I made a contribution to the district I am working in, but also the world. However small a district may be, I know that what I am doing here will spread. Douglas County School District is doing a lot with innovation, mainly starting to move towards a more Project Based Learning curriculum. We have worked with numerous teachers, administrators, and students, most of whom are passionate about trying out a new type of learning. I have also reinforced my belief that I am doing meaningful work in the world that will better impact a large group of people.
How was your work significant or meaningful to the world beyond school and your specific internship site?
My work was meaningful beyond my workplace because education is a part of everyone's lives. I know that some of the teachers I have worked with are going to go on and spread their newfound knowledge. I also have met a lot of people from outside of Douglas County, and even the state of Colorado. Today, I met some teachers from Wisconsin, who will be implementing PBL in their schools.
What did you learn about your own work from your externship project?
Today was an incredible experience. I met with a think tank called Create Something Great, who will be teaching teachers how to redesign classrooms. I met with some teachers from Wisconsin, who came to DCSD to learn what they were doing, and I met with another group of people who are working on education in other parts of the world. I felt truly amazing today. Today, something clicked in my head: I realized that I was in the real world, and that people didn't think of me as a kid, or student-- but as a peer and co-worker. Today, I learned that my work is truly important, and actually making an impact on people's lives.