Personally, I believe the single most important aspect of the Kenan Fellowship, and its consequent impact on my instructional strategy, has to be a change of perception in “sharing.”

I believe there has always been power in sharing. Power to unite a common cause. Power to motivate through voice. Power to inspire through reason and ideas. There is power in the intangible of the spoken word.

However, I believe I am more well equipped in how to “navigate” the realm of sharing per say. I understand more completely the fluidity of sharing-to-marketing-to-sponsorship-to-public relations. More importantly, I more concretely understand how such can impact my students.

Over the course of the summer, I have gained new ideas and tools to incorporate STEM, yet I have learned how to truly sustain partnerships through proper advocacy, student voice, and the utilization of technology. I have been challenged to consider advocacy through a different lens, by meeting the needs of all involved. For instance: using Google Hangout to sustain our partnerships with Novant, and to connect our students in real-time to researchers to share out on their own progress!

So how has it impacted my classroom? I think we are all in for an unforeseen year in growth of STEM for my students. All of such thanks to a more complete understanding of the power in sharing within our 21st Century learning community!