Technolandy

Day 45 (of 2024/25) Our Winter Market

It’s fun being a new principal with a school – you get to encounter annual events that are ‘new to you’! One of these is our annual Winter Market (yes, we are aware that we are really only mid-fall) 

This is an opportunity for students to take on a project to create crafts+ that become part of a market that we set up in our Commons area. A bit of a challenge as most of our learners do not have many hard deadlines in an online home-based building supported learning journey – but this is an example of how we can help build meaningful deadlines with authentic consequences – if we aren’t ready… customers are still coming at 11:00

Yes, there was some pushback (student voice) about the timeframe for the market. Some wanted it later in November – but that become complicated with other meetings and events being scheduled and as a whole, our in-person sessions are coming to an end… real and meaningful – not an artificial deadline. 

The event was fabulous. Student showing entrepreneurship and I heard more than a couple comments about their customer service skills (shoutout to the teachers who coached them up many times leading up to, and during setup of, the event. 

Busy day, not busy-work. From baked goods to customized stickers to carvings (including my new poppy: 

Students did great – amazing community development and engagement.  Now to wait and see if I won an item in the silent auction – made a strong bid, but got busy when there was a sudden need for another extension cord to augment an area of the event while it was in motion. 

Authentic learning is awesome. Student voice and ownership cannot be overvalued. Looking forward to our next community outreach event!