Month: March 2022

Describe a moment when your students experienced an “Ah-Ha” or “Light Bulb” moment because of something you taught them.

Did that moment grow from your experience as a Kenan Fellow?

Our Valedictorian Class of 2022, not one of my students, but a student of our Barbering instructor whose classroom is across the hall from me was struggling. He has 2 classes to complete to graduate. He had not completed any work six weeks into the semester. I asked him why he hadn’t done any work. He explained the 2 classes were online and he felt like he wouldn’t be able to learn anything because he wasn’t in a live classroom where he could ask questions. He felt he had no support. I did 2 things to help him, both were “light bulb” moments for him.
First, I explained I would help him with organizing his work so he could complete it on time for graduation. In organizing his work, I had him count the number of assignments he needed to complete. Then I had him count the number of days he would be in school until work needed to be completed. I had him calculate how many assignments he needed to complete each day in order to have everything done in time for graduation. He calculated he needed to complete 2 assignments everyday. He had looked at all the assignments due, as a big picture, and thought he could not possibly get everything done, especially without support. Now it looked doable to him. It was a “light bulb” moment for him. The look on his face was priceless.
Next I assisted him in reaching out to the resources he would need that were available in our school building, and with his online teachers, to help him learn. I had him email both of his online instructors, and explain that he would like extra support. Then I had him talk to the instructors in the building who could assist him, and ask if they would be willing to help him. They all said yes. As he began to complete his work, tentatively at first, he reached out to each of his resources and asked for assistance. They all responded positively, and have continuously supported him. Today he has completed half of the class assignments, and has an A in both classes. The “light bulb” moment came when he realized the support he needed was available, he just needed to reach out and ask for it.
This is more of a big picture lesson, but I felt important for this very bright young man. He needed to learn how to see his work assignments in the details, but also in the big picture. And most importantly he needed to learn to advocate for himself.
My Kenan Fellow experience has given me the opportunity to see and understand the learning experience of my students in the bigger picture. It also has given me the confidence to advocate for myself and for my students in a professional, positive way. Being a Kenan Fellow has been priceless, both professionally and personally. I am grateful to everyone who allowed and supported me in the Kenan Fellow program.

The thing that stands out the most about how my fellowship has changed me is my increased confidence. This confidence has spilled out into all areas of my work and personal life.
In my work, I have improved my networking skills, and was awarded a $10,000 grant from the Goodwill organization to be used specifically for student needs at my school. This came about because I participated in a networking activity, that I would not have joined in prior to my Kenan Fellowship.
In my classroom, I have set up a mentoring program, where students mentor each other in their work. It teaches the students how to teach others, and is improving their leadership skills. It is building their learning confidence, and increasing their engagement in the classroom. It also has allowed them to create relationships with one another.
Working at Novozymes gave me the opportunity to see how diverse the jobs are in biotech. I learned that there are so many branches in biotech, and so many opportunities for our diverse students. It has been exciting to expose my students to this information.