READ: Excellence in Teaching: Enon Primary teacher loves community
“As an educator, one of the things I continually try to do is improve myself,” Jenkins said. “In order to meet the needs of my students, I need to learn how to be a scientist. Right now I am just a teacher that happens to teach science.”
The trip will be off the cost of New England, he said. Everything he learns while at sea will be translated into hands-on lessons for his students when he gets back, he said.
“I share those skills by going through and practicing what I preach,” Jenkins said. “I want students to walk out my classroom having the knowledge and skills.”
MORE: Greenon taking steps to begin construction of new $54 million school
Greenon local allowing him to take the brief hiatus is good for him and the district, he said.
“This allows me to get real-world experiences that I can share with my students,’ Jenkins said. “I am going to to be blogging and working with other teachers to share what I bring back from the ocean.”
The lessons learned at sea will have an impact on his classes this year, he said. He will also use this year’s class to help him build a lesson plan for future classes, allowing the current students to learn by teaching.
The opportunity is unique, Jenkins said and will help him teach updated information.
EXTRA: Excellence in Teaching: Springfield CTC teacher ‘phenomenal’
“I am a lifelong learner and I am very passionate about what I do,” Jenkins said. “I will be talking to some brilliant people and then will be able to share that experience with my students.
About the Author