Breakthrough weeks 6,7,8

This is my final blog post about my internship. I have dedicated my entire summer to my 21 8th graders and I do not regret any of it. While the work came with struggles and staff/employee drama, I also feel I gained so much insight into potential career options. I had some weeks where I would work 8-9 hour days and It did not feel worth it anymore. But then I saw my kids the next morning and I was reminded of my purpose and mission. I want to discuss the theory of transformational leadership, this one seems natural in regards to teaching. I taught chemistry this summer and on the first day kids told me science was boring, or that they hated science teachers in the past. My sole mission was not only to teach these kids chemistry but also to show them that joy can be found in all types of learning within the classroom. I did this in many ways, i shared my own struggles with chemistry in high school. I listened to them when they did not understand and I found ways to reteach my lessons. I saw kids who “hated math and science” become the most excited ones to enter my class on lab days. I saw kids who were the “tough” ones, open up to me and their peers about their personal struggles. I truly feel that with my leadership I impacted many of the students, if not on a personal level I know from their surveys that they all had fun in science this summer. That is all I wanted/needed to hear from them. I wanted them to associate science with fun and joy and by the end of 6 weeks together, they did!! This feedback made my long work days, sleepless nights, below minimum wage pay, and everything else so worth it. I also have had time to reflect on the transformational leaders in my life and how they affected me in different ways. What a powerful leadership tool.