To actually come to love school is something no child has ever thought about; but for me, it has become a reality.
As soon as the Innovation Academy program started, the way I look at school completely changed, it is not something dreadful and dull anymore, but rather something positive that I actually enjoy.
Until august 4, 2014 school had been something I unloved and never wanted to go, but since the IA started this attitude has completely changed. Those days when I woke up pretending to be sick don’t happen any more, the complete opposite occurs now; even if I am sick I motivate myself to go and learn.
All my life school been a place where I had no freedom and had to do everything as I was told; with no liberty to express myself. I had to adapt to different classes and was expected to fulfill a burden of work without hesitation or complaining.
Math and science were new languages for me; they seemed as if I was learning Russian and Chinese, while Design Technology had no purpose. I did the work with no passion; only working for the sake of the grade and not caring if I understood or not.
I have been at FDR since I was 3 and looking back at my journey since EC-3 I can see the same pattern, never have I actually felt connected to the school’s mission statement “To pursue our students to pursue their passion for learning, lead lives of integrity and create socially responsible solutions”.
Those two lines for me meant nothing, as I never felt valued as an individual; I felt as if I was one more student and teachers didn’t care. Then, the change came…
Fortunately, the chance to join the Innovation Academy program appeared and I never hesitated on becoming part of this group. Innovation Academy gave me the opportunity to look at school differently than before and actually develop that passion for learning that had for so long been dormant.
Since becoming part of the Innovation Academy, I don’t there is a student in the world that is more motivated and excited to learn than I am. Two days ago I woke up with a horrible stomachache, before I would have just stayed home, but when I reminded myself I had Innovation Academy I quickly got a smile to my face and instantly felt better.
The way IA is taught makes me feel valued as a student because I know that no matter what my opinion is, it will be heard and taken into consideration. The main idea of the IA is to allow students to pursue their passion for learning and create a culture of excellence.
What does creating a culture of excellence mean? It is when every single student gives their greatest effort to reach their maximum potential and thus, create work that if reflected upon, they know they can be proud. A culture of excellence develops when students are trusted to work on their own without fear that they will just slack off and not be productive.
This is precisely what our new class has achieved, we have a talented and motivated group all aiming towards the same goal; that is, to create a culture of excellence in which we all achieve greatness and follow our passions.
The Innovation Academy program has radically changed my attitude and way of thinking. Moreover, it has brought a new side of me that I never knew actually existed. If this has happened so fast what can happen after two years???
The answer awaits and with it, more excitement. For the time being, all I can do is continue to aim for greatness and hopefully, all my aspirations and goals will be reached.