When curiosity is sparked...

In May of 2013 I was asked to speak on TED's first ever TV special, TED Talks Education, As a full-time classroom science teacher, I am confident that any number of my current colleagues at Sacred Heart Cathedral, future colleagues at Sonoma Academy, or the myriad of other teachers I have collaborated with in a professional development context, could have delivered the same message about the importance of cultivating student curiosity and inquiry. 

Since TED, I have had the opportunity to work with many teachers I would have never met before, and I am so grateful to my colleagues for allowing me the freedom to connect  with other teachers and students around the globe. However, staying grounded as a full-time teacher has always been, and will continue to be, central to the way I define my vocation and efficacy as a teacher. More importantly, it has given me the opportunity and desire to empower my students in the way I was empowered. This desire was the catalyst of TEDxYouth@SHC. 

A 100% student developed, curated, directed and produced event, TEDxYouth@SHC 2016, our second TED event, was a huge success. Topics included Sex Education, HIV Awareness, Gender Equity, Jazz Piano, Building Homes, Racial and Religious Misapprehension, Speech and Debate, and much more!  In 16 tears of teaching, TEDxYouth@SHC 2015 and 2016 have been, without a doubt, the most powerful experiences I have had as an educator. Moral of the story: If you want something done well, put it in the hands of your students! It took 16 years to truly learn that lesson. 

• Pictures from TEDxYouth@SHC 2016 can be access here.
• Videos from TEDxYouth@SHC 2016 will be posted here. 
• Apply to host your own TEDx event here. 
• Learn more about hosting your own TEDx event here. . 

Contrary to popular belief, there are MANY times when direct instruction is an appropriate and very powerful responsive tool. From an inquiry perspective, I don't believe it should come first, but that does not mean it shouldn't come at all. Below is a hack I'm using to have some fun with the lecture process, with the goal of moving me from the front, to the back of the class.