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Month: May 2016

A Goodbye Sendoff

Posted on 24/05/201626/10/2020 By Mrs. Wilson No Comments on A Goodbye Sendoff
Teaching

Last week, the multimedia students (which include several of my former students), my colleagues, and students completely surprised me with this beautiful video sendoff. I asked one of my former students who does a lot with our video program if he could help me with a video. So, they also conspired to make this, the final episode of the We Are Lanier documentary program they developed this year.

As teachers, we often don’t realize the impact we are making. I feel like this year I have been blessed to really see the difference I am making. I feel a bit like Mr. Holland in Mr. Holland’s Opus, except I didn’t have to wait until I retired to see the impact I made on some of my students.

I work with the most amazing fellow educators and students. What we have in our CDAT program at Lanier is truly special. I will miss them all so much when I am in England. Now, I just need to find an equally amazing place to teach in England!

Making Leaders #MakerEd

Posted on 17/05/201626/10/2020 By Mrs. Wilson No Comments on Making Leaders #MakerEd
Teaching

IMG_8769I love the Maker Movement. It affords kids opportunities to create and do amazing things. We provide them the tools and the space and allow them to be creative, to put their own spin on learning.

Last year, we hosted our first Maker Fest. We held it at our school and called it the CDAT STEM Maker Fest. It was a fun event, and the maker spirit was really fostered in our students.

This year, we had the opportunity to partner with our city in order to host the Sugar Hill Maker Fest in front of city hall. Once again, it was an amazing experience, and it showed the maker spirit. This time, it included community makers, vendors, food trucks, music, and our fabulous students.

However, what I have realized watching the progression of our Maker Fest is this. We are not just allowing our students to be makers. We are making leaders. The Maker Movement is just as much about character development as making.

Last year, our juniors worked through the planning. As it was our first year, the teachers did a lot of the support work. This year, the now seniors along with some juniors and sophomores continued with the organization of the event. Our students met with city officials, planned the event, worked on advertising, and organized the logistics so the day ran smoothly. Although we as teachers were there and participated, we did not have an active role in the planning. Why? They didn’t need us. The experiences from the year before helped them to learn and grow. Hosting a maker fest helped us to make student leaders.

Tonight, I attended the Datties, our annual CDAT awards ceremony. It was an incredible, well planned, and organized event. It started with a dessert social, then followed with awards for high achieving students, student and teacher superlatives, and our favorite: paper plate awards. The planning has been in the works for months now. But the most impressive thing is who planned the event. The event was an overwhelming success because two young ladies in the junior class made it that way. They took care of every detail. Organized everything from sending out surveys for awards, creating certificates, lining up presenters, and ordering cake. I love that we have an environment where students are encouraged to develop their leadership skills and given the avenue to put the skills into play. We had so much fun tonight sharing stories, eating and laughing with our students, and recognizing everyone’s hard work and unique contributions to CDAT.

So, when you think about the Maker Movement, I want you to consider another scenario. It definitely helps foster the maker spirit in our students. But remember, it can also make our makers into leaders. What can you do to start making leaders in your school? And remember, kids these days are amazing; let’s continue to provide them with incredible opportunities!IMG_8773

 

Big changes ahead

Posted on 11/05/201626/10/2020 By Mrs. Wilson No Comments on Big changes ahead
Exploring

I’m not sure how it’s been almost a year since my last post. That’s just embarrassing. It’s been a transitional year, and I suppose that partly explains it. So what’s been happening?

My husband is from England. He’s been in the US since 1999, and he’s been incredibly home sick for a few years now. Last summer, he found a job in England, so he moved back there in July to test the waters. Well he’s absolutely loved it, and our dog Devon, cats Halley and Newton, and I have not been so happy about being here on our own.

So, here’s the big changes that lie ahead. When the school year ends (which is only a couple of weeks away) and my visa arrives, we’ll be packing up and moving to England to reunite with my husband. It is bittersweet as I think about leaving my fabulous school and students behind. I will miss them so much, and I truly believe we have some of the best students. However, I can’t wait to be with my husband again. This has definitely been a challenging year!

What happens next? Well, hopefully I’ll be able to find a teaching job in England. The school system in England is different from what I am used to in the US, and I’ve been researching to make sure I have a better understanding. However, I love teaching so much, and I can’t imagine doing anything else.

Dare mighty things has never meant so much to me as it has the past year, and as I prepare for the adventure ahead. Though it will be hard to leave behind my family, friends, and school, I know that adventure awaits.

Dare Mighty Things!

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