September 10
Changing the way we do schools requires a change from the ground up. All real reform in history begins that way. So, we need to listen to the people involved at the point of contact in education - students, parents, teachers, and school leaders.
What if schools were places where students could...
Enjoy learning,Learn at their own pace, Be challenged at their own level, Where students could complete their work - not have to come home with hours of homework, Learn more about/through things that interest them, Learn from their peers by working together, Have small class sizes, Work in small groups with “experts” in their area of interest, Have small class sizes, Be on the cutting edge learning technology, Learn how to deal/handle social/friendship issues, Discover their passions, Learn without pressure of being taught to the Star Test or other Standardized tests, Further pursue areas of education that interest them, Take any classes they would like, Be challenged without fear of failure, Not be cut from any sports, Feel ownership of the learning process, Engaged in self-directed learning, Move themselves up to higher reading groups and math groups if they choose, Grade the teacher’s performance, Feel like they’ve been let loose in a candy store,Explore their subject of interest, Learn about things they are interested in, Be mentors as well as students, Learn by helping and teaching others, Grow their leadership skills, Individual child’s level/skill, Learn at their own pace, Explore and learn at their own pace, Work at their own pace, Learn to love learning & be life-long learners, Learning style, Learn through the style that fits them best, Learn by doing, Attend class from anywhere, Truly be themselves, Form groups and give back to the community, Learn how to learn, Learn to work cooperatively, Enjoy learning, Choose what they want to study, Learn and risk without fear, Feel free to move around the classroom where they want to, Be involved in his/her own project, Be challenged more, Could explore more, Could prepare them for the future using new technology, Learn at their own pace, Feel free to make mistakes, Create for the real world, Do class work at home if absent, Be included in sports, Genuinely feel comfortable with their teachers, Learn how they learn best, Learn more than other students in other districts, Learn with ease and less stress, Learn and not be bored, Have fun learning, Pursue their own course of learn, Learn a profession, Have a voice in what they want to learn about, Able to move forward and backwards dynamically, Explore arts to a deeper level, Have 3-D/visual interaction with subject matter, wanted to read during math, could pursue a spontaneous interest, Was better prepared for the global workplace, Learn team-building skills and take risk, Create without being judged, Could actually be the priority, Become more open-minded, Could learn languages, culture, and Science, Could interact more with each other
Then we would need teachers who...
have time to evaluate
use the latest teaching concepts and are engaging
are willing to work after school hours
are able to handle multiple learning styles
provide students with different learning options
think outside the box
value individuality
know how to inspire and guide students
are knowledgable about each child's strengths and weakness
care
are willing to put in the time
are excited about encouraging their students and willing to work individually with them
are chosen based on talents
provide a safe and positive learning environment
had real job experience
are passionate about children and education
can handle different but still stay on track
are sensitive to students progress and needs
recognize the needs of the student
are able to meet the challenge
are flexible
work better in smaller groups
can organize and assign homework properly
support many ideas and creativity
guide children through learning rather than instruct
design and create challenges
don't teach to the test (and focus on the child's true progress)
have no tenure
want to be in the classroom
love their jobs
give encouragement
can teach
are freed from standardized tests
want to make learning different
are supportive of change
can teach the academics at high levels without judgement
can teach differently
believe it
communicate expectations well enough for students to understand
are paid more
Then we would need parents who...
are involved and a part of school
all want to be involved in their children's activities
can communicate with students and staff productively
that take an active part in their child's education
are brave enough to allow their child to be taught with a new teaching paradigm
are actively involved with their children's education and supportive of the teachers and their programs
aren't afraid to take a risk on new methods
are supportive
are involved and active
are willing to try something new and change their ideas about education
are understanding and supportive of the school and what they're trying to achieve
extend the learning environment to the home
are supportive of change
support the needs and desires of their kids
assist leaders and teachers in assisting the education of their child
are involved more by helping in any way they can
are there 100% for their kids
partner with teachers and students
are behind challenging their children
support the school
will listen
will get more involved at school and home
volunteer there teaching expertise
can assess teachers' work
can give time to the school
are involved in school and at home
are involved with their child
support and help their children to learn their to their fullest potential
could embrace a new learning environment
are willing to share their job experience back into the school
who let go
are open to ideas different from that they were taught
Then we would need leaders who...
garner local local, state, and national support and can protect a fragile experiment until it's fully developed
assure more funding
provide expert knowledge or their field
give support for increased learning
would support financially
support different learning avenues
are visionary and supportive
are willing to go against mainstream education thinking
are able to work creatively in bureaucratic environment
accept teachers as professionals and give them freedom to make decisions for their classes
understand the different needs of different kids and respect
guest lecture and/or help teach
are detailed enough to implement vision and follow through
are willing to be supportive of doing new things and creating change
design the classroom to support students appropriately
teach the children directly
listen
pay based on performance
have backbone
work after hours
are able and willing to communicate with parents and children
are available
can teach leadership, responsibility, and motivate
lead the child to an educational path to find answers/resources
do more and inspire all the kids to do more
motivate students, teachers, and parents
create/foster opportunities for learning
are willing to listen to the real needs of their staff
observe a bigger picture on a longer time frame
have a passion for education
have the knowledge to actually make it happen
can come and talk
pay for it
Parent summary of their hopes for Design39Campus
"Students were challenged, self-directed, have ownership, and able to discover their passions."
"Challenged, motivated in small class size."
"Learn at their own pace and manner."
"Kids could have fun learning what they want to learn at their own pace/level in an innovative environment while exploring arts and different subject matters on a different level."
"What if schools were a place where learning was fun and diverse, where creativity and teamwork were a priority preparing children for a global workplace. Children could follow their passions in an open classroom."
"School should be a place where students are allowed a sense of freedom and security to create and explore in a self-directed environment."