I Didn't Delete

It's been eleven years since I have sponsored a club. I said I wouldn't do it again. I was too old, too tired, too something. At the beginning of every year I deleted the e-mails from our principal asking for teachers to sponsor various clubs. This year, I didn't delete.

When the e-mail came across my screen, I felt a strange tugging to respond. Perhaps it was time to step out of my comfort zone and interact with students beyond the classroom. After a brief phone conversation with the contact at the YMCA, I became the sponsor of the Y-Club at my school. Our club participates in a mock Kentucky Legislative session called the Kentucky Youth Assembly (KYA) and a mock UN session called Kentucky United Nations Assembly (KUNA).

Since my focus this year has been finding my teacher voice, I have been hyper-focused on hearing the voices of others in my school community. I noticed that my students were very passionate about issues in our community, state, and nation, but did not feel that their ideas and opinions were taken very seriously.

This is where my journey with the Y-Club began. I quickly went into sponsor-mode. I recruited students and another teacher to co-sponsor, facilitated meetings, and filled out paperwork (oh, the paperwork), so we could attend an overnight conference. Our group prepared for our first KYA experience, not completely sure of what we were doing.

This conference is where the magic happened. I saw a very real life application of the Common Core Standards. Students researched topics, wrote a bill, prepared and delivered a speech. They had to think on their feet to address technical questions and counter arguments. I saw students transform before my eyes. I saw students speak passionately and thoughtfully about topics that were important to them. I saw students who, despite their trembling hands and tight throats, spoke publicly for the first time. I saw students high five one another when their bill passed the House, the Senate, and then was passed into law by the Governor. I saw future leaders developing before my eyes.

This transformation led to a couple of weepy teacher moments for me. Watching my students stand in the Kentucky Capitol Building presenting their bills was an incredibly affirming experience. It was a reminder of why I teach. I teach because I want to positively affect students'
lives.

I am so glad I didn't delete the e-mail.