This year, for the first time since I student taught for 16 weeks 12 years ago, I am teaching a high school class. And it's not even a class in my subject area (Social Studies). The class I get to teach is exciting to me because it's something that I have grown passionate about in the last few years.
Teaching.
I have the opportunity, the challenge, and the privilege this year to teach a class for high school teachers who want to be teachers "when they grow up." The class is called Teaching as a Career.
It is the most difficult thing I have done in 10 years.
There are days I feel like I have no clue what I'm doing. I have no idea where to go from here. What concept to teach next and how long to spend on each idea. I have lost more sleep over this class in the last two months reflecting about the activities and lessons than I have in a very long time.
Because I don't just want this class to be good.
I want it to be awesome. If these kids get nothing else out of the class, I want them to walk away knowing that being a teacher is awesome. It's hard work, much harder than most know. It often comes without an appreciation for all the time and work put in. But there is no better feeling in the world than to watch kids walk away from your class with a smile or continuing the conversation in the hallway or at home.
Today my "Future Teachers" (as I like to call them) had the opportunity to put some of the things they have learned into action. They had to prepare a professional development session for their high school teachers on Breakout EDU.
Let me just say that again and let it sink in a bit.
These...HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS presented a new concept for the classroom TO THEIR TEACHERS on a day they normally could have slept in.
Talk about an intimidating crowd.
They did an awesome job! I was so proud of them as I walked around today watching them lead this activity. They weren't perfect, there's room for improvement, but they did something today that many current TEACHERS have never attempted. To speak and instruct other teachers.
What an awesome learning experience for everyone!
And now I have to figure out what to do next week.
PS...haven't checked out Breakout EDU yet? Google it. Now. It's awesome. More on that little gem coming later!
