The journey of education is a remarkable one, filled with both triumphs and challenges, particularly when students embrace ownership of their learning. Traditionally, teachers have been viewed as repositories of knowledge, delivering facts for students to passively absorb. However, my three decades in education have led me to believe that a teacher’s true role is that of a learning guide, an educational facilitator, and a broker of learning opportunities.
In my early teaching years, the classroom felt confining, limiting both students and myself. As I lectured, their gazes would drift towards the world outside. One day, a student voiced his frustration: “I’m tired of all this talking. You just talk, talk, talk all the time.” He was bored, and so was I. I longed to be an innovative teacher, inspiring students to learn and care about their education. So, I decided to transform my approach. Instead of dominating the classroom, I cultivated a shared learning environment.
Inspired by self-directed learners like Thomas Jefferson and George Washington Carver, I instilled in my students that they could take charge of their education. My role shifted to observing, assisting, suggesting, and, when appropriate, stepping back and allowing them to learn independently.
The most crucial change was understanding my role from the students’ perspective and truly knowing them. I dedicated the first month of school to learning about my diverse group of fourth and fifth graders. We created visual maps of their families, interests, and ideas. We developed timelines and wrote autobiographies. I organized camping trips and museum visits to foster a sense of community. I offered each child a fresh start, trusting and believing in them regardless of their academic records.
My aim was to ignite the innate curiosity and exploratory spirit within each child. When children have free time, they naturally form groups to investigate their surroundings, solve problems, and create things.
I transformed our classroom into a hands-on learning laboratory filled with treasures to explore. There were rocks, rockets, petrified wood, fossils, pots, pans, maps, atlases, paintings, posters, calculators, incubators, greenhouses, butterfly boxes, masks, artifacts from around the world, and even a tile from a space shuttle.
Classroom filled with diverse learning materials like rocks, maps and artifacts, creating an engaging learning environment for students.
While there were times for traditional instruction, most of the time was spent on projects that merged knowledge with creative problem-solving. For a National Geographic Kids Network project called “What is Water?”, we analyzed the water quality of a local stream.
We visited Chesapeake Bay, searching for plankton and tiny crabs. We examined the effects of acid rain on historical buildings in Alexandria, Virginia. We wrote stories, poems, magazines, and created murals inspired by water themes. Using computers, we mapped, graphed, shared, and compared data about water resources with other children worldwide.
Over the years, I seized every opportunity to learn about and secure grants for high-tech tools for my classroom. We acquired computers, CD-ROM players, and modems that expanded learning beyond the school walls. The internet provided access to a virtual faculty of teachers, students, and experts. This global network empowered students to explore complex ideas.
Students collaborate on a project using computers to analyze and share data about water resources.
I viewed myself as a co-learner, allowing myself to learn as much as necessary to be a good teacher. I studied marine biology and navigated creeks and marshes. As a Challenger Center fellow, I launched a rocket, experienced a wind tunnel, flew kites, and piloted a glider.
A few years ago, I transitioned from the classroom to broaden my impact on education. I collaborated with the National Infrastructure Information Advisory Council to bring electronic networking to schools, libraries, and homes, ensuring every student had access to the learning opportunities my students enjoyed. I also helped launch the Online Internet Institute, an online network for teachers to learn and grow together.
The goal remains: to offer children the rich education I lacked as a child. A teacher’s most vital role is to introduce children to a wealth of wonderful learning opportunities early in life, inspiring them to consider their potential and their contributions to the world.
Bonnie Bracey, an independent educational consultant, advocating for enriched educational opportunities for children.
Key Takeaways for Teachers:
- Shift from Lecturer to Facilitator: Guide students towards self-directed learning by providing resources and support.
- Know Your Students: Take the time to understand their interests, strengths, and learning styles.
- Create a Hands-On Learning Environment: Fill the classroom with materials that encourage exploration and discovery.
- Embrace Technology: Utilize technology to connect students with a world of information and experts.
- Be a Co-Learner: Embrace learning alongside your students, modeling curiosity and a growth mindset.
This transformation empowers students, making them active participants in their educational journey and preparing them for a lifetime of learning.
