MTSU STEM Expo 2019 - All about accountability, responsibility and being challenged!

Middle Schoolers can and must be held accountable.

Middle Schoolers can and must practice responsibility.

Middle Schoolers can and must be challenged.

The scholars at Oliver Middle, Goodletsville, Croft, McMurray, Startford, Litton and Madison made the choice to test themselves and practice Collaboration, Communication, Critical Thinking and Creativity - yes, the 21st Century skills that will guarantee their future will be a meaningful one.

We met at MTSU -Murphy Ctr along with 865 students from Middle Tennessee - K-12 (private and public).

The road to this day and the medals was full of every conceivable emotion, reaction, frustration and exhilaration. Teachers and students were tested every time they met. Doubts were faced, confronted and dissipated. Assertiveness was built step by step. New stars shine in our world...

I must highlight some students that surprised all of us. Who also ended up surprising themselves by responding to this new experience. They know who they are. The teachers know who they are. May this experience keep the path more than illuminated so they continue building momentum and achieve grandiosity in their adult years.

I must highlight the fact the students - without realizing it - practiced inclusion, acceptance, understanding, respect, empathy. Yes, these are skills that must be combined with the 4 C's of STEM to fulfill the core characteristics of productive citizens, scholars and professionals in the making.

The repercussions of the knowledge acquired during this period - as challenging as it was at times to measure how it was being infused and absorbed - are to be seen in the coming 6-12 months. No doubt, this is a choice the students have to make. We as educators, remain facilitators in this process and we believe in our students.

I must highlight the leadership of the i3 STEM After School program - Whitlock, Privette, Williams - along with the Principals in our schools, they all do their best to keep us teachers sane and productive. Beyond thankful we are!!

Yes, my fellow teachers - - we are special, we are dedicated, we are committed, we are patient. We must continue. We can't stop.

The community partners, Vanderbilt and many others - your guidance and support reinforces our messages.

The parents who believe and support our mission. Please continue your labor of love, establishing boundaries, demanding nothing but the best from your children. We are here. We will always need you.

As adults, we remain strong, accountable, responsible and challenged as we face adversity, and this STEM Expo confirmed this. Because in the end, it is the students who teach us the best lessons and confirm... every day, is a new day for learning!