My Transformative Moment

The Winter Olympic Games has always been an event that I like to follow so I thought it would be fun to bring the festivities to my classroom. I set up a bulletin board that is situated at the front of the classroom and had a discussion with each of my three classes that we would be keeping a medal counter.

Changing the Gold Counter after the
 Canadian Women's Hockey team brings home the gold. 

Each time that team Canada would win a medal, we would celebrate as a class and change the numbers. The most exciting moment was when the Canadian Women's Hockey team won their gold medal as it was during school hours. Most of the school had crammed into the front foyer where the game was being streamed and the patriotism was contagious. When my homeroom came back to class we had a formal medal ceremony where the students stood and sang the anthem while one student changed the number.

After the Olympics had ended, I had left the bulletin board up as a memento from the past weeks and as a class we discussed the highlights and we left it at that. About a week after, one of my students asked during the morning routines if we would be keeping track of the Paralympic Games. I was put on the spot. I could not believe that I had not thought of that and my heart surged that my class was thinking about inclusivity on their own. I answered back with "of course" and by recess, I had a second section of medal counters posted.

This was my transformative moment. I had many "teachable moments" throughout my practicum but this moment was so unexpected and challenged me on the spot that I know I will remember it for a long time. I realized that I am spending so much time worrying and ensuring that I teach my students to be responsible, kind and caring people but they have it within them already. I just need to provide the space for them to recognize it themselves and they will continue to go above and beyond my expectations.