To those who support students outside the classroom...thank you!

This past weekend our university hosted the regional Science Olympiad, a middle and high school science competition. Our campus was abuzz with spirited middle schooler, supportive teachers, parents, leaders, and other advocates. Faculty, student leaders, students, staff members and administrators led events that took place from 9:00 to 3:00. Faculty in physics and mathematics led the logistics and recruited and coordinated over 200 volunteers and all of the events on campus as well as coordinating with school leaders. Each school had their own 'home base' in a classroom on campus. Water, drinks, snacks, lunches, and contraptions used to test physical prowess, accuracy, and order were backdrops to focused, excited, sometimes silly, and always anticipating the hope of accuracy and success Middle School students. Students worked individually and in teams throughout the campus to compete with 12 other middle schools.

The energy was palatable. It reminded me that what teachers do outside their own curriculum and classroom is extremely important to middle level students. We often hear how our schools are doing academically. (It is a given that we are committed to and work to help students gain content knowledge and skills.)  Perhaps we should also look at what our schools are doing for students outside the classroom! Those teachers who lead kids in Science Olympiad, Battle of the Books, Odyssey of the Mind, Math Counts, not to mention Band, Clubs, Service Learning, Yearbook, Newspaper, Cheerleading, Sports, are the real heroes to me. School counselors, Gear Up coordinators, nurses, assistant principals, media specialists, other outreach coordinators and parent volunteers give students support and encouragement. Those universities to work with after school enrichment programs and as AVID tutors make a difference in the lives of students.

Teaching is more than a test score, and I imagine those who participate in after school enrichment, who are engaged in academic and community competitions and experiences, do well on those exams. When we look at growth, it is time to look at the activities students are engaging in. Thank you teachers and leaders who work tirelessly to support students outside academics!