize the connections as well.