Once Upon a Trip to Europe...

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Charlie's Angels: Houston, TX, United States; As teachers, we know the what, the why, and the how of our classroom. Our students come in and do not have to worry about the route they will take that day because it has already been planned for them. Our students trust us every day to challenge them and to lead them in the right direction, but can we, educators who believe passionately in our students’ capabilities, trust them as they trust us? Can we trust our students to guide us, to control not only their learning but our own? Can we “release the reins” and let our students guide us through the streets of London, Paris, Florence, Venice, Rome, Munich, and Amsterdam? Giving the students the power to send us on their own customized adventures will not only empower them to explore other cultures and cities but will create confident student leaders in the classroom. In turn, letting go of the need to be in control and to have everything written down on a lesson plan will help us to learn from our students, to be open to their interests, and to explore the power of spontaneity.