How has the Kenan Fellows Program changed me? I’m glad you asked.
It has sparked a love of teaching again. Maybe spark isn’t the best word. I’ve been blessed with a internal passion for my career. It helps me weather the inevitable storms. However, it is good to have external fuel for a fire. The KFP has been the gasoline on a career I already loved.
It has connected me with others who “get me.” CS Lewis said, “Friendship is born at that moment when one man says to another: ‘What! You too?'” This moment is no less significant in the professional world. Through both formal professional development and at leisure teacher-talk, I’ve shared concerns, gained wisdom, and generated ideas with educators beyond my normal sphere of influence.
I am intentionally looking for ways to connect my students with the world beyond our playground. Let’s take tomorrow’s lesson for example. The students are learning about the economy and budget in our social studies class. Tomorrow Holly’s Springs’ city project manager will do a brief presentation with my students and then work with them in small groups as they create a budget for their city. Also, I have contacted a North Carolina General Assembly legislator who will be visiting our classroom during third quarter. Last, but not least, Kurt, the greenhouse guru from Bayer, who will be visiting during our ecosystems unit. Guest speakers are certainly a start for teaching students about the real world and connecting the community with my school. However, I would like to do more with this. I do not know what that will look like yet. <—–yet = growth mindset – see previous blog entry
The internship has strengthened my content knowledge and eagerness to learn. I have only been at Bayer for eight days, but I have learned so much and been able to connect it to my students’ curriculum. For example, when we talked about cells and genetics, I shared with students about how Bayer uses an understanding of genetics to innovate new ideas to increase crop production. I cannot wait to return to Bayer next Tuesday!
