What I Learned In School Today: We must break the mold!
Last night I participated in a mini-grant proposal process within the school district where teachers request funding for ideas they would like to implement in their classrooms. The proposals were fascinating and showed the high caliber teaching and innovation happening throughout the district.
The most common theme for the proposals focused on alternative seating and furniture in classrooms. Requests were made to fund small items like rockers and wobble chairs to more expensive treadmill desks. I was excited by these proposals for multiple reasons:
It shows that attention is being given to the whole child and not just the parts traditionally associated with academics.
It shows thought for students who work and think differently including students with diagnosed special needs.
It shows a willingness to break away from how things have been done in the past and a willingness to explore new ideas.
Sometimes breaking from tradition is the hardest step. We do things the same way only because that’s how they’ve always been done (NOT A GOOD ENOUGH REASON). Seeing people willing to try something new and break the mold of the traditional classroom (i.e. desks, chairs, teacher in front) is exciting! I can’t wait to see it take shape.