Taking the Driver's Seat

I find myself, after reading "Let Kids Rule the School" by Susan Engel, comparing my school experience to the eight students who taught themselves; the experiences were total opposites. It depresses me. I did well in school but never had the motivation or excitement to answer not only one but two history questions at the same time. I did what I did in school because it was what the teachers required. And it was what I required. To feel good, I needed good grades, not valuable knowledge. I memorized facts, sweated out the tests and then forgot all information I studied the night before. If you do this process continuously then information will stick, but not nearly as much as learning with purpose. Learning to enrich yourself and not just your report card. When I was in school teachers told me what to do. I did my work like a robot. These students in Massachusetts taught themselves. They read novels that they chose instead of novels that were required by the teacher. I find choose and independence have a profound affect on students school habits. I remember while attending my community college my history professor gave us the option to choose out of five historical novels to read. I chose what I liked and I  read the book (instead of going to spark-notes). Teachers still have a role in the school and the classroom. Students discover what they want to learn, find the questions that interest them, and then use the teacher as a resource. Of course, this will not work for every school, classroom or student. Some students need a push to learn. As a teacher I want my students to have independence in their learning and their choices, but at the same time guidance and direction from the teacher.