Today was "THAT" Day and my HEART is Full Beyond Measure

You know, that day you need to really remind and reiterate why we do this crazy hard innovative work? Well, today was that day for me as a Next Generation Leader.  It was a morning exhibiting what can happen when we are willing to let go of the control and empower our students in the learning process.  A student presentation by our UNLOCK Class (students in grades 9-12 who desire to change the world, literally and very seriously) this morning in front of a group of administrators was the culmination of their classroom experience to date, hard work, and commitment and I cannot stop smiling.  It was just INCREDIBLE.  

Now, there are dark days as our UNLOCK group has begun to reference them and we do not love them, but they happen.  Rarely, but they do happen.  Those days make you want to throw in the towel...but days like this when it comes together and you can see how much these students have accomplished in nine weeks is just nothing short of amazing! They have partnered with a village in Nicaragua with a mission and vision that shows just how serious Next Generation Learners are in their education.  Take a look at their project on their website at http://www.eisunlock.org/ and see for yourself.

These students are taking integrated English, Technology, and in some cases History for credit and showing the world of education anything really is possible. It is hard for me to even describe the pride I have for them and their work to begin and strive to achieve a goal that most would not even consider.  To see a classroom come to fruition that overcomes and offers those components many believe are the most important is encouraging:
  • Real-World Application
  • Use of In-Depth Inquiry to Solve Real Problems that Impact Real People
  • Personalization of Learning 
  • Soft Skill Integration: Communications, Presentations, Meeting Deadlines, etc.  
  • Flexible Classroom Structure
  • Collaboration (Virtually and In-Person)
  • Student Driven Standards Based Reporting (evidence 100% provided by students)
  • and the list could go on...of all the things we spout we want to see in our education, but seldom see it come to fruition...UNLOCK has fulfilled its name at Eminence Independent High School. 

I am  so proud of the UNLOCK student group as much for their academic achievements as I am for their willingness to serve and share in the field of education.  These students inspire me and others on a daily basis.  I 100% believe that Innovation and ACTION are two necessary components in education.   October 17, 2014 is a day that reminded me of why I chose to be at E! Children Matter.  I am PROUD of you for UNLOCKing ME!

Please see pictures below for the UNLCOK group in action! Smiles to all, Shannon Treece










Comments

  1. Renee BossOctober 17, 2014 at 1:20 PM

    Amazing work by incredible students who have leaders and teachers who empower them. Thank you so much for this post & for previous opportunities to talk with these teens. Their passion for changing the world is obvious, and the fact that they are learning pertinent skills and content like this is inspiring to all of us in education.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Confessions of a Principal Mother...Round I

Today, I write my blog and smile.  I have wanted to write this entry for quite some time and today, well...today is the day.  Today at the chiropractors office I was told, "you are always so put together and are always organized."  I looked over my shoulder as I knew they could not be referring to me as I stood there in my UK shirt and purplish shorts that were far from being put together.  There was no way. People, in the morning, I wake up hitting the ground running at 4:50 (after hitting the snooze button at least twice) most days with the song, "I Will Survive" playing in my head as these days in this work it feels like an episode of survivor on a pretty regular basis.  I always thought I was pretty tough, strong...I mean I was the oldest of three farm girls, my dad wanted three boys...so you can envision the rest.  He took no excuses and "suck it up" and "figure it out" were very frequent phrases heard by myself and my two sisters. Well,
Read more

Today is more than a black and white issue, it is an issue of our hearts...

Image
On this day four years ago, Darrell and I were on a plane ride that would forever change our lives.  We were heading to Ethiopia to meet our daughter, our precious blessing from God.  A blessing that would likely not been able to happen without a focus on the heart from people who were unafraid of the world.  The ways of the world and political "bureaucrazy" are often enough of a reason to prevent us from being the change in the world.  You see, I am thankful for heroes like Dr. Martin Luther King who were stronger than both bureaucracy and the harsh world he faced.   This morning the speaker for our school systems Unity Celebration in honor of Martin Luther King Day; Michael Chatman, spoke of being a gentle leader in the face of adversity.  He spoke eloquently on many of my own beliefs and it encouraged me that it truly is not an issue of blacks and whites.  It is in fact an issue of our hearts.  It is how we interface with others that speaks to the love necessary to m
Read more