Why I kissed a Goat
As a school administrator for the past nine years I have been involved in a wide variety of strange things to help motivate students to give of their time, money, and services in order to help others. I have been duct-taped to a wall. For five consecutive years I jumped into a freezing ice covered lake. I have had my hair coloured orange and bleached white. My head has been shaved bald and semi-bald. A number of times I have been the target for a dunk tank. This year I kissed a goat.
I have often had people ask me, "Why do you do these crazy things?"
The only answer I have given to this point is, "It's for the kids." Reflecting on that answer, I would like to qualify my thinking.
Service to others provides opportunities that students might not normally be part of. For example, this past November we took a group of students to Calgary, Alberta to attend WE Day. During this day our students were exposed to a wide variety of speakers and ideas that would help bring about social change locally and internationally. The group came home with a desire to help.
With the help of teachers and a dedicated educational assistant, the group decided to raise money to buy goats for small farms in Kenya. As they started looking at fundraising ideas they asked my Vice-Principal and I what we would be willing to do if they raised enough money to buy 16 goats. I replied that, "If you raise enough money to buy 16 goats, I'll kiss a goat!" The challenge was on.
Not only did they raise the money for 16 goats, but they more then double the needed amount!
Students need to know that learning is not only about what takes place in the classroom. Learning also takes place in our everyday lives and everyday actions. This group of young leaders presented videos and came up with ideas for fundraising: bake cookies, play games, and classroom challenges. I became once more excited to see the learning that took place when students were motivated to accomplish a goal.
During these types of activities I have seen students use such skills as thinking critically, demonstrating good communication skills, and the ability to work cooperatively with others. They understand and demonstrate global and cultural connection, they are innovative, manage information, and learn to identify and solve complex problems.
Learning takes place everyday. If doing crazy things helps students give service to others, then kissing a goat just might be worth it.
