Transformations

This project has been an ongoing one that I have been involved in for the past 10 years. However, during this time of introspection and physical time in my home, I have learned to be more creative with my projects.

It is about taking the content material that is important for the kids to learn and then figuring out how to create an engaging learning experience for them. This is the trick and it is not always successful. Zoom is great but definitely has its limits. Each week the on line call with the students has a better chance of failing than succeeding. However, this is part of the transformation. My lessons and the experience need to be more powerful than my in person will. That is hard for me as my enthusiasm, energy and excitement are usually what makes my classes even more memorable. Working without those tools has been challenging.

I also think that the students are trying to figure out how to motivate themselves at home. This works well some weeks and is more difficult other weeks. However, I have seen positive learning from each of my students. Some are working on their executive function skills, some are working on focus skills, some are working on communication skills. I have been proud of each and every one of them through the process. They are transforming into the adults that they are going to be with the habits that will make them them successful and unique in their lives.

While this time is so different than what we knew before, we are changing, adapting, innovating, and reflecting on a deeper level because of the extra space in our schedules. I believe that this transformation will stick with us in ways that we can’t imagine yet.