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.