My Projects: Passion

When we hear the word PASSION, what thought comes to our minds? Wait, don't answer that, lol.

 I have been known to be passionate in many areas of my life, but my students and young people have always been the core of my passion. It is what gets me out of bed each and every day. Knowing that I have the ability to change a life, inspire our youth, help a student, or celebrate achievements is an extraordinary high that I get to feel almost on a daily basis. How many people can honestly say that? I am aware how truly blessed I am to be able to experience my passion in the form of my career and I don't take that for grated.  Is each day rainbows and butterflies, no, but there is so much more positive than negative!

Shouldn't it be our ultimate goal to focus on our young people's passions? If they haven't discovered their passions yet, isn't it our job to help inspire them to unlock their passions and talents. Once our student's talents have been identified, then isn't it our obligation to focus on them, encourage them, and support them during this monumental time? Is this a hard concept to grasp? Do you think Beethoven took four years of science, or did he focus on his talents and passion? I am not saying that general education doesn't hold bearing and isn't important, but I would also love to see more individualized and specialized learning experiences for our young people. Exposing and challenging students to find out how to relate their lives to their learning is imperative for student success. We must listen and encourage student voice and choice each day so they will be successful in the real world.

Two years ago when I was in the classroom, my students actually put their passions in motion and created PASSION projects. My students took this project and ran with it. They were incredible!  I saw everything from one student who presented on the ocean like she was on National Geographic to another student create a fish and chicken breading and compare it to a best selling brand. The sky was the limit and my students rose to the challenge. They exceeded all of my expectations, but I had to trust them and believe in them. I transformed from the teacher to a facilitator and a coach. They taught me so much during the process and the only thing that I would have done differently would have been to have started it the first day that I started teaching! Why didn't they teach me any of this in college? If I would have known how fufulling it was for my students and I, I would have done this from day one! To all of my fellow educators, this is just food for thought.

Now, ask yourself the following questions:
Are you passionate about your career path? If the answer is, no...why not? Don't we all deserve to experience passion?  Passion drives us to be better, if you haven't discovered you passion, go and find it. Once you find it, nurture it, love it, and own it! Go out and be passionate people!!!!

Peace, Love, & Passion,

L. Ragsdale