THEN: My initial motivation for applying for the Kenan Fellows Program was to be the best possible STEM educator I can be. However, I’m learning there will be a lot of other benefits that I had not previously considered.
NOW: A couple of goals I have now for my Kenan fellowship are:
*Develop new STEM lessons with real world connections for my students
*Network with other educators
*Inspire my students to love science and open their eyes to STEM careers
*Learn as much as I can about research and development, agricultural science, technology, and new instructional strategies
*Refuse to keep my new knowledge and experiences to myself! (Share with colleagues.)
LATER: My takeaway from yesterday’s discussions was the flexibility of the Kenan Fellows Program. I appreciated the timeline of when each assignment is due, but the open ended atmosphere provides some freedom I had not originally anticipated. Lists and clear expectations are comfortable to me, and flexibility can be frightening. However, growth usually does not occur in our comfort zones. I feel as though I’ve seen puzzle pieces, but haven’t yet seen the picture on the puzzle box cover. I know now that I will not see the big picture until after the experience is formally complete, and I realize that is for the best!
Today’s Takeaway: In what areas of your life have you become comfortable? Are these the same areas in which you’ve quit growing?
Bayer CropScience’s Bee Care Center: If you look carefully, you’ll see a scientist who is willing to stretch herself by conducting research on bee health.
Wow, Stacey! I am really enjoying your blog posts. You are an insightful/reflective person and a good writer. Your takeaway could have been aimed right at me. I have taken a lot of risks in my career/life in order to grow and achieve dreams. However, the questions in your takeaway are a good reminder that we should never feel that we have “arrived.” Movement and challenges are essential to a life well lived. Thanks for the reminder.