by Shanay Healy
Roots & Shoots Youth Leadership Fellow
Arlington, Virginia, USA

It was rush hour, and I struggled to get off the subway train. Lugging two tote bags, a backpack and a tri-fold science board, I waddled down the streets of Washington, D.C., to the big, sparkling World Bank building.

I was there to take part in a symposium called "Wind, Water, and Waste: A Call to Learning and Action." As a representative of Roots & Shoots and the Jane Goodall Institute, I would be leading an educational workshop, entitled "How to Pack a 'Green' Lunch."

Hosted by Washington International School's Center for International Education, the symposium consisted of more than 100 students participating in small-group workshops from about 20 educators. Workshop topics ranged from how to make paper to how to start your own compost.

Once I got through the building's security check, I met up with Roots & Shoots National Office staff members and went through some final preparations for my workshop. Leading small group activities has always come naturally to me, but developing a curriculum and putting it into action was something I had never experienced before.

Throughout the day, I taught three different groups of students from a variety of backgrounds, including alternative schools, private schools, home schools and inner-city schools. As I talked them through selecting the "greenest" lunch items, I felt like I was trying on the shoes of a teacher.

At first I wanted to stick to the exact lesson plan that I had worked so hard on, but as I became more comfortable I learned to let go and trust that they had each learned what they needed to from me. I realized that sometimes it doesn't matter what you had planned, because the students' questions and individual curiosities are what really shape their experience.

Suddenly, I had a lot of understanding for my mom, who is a middle school science teacher. I began to think about whether teaching is something I would want to do as a career. What kind of teacher would I be? What subjects would I teach? What difference could I make in students' lives?

Leading the symposium workshop was definitely a challenge, but a fun one. At the end of the day, as is usually the case with me, I felt like I had learned more from my subjects than I had taught them. They'd given me a new perspective on possible careers! There is so much to see and learn from others.

Not only that, but I walked away with new contacts to add to the global Roots & Shoots network, and with renewed inspiration and motivation to make a difference in the world. And hey, isn't that what it's all about?


Washington International School has an active Roots & Shoots group. Find them in Find a Group and send them a message!