Too many kids enter my class in August with the misconception that the president can do whatever s/he wants and they are the be-all, end-all of decision making and change in the United States. It blows their mind when they discover how much influence citizens hold. Thus, it should be pretty powerful that the teachers on my team and I are structuring everything around the theme of citizenship this year.

• World War II on the homefront: What can you do to conserve resources to play your part to beat Hitler?
• The Constitution: Why is it important for you to understand and discuss the Bill of Rights?
• Civil Rights Movement: How can an individual create change within a larger context?

Perfectly fitting with this theme of citizenship, we will now ask the following:

• What can you do to create a conservation area in your backyard?
• Why is it important for you to understand what animals are around your school? Why should you advocate for them?
• Why should you participate in a study about shark’s teeth?
• Did you know that you can play a part in a scientist’s research?

Viewing life through themes (rather than content areas) illuminates understanding that you would otherwise miss. How powerful is it for students to realize that everything in life is made up of every content area you can identify?  Take an idea and explore it from every angle possible: art, math, music, science, physical activity, reading, writing, history, foreign language, psychology….

I’m hoping that through participating in my eMammal project and Mr. Bourne’s Shark Teeth project, our students come away with a deep, meaningful understanding of what it means to be a citizen–and pursue it in their lives beyond 8th grade.

Teachers just don’t get to experience things like the Kenan Fellows Program very often.

Teachers, imagine…

…throwing yourself into the role of the learner again.
In everyday life, we are learning constantly, from students and colleagues, from authors and artists. And yet, we are rarely formally in the role of Learner. As a Fellow, you’ll sit in a raft and learn about the insane biodiversity of an island in the Nantahala River in North Carolina. You’ll learn ways of identifying various dragonflies, then take a trek to a pond to catch and identify dragonflies–applying your newfound knowledge. You’ll learn an insane amount about whatever project (mammals? soil? shark teeth? ants? cotton? nanotechnology?) you are on. You’ll develop a meaningful relationship your mentor, who is a professional working in the field. You’ll learn new ways of instructing and guiding learning of kids.

As a teacher, you give and give and give and give. All day long, all year long. So, this is a chance to receive. This learning is refreshing and invigorating.

…being treating professionally.
At every turn in the Kenan Fellows Program, you and your ideas are valued. You are taken seriously as someone with a degree and experience. You’re put up in a hotel or conference center during Professional Advancement. You’re fed (almost too often) really quality food.

…networking with educators outside of your school.
You, like me, probably have some fantastic teachers in your building that you can learn from and with. But, with more people in your network, you are exposed to more ideas and you will become a better teacher just through spending time in the company of great teachers. You won’t be limited to the teachers on your hall or in your building; and, yes, you can get some of the benefits from an extended professional learning network from Twitter or other social media, but nothing can beat sharing stories, laughing, and discussing teaching together around a dinner table.

…helping to change how science is taught in North Carolina (and getting paid for it!).
You’ll work to bring your mentor’s work to classrooms around North Carolina. You’ll develop approachable, hands-on curriculum that allows students to become scientists and participate in actual science. We should be pushing to create experiences for students all the time in all of our classes, and this fellowship offers the tools and time to do that. The supplemental income for the summer is pretty nice, too!

These are my biggest takeaways. The more I reflect on the experience, the more I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in the program.