Inquiry #3 – Why Bike Packing Will Make me a Better Teacher

Being outside always gives me time to think and reflect. I continuously return to nature in times of happiness, sadness, uncertainty, and any other overwhelming emotion. It brings me back down to the ground and gives me inspiration at the same time. Recently, I’ve been thinking about who I am as a person, and how that will translate into the kind of teacher I want to be. Slow travel, without any other distractions, really helps me focus in on what is directly around me. The way light filters through the trees, the rhythm of my breath, and the mental stories I tell myself when something feels hard. As someone hoping to teach elementary school, I think a lot about resilience, and how to inspire kids to try things that feel uncomfortable. Specifically, how to model curiosity and flexibility in trying new things.

I truly feel my most alive when I am outside on some sort of adventure. This is technology in itself. Sure, it’s a different form than a computer, camera, program, etc. but it is technology all the same. The technology of adventure! I am inspired, whimsical, and have a heightened sense of wonder about everything. This tunes me in to the children around me, will allow me to have space to meet the students where they’re at, and inspire even more curiosity. Adventure makes me appreciate myself in a way that a lot of other things do not. Self-efficacy is a huge part of motivation for students, and feeling like they belong in their classroom environment. I would ideally take students out on day trips to experience their local environment and learn that way, but even if I am just doing that as an individual outside of school, I know it will make me a better teacher.

I like this perspective on treating teaching itself as an adventure to get students engaged. I like to think that my style and abilities will change and grow over the years.

I want my future students to understand that learning isn’t just something that always happens in school. A lot of learning can happen outside or through other experiences. I am pushing myself to try something new. I will most likely not get it right on the first try, which is learning. It happens when you try, fail, adjust, and keep going. Any new thing can teach patience and perseverance if you look at it in the right way. By continue to adventure and try new activities outside, I am doing my job to support and inspire myself. This in turn will push me to be a better human, and a more well-rounded teacher. I truly believe that you can learn from any experience, and continuing to do the things I love will help conceptualize that theory for my future students. There are lots of lessons to be learned through trying something new. It’s teaching me problem-solving, that growth often feels awkward before it feels achieved, and that adventure doesn’t have to be far away or glamorous. It can be a quick loop around the neighbourhood with a new bike! It’s very easy to become stagnant and fearful of trying new things. I want to show my students that they are capable of anything. And if my adventures help to inspire anyone, even if it’s just a reminder that they can embark on something new, then I will feel grateful.

Beautiful cedars and Douglas firs from https://www.naturallywood.com/species/