Last April, Envision selected five outstanding educators to receive $1000 classroom grants, in our first annual Envisionary Awards program. Recently we checked in on one of those winners, Tameira Wilson, to learn more about the Experiential Education Program she heads, as well as the inspirational approach to teaching that motivated her students to nominate her for our award.
Tameira has been teaching at Aspen High School in Colorado for 13 years, and is currently their Academic Coordinator and History teacher. As Academic Coordinator, she manages two flagship programs, the International Baccalaureate and the Experiential Education programs, both of which epitomize Aspen High’s philosophy of creating active, compassionate, lifelong learners. Although school administrators would like to increase her focus on the Academic Coordinator role, she enjoys being in the classroom too much to cut back, and still devotes 50% of her time to teaching.
Managing Aspen High’s International Baccalaureate Participation
The International Baccalaureate® works with schools, governments and other organizations around the world to develop knowledgeable and caring young people, through rigorous academics and an emphasis on intercultural respect. Tameira is very proud of her school’s ability to offer this option at Aspen, where approximately 70% of students participate in at least one IB course. Her role includes organizing the IB testing, ensuring proper teacher training, growing the program, and reflecting the IB mission throughout her school.
Devoted to Experiential Learning
Tameira told us the entire Aspen School District is devoted to experiential education (“ExEd”), starting at the elementary school level, where students spend one day each year “in the field,” learning by doing. In high school, the ExEd program lasts a full week. This program has been underway in Tameira’s district for 30 years, and its philosophies are deeply ingrained in everything they do. The goal is for all students to be “active, engaged citizens in the world community.”
Every year students choose from a variety of ExEd options, all designed around their expressed interests. Examples include trips to:
- Inner-city areas of New York or Chicago, to help in food banks, shelters, etc.
- The Black Hills of South Dakota, for a rigorous, onsite history course
- “The back-country,” for outdoor wilderness classes
- Los Angeles, for an art and politics gallery tour
Tameira currently leads the Los Angeles expedition. In the past she has enjoyed the back-country course focused on first aid wilderness response.
The concept behind all the ExEd courses is to educate “the whole student” – physically, socially, academically and altruistically. The experience ends with “reflection,” in which each student evaluates what they have learned. For some, the most significant lesson comes from living and working with a new social group. Others gain new academic or cultural awareness. For some of these rural Aspen residents, the greatest learning comes from successfully navigating an intimidating urban environment for the first time.
Energy and Inspiration
The student who nominated Tameira for our Envisionary award, described the “vibe of excitement” in Tameira’s classroom, where “a wonderful energy envelopes you.” We asked Tameira how she does it.
“I’ve always loved teaching and sharing,” she told us. “I draw energy and inspiration from the magical moment when the light turns on, or the student suddenly sees something a different way. Every time that happens, I get recharged.”
She’s also energized by the constant learning process, and learns from each set of students that come through her classrooms. She’s thrilled to teach at the high school level, where she can play a part in preparing and then sending students off into the world. “This is a pivotal time in their lives,” she said, “and I enjoy being able to make a difference at that critical moment.”
The possibility of changing even one child’s life keeps her going. She knows that teachers truly have an impact on children’s lives, and thus make a difference in the future of this world. “I think all teachers can draw inspiration from that,” she said.
Lead By Example
Her main advice for other educators: Really get to know your students, and lead by example. She is committed to “being in touch” with her students, and letting them know she sees them as individuals. She also sets high expectations for both them and for herself – and then demonstrates how she lives up to those standards, always following through on her commitments.
Her focus for her students:
- Learn to adapt
- Find balance and make good choices
- Be active, useful members of society
- Step outside yourself and take a world view
- Find your best self – both personally and academically
“Foster a Positive Teachers’ Climate”
Reinforcing the lifelong learner concept, Tameira told us that teachers have a great deal to share and learn from each other, as well as from their students. “Just being in the world of education is a great opportunity for us,” she said. “We should take advantage of our support network all the time.”
We’re happy Tameira Wilson is part of our support network! Let’s keep the conversation going. Please share your ideas, requests and success stories in our Comment section. We’re recruiting guest bloggers as well. Reach out – we’ll respond!
Related Article: Announcing the Winners of the 2015 Envisionary Educator Awards
Note: In April 2016, Envision will contact alumni and students for Envisionary Award nominations. We’ll announce our next set of $1000 winners during Teacher Appreciation Week in early May.
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