Passion Projects. Genius Hour. Flex Periods. Doesn’t matter what you call it. More than ever before students as young as kindergarten are exploring their passions or learning about the passions of others.

My passions were no secret to my students when I was teaching. George Washington. Museums. Art history. Cultural heritage. Historic sites. Reese’s Pieces. Arena footabll. Writing. Reading. Learning. Traveling.

Those  came out in all my interactions with my students.

One of my students even gifted me an imaginary cardboard cut out of George Washington during our advisory period once. It was one of the best “gifts” I have ever received. (friends and family take note!).

I am a strong believer in educators making time for introducing and teaching their personal passions in the classroom. In doing this, teachers are modeling a love of learning.

Recently a teacher told a friend of mine she didn’t know how to teach her passions.

Teaching about personal passions in the classroom should be easy. We usually know those passions inside and out because they shape us as individuals. But, passions don’t always need to be taught explicitly. Simply sharing and talking about passions is enough to spark interest, create connections, open dialogue, and lead to curiosity.

Sometimes teachers get so caught up in planning the perfect lesson, the perfect unit, or the perfect essential question that we forget to be ourselves with our students. As we are busy trying to figure out a student’s individual passions, we forget to open up about what make us unique. While we are focused on covering standards, we aren’t showing our students it’s ok to be obsessed something you’re passionate about. It’s ok to be a history nerd or a math geek.

Our students are watching our every move. Take time to make sure you’re students are seeing the real you.