My IRE Program is going well! (Oh, yes, AP Calculus is going well also.) The students enjoy Mondays as we see a new 'critter' for the week. The fact that *I* took the pictures seems to intrigue them--and surprise them!
Other than yoga classes a couple years ago, I haven't been in the position of learner in quite some time. We forget what that feels like; the triumphs, the nervous anticipation, the dread, the excitement. Will I do well? Will I make a fool out of myself? Will it be fun? Will it be awful? All of those emotions and more pop up when we are uncertain about what we are doing and how to do it. As adults, we are generally masters of our domain and it is easy to forget the myriad of emotions all of our students experience every school day. This was a nice reminder. A needed reminder.
In fact, I'll go so far as to suggest all educators need to put themselves in the position of learner from time to time. Not in your subject area, not an education course....something entirely new or unfamiliar that will stretch your capabilities and test your mastery. We ask this of our students daily, why do we not ask it of ourselves? We should. It is far too easy to forget what it is like to be in our student's shoes.
That would be my advice to future applicants of the Teacher Creativity Grant.....put yourself out there. Learn a new skill. It will help you connect to what is going on in the student's mind better than any workshop.
Personally I plan to continue underwater photography. I'm only getting started!
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