This week held some real watershed moments for me. Not only was I blessed with a fantastic team (go team Ants!) that bonded instantly but I have already gained some valuable tools and resources for my classroom.

My favorite session was Teaching Critical Thinking and Problem Solving with STEM with Justin Osterstrom. During this session we worked in groups to accomplish specific tasks while being given unforeseen challenges as we worked. This kind of high level, quick thinking  problem solving will work great in my classroom. I will be using some of Osterstrom’s activities during the first week of the new school year.

The best pd session of the week, however, was the EDCamp Express experience. This is professional development as it is meant to be. By asking teachers what they want to get better at and then allowing open and honest dialogue, they really get true development and sharpening of their skills. At this moment, I am in contact with my district literacy coach developing PD with the EdCamp model. We are the experts and it is our collective that makes us better not programs and acronyms.

Above all, this week has been rich with fellowship, networking and resources. One week in and I have already added significantly to my teaching toolbox. I know there is much more to come.

I am honored and humbled to be a Kenan Fellow. I know this experience will give me the vehicle and network to bring some powerful learning  opportunities to my students.

By gaining hands-on field and research experience, I will be able to connect my students to a real-world, living model of the scientific  method. I will document the entire internship so that my students can live this adventure with me in hopes that it teaches and inspires.

Additionally, I hope to develop a network of positive, like minded teachers and professionals that adds to my support network and resource base. I expect I will be able to tap into some of the best minds in our state to make my classroom more exploratory, engaging and enriching.

Overall, I believe this is a great program that will help me create a great classroom. Thank you Kenan Fellows for this life-changing journey.

Justin Osterstorm really makes teaching critical thinking, problem solving and communication easy to understand and fun.

@mros_view

Great presentation here at the Kenan Fellows retreat by Michelle hicks on how to infuse the Humanities into Stem PBL.http://kenanfellows.org/kenan-fellows-voices-michelle-hicks/

Great breakfast and fellowship this morning. Looking forward to another day of networking and collaborating with teachers on the cutting edge of their profession.