Tamara Griffith
Access
The teacher has exposed students and their families to people, programs, resources, and connections that can open doors for them, and they are able to navigate and access those opportunities.
Introduction:
My middle school students are at a crucial point in their lives; they are beginning to forge their identities, develop their voices, and explore the impact they can make upon the world around them. By exposing my students to a variety of new experiences, people, and resources, I can better facilitate their understanding of the world around them -- and how to maximize their potential in it. By transforming students' educations through a variety of access opportunities, students are able to learn and grow as people -- not just on paper. They are able to build the mindsets necessary to become lifelong learners by articulating the ways in which what they are learning in class bridges the real world.
To construct this bridge to the outside world, I presented by my 6th grade scholars and my 8th grade leaders with a variety of access opportunities. Literature was able to come alive for my language arts students when we went to the Mattie Kelly Arts Center to view a theatrical performance relating to social justice themes. My 6th graders were able to gain additional perspective on writing and the writing process by listening to and interacting with a published author and guest speaker. My leadership students were able to apply their leadership skills and several Habits of Mind during their completion of a ropes course during our Adventure's Unlimited retreat. All of my students were able to maximize learning time by having abundant access to classroom supplies and materials.
To explore how these access opportunities came alive for my students, click on the images below.
Conclusion:
Often, students may have interests and skills that they simply don't know translate to the real-world. By exposing students to the different ways that those interests and content-related skills transfer to the real world, students can begin to see not only how the content connects to the world around them, but also become more invested in their learning. As students become more curious about the world around them and are able to transfer their content knowledge to real-world experiences, their learning becomes transformational. Exposure to outside opportunities and people allows students to think about their own futures, skills, and goals in ways they may not have thought were possible. By researching, planning, and providing access to my students, I expose my students to alternate pathways and doors of opportunity. As students learn about these different pathways and opportunities, they can make better, more informed decisions about the potential careers they want to pursue.