“Great educators skillfully create moments and intentionally celebrate milestones.”
-Jeremy Wall
One of the things that I love most about this time of year is Practicum. At the Jr/Sr High campus, we take students on trips that are oriented around awe (because school should lead us to be in wonder of the world around us), advocacy (because school should lead us to impact the world with Christ), and academics (because school should connect learning to real world experiences).
I love these trips.
They allow us to end the year by creating moments with students. Many of the most profound moments I’ve had with students are out camping or on a river or in a difficult museum or gathered around a fire. Mr. Wall has been instrumental in shaping the way that we pursue these moments with students institutionally, but he has also shaped the way I think about this as a parent of my own two young kids. When I think about my kids, I am struck by how much can be communicated and captured by intentionally crafting moments and being careful about what (and how) we celebrate.
As I write this, I’m fly fishing with students. I’m watching as some kids are excitedly catching their first fish on a fly line (seriously fun to watch). Students learn to believe in themselves. They learn that it’s ok to make mistakes. They learn not to give up. They learn they cannot do this thing alone and that community matters. And they learn to appreciate the wonder and beauty God has placed around us. A few weeks ago, Mr. Gehr wrote a blog entry about the value of taking students to Germany to process WWII and what makes a people. And I know that right now, FRCS students are doing ministry and outreach down on Colfax.
It takes a lot to pull off Practicum. I am thankful for all that the teachers, parents, partner organizations, and volunteers give to make this happen. It is simply worth it. I am not sure that instruction like this can take place in the classroom, and I’m thankful for the effort we make to create moments and celebrate milestones.
And I’m thankful for getting to work with Jeremy Wall. He has made me a better parent.
