Teachers, students share what they know at Grayslake Central
The term “teacher” took on a new meaning at Grayslake Central High School on Friday, Oct. 15. The first “We Are All Teachers” Day allowed students and teachers, as well as community members, to try their hand at leading an “enrichment session” to sophomore students.
The two-hour experience was designed to be a pilot program for a more extensive, daylong event planned for next year in which Grayslake Central will open its doors to all students and community members that wish to share a lesson with students.
Science teacher, Katie Titus, created the day as a way to foster the educator in all of us.
“I think we need to encourage our students to not only find but become the world's best educators. We all have something to teach others, but not necessarily the venue.”
The venue on Oct. 15 consisted of 20 enrichment sessions held after a morning of standardized tests. Student-led titles included “Latin Dancing,” “How to Draw Anime” and even “How to be Awesome: The Eric Donahue Way.” The community member-led titles included: “Intro to Investing,” “Healthy Relationships,” “Intro to Engineering” and “Yoga.” Teachers were able to teach outside of their normal subject area with sessions like “Intro to Digital Photography,” “Guide to Ultimate Frisbee” and “Intro to Guitar.”
Student reaction was positive.
Sophomore, Heather Pimpo, described her experience with community member Joyce Campbell (who taught about the “FISH philosophy”), saying “This was a very enlightening experience. It made me want to continue to live a positive life.”
Students that taught a session enjoyed the experience as well.
Senior Eric Donahue, (of “How to be Awesome” fame) explained, “I felt so grateful to even have the opportunity to share what I have learned in my life with younger students.”
“Although this was the first year our school has put on this event, it was neither the beginning nor the end of everyone's educational experience,” Titus said. “No lessons that occurred at GCHS today were different than what occurs every day outside of GCHS; we just provided the venue for everyone to share their lessons with each other. In the end it is very empowering to know that ‘We Are All Teachers.'”
Perhaps there is no place better than school to teach you that school is not the only place you can learn.