I am a first year English, creative writing, and journalism teacher in a very small, rural high school. As a school, we are determined to flourish and dream big despite our high poverty rates in this part of southern Illinois. The students are hungry to prepare for life beyond high school and the faculty and administration take joy in preparing them.
My mission is to allow students to tap into their creativity and allow it to flow rather than have their energy siphoned by trying to remain still.
My goal is to create an active learning environment with flexible seating. I’ve witnessed the difference in student concentration, productivity, engagement, and discipline when allowing ease of movement with small groups and activities. My dream is to bring literature to life for the students! A highlight from this year was dressing as greasers from the Outsiders and acting out the courtroom scene.
As a “career changer” finally teaching in my own classroom, I am especially excited to work with this particular group of students. Their boundless energy, creativity, and willingness to try new things, especially at the freshman and sophomore years, will no doubt leave me with a lifetime of unforgettable memories.
My Project
In my English, creative writing, and journalism classes, students will focus on growing and refining their comprehension, written, and oral communication skills. Together, we will explore literature, the arts, and creative writing. I’m a firm believer that students can be inspired (or uninspired) by their surroundings. There are many charming aspects of our beautiful 1930s school building, however, my classroom could benefit by easing into the 21st century school mindset. My mission is to create a student-led, active-learning environment for my students. It was made clear in my teaching program that passive, teacher-centered learning is a thing of the past. It is unrealistic to expect students to learn in restrictive, quiet rows. Social, active learning, which caters to multiple learning styles, is most easily achieved with mobile seating.
Creating a flexible classroom for my students will promote a relaxing environment, increase engagement, improve attendance, and reduce the potential for discipline issues created by forcing a round peg into a square hole.
Altra Lincoln Multipurpose Standing Desks and Stars Foresee Tablet Chairs will help me make the move to an active-learning, flexible classroom.
In my classes, I will help students break free of the mindset that writing is torture. My goal is to bring life back to literature, creative writing, and journalism through active learning and small group sessions. Flexible seating, including standing desks, will be added to the mix to break up the monotony of sitting still at desks all day.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. DeVisser and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.