Last week I took our grade six students to outdoor camp. Every year I look forward to this week away from the classroom because I get a chance to interact with my students in an entirely different environment full of teachable moments, where I am the student and my class becomes the teachers.
On day three of the camp my students had the opportunity to attempt traversing a climbing wall. Everyone was excited, but as arms tired and feet slipped it became apparent that the wall was tougher than anyone had anticipated. What happened next inspired me and taught me a lesson I will not soon forget.
Instead of complaining, or quitting each student that slipped off the wall went back to the start to try again. Those students that made it all the way across cheered on the rest, or walked beside their classmates that were still on the wall providing pointers and tips for tricky sections. Not everyone made it all the way across the wall but every student pushed to go further than their last attempt. As we donned our daypacks and left the wall behind us every student was laughing, smiling and celebrating their accomplishments.
So what lesson did I learn? As I watched the boys traverse the wall I realized (not for the first time) that these boys are fearless and willing to try anything. To reach my full potential as their teacher I need to also be fearless and willing to try anything.
Dan Pye (@dcpye) teaches Gr. 5/6 at the All Boys Program. He’s passionate about empowering his students to create and collaborate.
On day three of the camp my students had the opportunity to attempt traversing a climbing wall. Everyone was excited, but as arms tired and feet slipped it became apparent that the wall was tougher than anyone had anticipated. What happened next inspired me and taught me a lesson I will not soon forget.
Instead of complaining, or quitting each student that slipped off the wall went back to the start to try again. Those students that made it all the way across cheered on the rest, or walked beside their classmates that were still on the wall providing pointers and tips for tricky sections. Not everyone made it all the way across the wall but every student pushed to go further than their last attempt. As we donned our daypacks and left the wall behind us every student was laughing, smiling and celebrating their accomplishments.
So what lesson did I learn? As I watched the boys traverse the wall I realized (not for the first time) that these boys are fearless and willing to try anything. To reach my full potential as their teacher I need to also be fearless and willing to try anything.
Dan Pye (@dcpye) teaches Gr. 5/6 at the All Boys Program. He’s passionate about empowering his students to create and collaborate.
RSS Feed
