Beyond the teachers' expertise

This week I brought in an engineering expert into my classroom to talk to my students about the field as well as what school was like for them.

This expert showed students the project they were currently working on and some interesting and cool images/videos of what the project had done so far.

the expert? My mom.

It was something not grandiose or super complicated. My mom came and spoke about her life and career to my 7th and 8th graders.

The questions they asked were of course humorous at times, but most questions were inquisitive and insightful. They seemed to not only be curious about the project and job because it is cool, but also because they could see themselves having the chance to be in that career.

I am not an expert in every area of life. And it is very possible for students to believe that their teachers know everything. We don't. And that's a good thing.

I used the opportunity to give students a perspective of what their futures could look like. It is a career many may not have been familiar with, but that many can in fact achieve.

Taking the ego out of your teaching can open up doors for students to learn from and create a future image of themselves beyond what you can give them.

I want my students to take freedom from my classroom. What can they accomplish for the rest of their lives from what they experienced in Ms. Meidinger's math class.