Jump In

This is the latest in a series of blogs by a partnering cohort teacher.
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By Megan DeGrava

The Fluency Project (not a project) has opened my eyes to what teaching needs to be. When I began with Cohort 3 I had no idea what I was getting myself into but I am so glad I jumped in. I am currently in my tenth year of teaching and I learn something new every day, whether it’s an app, a tool, or something about a student. Since joining the Fluency project I have had the opportunity to work with colleagues in new ways using technology that was unfamiliar to me. I have had the opportunity to encourage my students to take charge of their own learning and to share what is important to them. I have spent the first half of the school year learning about the students, getting to know them, and helping them get to know themselves. We have created a classroom culture that is safe and cooperative. Don’t worry… the classroom can be filled with noise and chaos as the students are creating, experimenting, learning, and growing but I wouldn’t have it any other way. 

Over the last year and a half I have taken more chances in the classroom and allowed for the students to jump in with me. We have successes together and we have had failures together. The most important thing to remember is to take the chance and jump in to trying something new. You will never know if it would have been a good learning experience unless you try. I have spoken to colleagues and the struggle is real to jump in… so much pressure, but if you jump in - you will find a new and rejuvenated love of teaching and learning together with your students. 

Megan DaGrava teaches second grade at Madison Elementary School on Wheeling Island in West Virginia. As a lead member of the Data and Technology Fluency Project Cohort 3, she and her students are currently collaborating as they digitally record distinct elements of their home and school environments, neighborhood mapping, and report on historically important events and places both near and far. Megan also coordinates student learning to build relationships across school locations to form second grade student partnerships with Woodsdale Elementary School in Ohio County Schools.