A Peek Inside Mrs. E's Room

**I originally wrote this for my classroom blog, but I really wanted to share it here too. I can't help but think of how many times we, as adults, don't try something because of time, or its scary, or its hard, or whatever other reason. Is there something you've always wanted to learn? Consider this your permission to dive in. Make it your own Genius Hour and contribute to the world in a new way.**

Well, here we are, five weeks into another school year, but I think it's time that I reveal my motto for this school year. Are you ready for this?

It's changing EVERYTHING for me.

It's like jumping off a high cliff...
and not being able to see through the water below.

Here it is:
WHY NOT?


Let me rewind a bit... I'm trying something new this year called Genius Hour which is basically allowing students to select, design, and pursue a passion of their own. It's student-centered learning at its finest, but, let me tell you, it. is. terrifying, but it's okay.
It's hard, but it's okay.
It's intimidating, but it's okay.

It's okay because I'm learning too.

You see, I'm a control-freak that hides under the guise of perfectionism, and Genius Hour requires me to let go of some control and let my students dig in to learning. And you guys. If they dig in, they're going to have to get to the "dirty" part of learning which is where trial and error happen, and where their limits are tested, and, sometimes, its where they fail. But here's the game changer: as humans, there have to be growing pains if we're going to grow.

But what had to change for me to make this jump? Mostly me.

I had to realize that it is OKAY if I fail (...*takes a deep breath in and out*...) because failure is okay.
Even when you're the teacher.
Even when you have the training.
Even though you've read all the books & blogs.
Even though you're the one with the degree.

SO. I've started running everything through the filter of WHY NOT?

A student wants to learn about politics and government, AND she wants to have her outside expert/resource be the current or a former president??? Why not try it and see what we get?
A student decides to make his project all about rebuilding his truck with his dad? Why not let him do all of that work outside of the classroom?
A student wants to become a motivational speaker? Why not help her start building her platform?
Another student wants to start a new club? Why not be the sponsor?
A student wants to learn more about elementary education? Why not connect her with a real-life class?
A student sees the need for young boys to have positive, male role models in his community? Why not help him start mentoring one?

Here's what I expected (and, if we're being honest, I secretly hoped for): nice, neat projects that were simple in nature. Neat in learning. Easy in guiding. Things like watching plants grow, learning a new language, picking up a new skill like crochet, learning a new sport, making an app or website or tech-based game. Things that have resources. Places other people have been. And of course, all the while, my students learning all those good life-skills they need, like overcoming failure and boosting their own confidence in their learning, all that feel-good stuff.

Here's what I got when I pitched Genius Hour to my students: messy projects that are going to delve into human nature. Complex projects that are going to make my students look at their community & peers differently. Difficult projects that involve trying something TOTALLY brand new. Their projects range from learning about their heritage, taking their skills to the next level, designing games and apps and videos that are "bigger picture," focusing on learning, overcoming mental health issues, and helping people laugh--and those are just a few.

I pitched the idea and got back passionate desires to go in directions nobody is even looking. 

In the spirit of honesty, my initial reaction is to back out and say NO. WAY.
I hate to admit it, but my brain has said several times, let's think a little smaller... but instead, I've started saying why not?

Genius Hour in itself has become my own Genius Hour project. I'm going through each step, each learning opportunity, each process just like my students are. It's nerve-wracking, stressful, messy, and complex.

But more than anything? When I say "why not" even though I KNOW that something isn't going to work, I'm empowering my students. They aren't only learning all that feel-good, almost-cliche classroom stuff. They're learning about their own strengths and skills. They're exploring the realms of their own potential. They're being innovators, teachers, mentors, humanitarians--the guardians of what's good, what's better, and what's next.

You see, I've always known that I really do have world changers in my classroom. And, for perhaps the first time, some of them are starting to see it too.