Taking Chances

So much has happened this school year. I feel like a tornado has run through and just thrown everything off so that things are not as normal as they may seem. Our campus has gone through a lot this year, but we've made it. Only a couple months left to go. Wow! Where has all the time gone?

As I sit here and right this today I'm thinking about the summer and how my time will be spent as I prepare for the next school year. This is usually the time where I start brainstorming and planning for next school year, even though this was isn't over. I need to have my path, my ideas, my vision in place so that I can work and get things going.

One of the things I did was take a huge chance! I wrote my very first Donors Choose project yesterday. WHEW! I've never taken the risk or chance to branch out to something like that. It was a totally new experience for me as I sat down to write it.

I have plans to start a Makerspace in our school library for next year. So, I started making a plan. I knew we need the resources for this Makerspace and money is tight, very tight. I did some research, I watched some videos, I discussed with people in and out of my school district. Every time I turned around Donors Choose was something everyone suggested and/or had used for the Makerspace. I figured it was my chance to give it a shot.

So, yesterday I sat down and wrote it. Then re-wrote it. Then re-wrote it again. Then again. I think I went through several drafts before finally hitting that submit button for approval. Man, my nerves were shot and I was scared that it wouldn't fit their criteria or be approved. I kept thinking, did I do it write? What if I missed a piece? What if I didn't order the right thing? So many questions ran through my mind as I sat there letting myself catch a breath.

I went through the rest of my day, trying not to think about it and headed home that evening. Before calling it a night I checked my email one last time and to my shock it was already approved!!! It only took a few hours! I couldn't believe it. Once I saw that it was approved I started to share it. I wanted to share with everyone my vision, my plan, and my idea. I want my students to get the chance to have those hands-on learning experiences to further their thinking skills and to have FUN!

I hope taking this chance pays off. I'm really looking forward to the benefits.

If you'd like to check out my project the link is provided below. :)

Turn Makerspace Dreams Into Reality