#30DaysofLearning Day 3 - Celebrating Unique Moments

During my days of learning to ask more questions, I have found myself wanting to celebrate some small, but important, moments.

As a believer in the power of student-driven inquiry, I could not have been happier to share a video conference with students and staff from schools in Scotland.  We have been in regular contact about establishing MakerSpaces in schools and what that looks like when put into action.

The students from Scotland met myself and the amazing teacher, Ms.Sacks, on a Zoom video conference to talk about how to create a MakerSpace in their primary school.  Their questions were thoughtful and driven, and they made me smile knowing that young people have owned the process of designing a new type of learning environment for their school.  Squint in the picture below, and you might catch a glimpse of me.

I love talking with my Scottish friends about making school a better place to learn.  But it is not just new learners that inquiries that guide my day and my life.  I also had the honor of being invited to try the food baked by a former student of mine.  She entered baking school (read some of her story HERE) and is nearing completion of her program.  Part of this work includes inviting friends and family to taste your work.  Talk about authentic audience...

Ami made an amazing dish called a Chocolate Mole Tamale.  This thing had a beautiful plate presentation, and was not a typically hyper-sweetened dessert.  It was paired with a subtly sweet ice cream and some candied fruit and nuts that when taken together were an explosion of flavor.  I tasted chocolate from the subway to my door home.  It was wonderful.  And it was her.  She brought her personal flare and culture to a plate.  I couldn't have been more proud.  I was lucky enough to share this experience with her mother who was nothing but smiles the whole time.

Maybe my most memorable moment this week, though, was the most unexpected moment.  The type of moment you can't count on or plan for.  The one that makes you question your nerve and tenacity.  Can I make sure the work continues through this ridiculously tragic moment?  Do I embrace embarrassment or hide until the day has ended?  Can I hide?  If I could would I really want to?

How will my actions show everyone who sees me a demonstration of what I believe to be true about myself and the work that I do for young people?

It was funny.  It was embarrassing.  It was my life for most of a day.  I owned it.  I kept working.  And I told EVERYONE around what happened.  We don't get to choose these moments, we only get to choose how we greet them wen they arrive.  I greeted the moment with a smile and a lot of sharing.

When you have a day that you must Incredible Hulk you way through moments AND CLOTHES, own the ridiculousness.  I kinda wish I had googly eyes to put on the back once I got home to take the pics and realize the degree to which I had torn my trousers.  Thankfully, it is Winter, and I had a sweater for my waist.  With this pic, I leave you.  On to Day 4, my friends...