September 3
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...
Explore real world situations, Be excited about learning, Try new things, Design their own learning, Communicate, Have fun, Discover their strengths, Learn by doing, Interact with learning, Be innovative, Learn what they are interested in, Collaborate, Learn in groups, Learn what they are interested in, Create, Make mistakes and not be ridiculed, Grow, Integrate art/culture/music/ with reading/social studies, Push boundaries, Ask questions without feeling ashamed, Learn a profession, Where girls were good at math, Excel to their capability, Explore their intelligence/curiosity/ learn to challenge themselves freely without having to worry about the rules, Learn and be confident and ready to take real world issues, Have creativity - where they could grow as an individual, Do more hands-on experiments as a way of learning, Learn more core values, Learn more creativity, Hands-on experiments, Science labs, Social skills to get along with people and learn from failure as a step towards something new, Have brainstorming activities, Learn the importance of collaboration and teamwork - not just individual work/learning, Advance quickly if necessary or receive personalized support in subjects they struggle with, learn without having stacks of homework each night, Learn that science is creative, Try something new without fear of failure, Enjoy hands-on science projects, Explore their imagination, Excel as fast as they can, Learn teamwork, Learn to teach themselves anything, Advance at their own rate, Made ready for real life challenges, Gain knowledge and experience outside science and math, Learn life skills - balance checkbook - calculate interest, Learn a foreign language, Learn music, Love options, Pick their own hours - go where they want to because they want to, Learn useful skills - law - finance, Pick their own topics, Learn the way they learn best, Explore their passions, Find and practice what they are good at, Create their own classroom, Feel accepted, Feel safe to share their ideas, Hone their individual interests and have mentors to help nurture those interests.
Then we would need teachers who...
are motivated and like to teach not just because they are paid for it but they have passion for it and want to make a difference
are passionate about teaching and understands kids' needs
are motivated
are patient with students who learn in different ways
are open-minded
are well-trained, passionate, creative, and flexible
love what they do
listen to kids and expand their knowledge
are creative and innovative while relying on sound science
care
break new ground and inspire future leaders
are motivators
are creative
are deeply engaged
want to push the standards
have vision
have the ability to engage with each other regardless of whether parents are in the room
can modify curriculum as needed to be agile when working with students and different levels
support different types of learning - visual, audio, and hands-on
are supportive, empathetic, encouraging...letting students know to reach for the stars
can recognize individual student needs
can identify how particular student learn best
know their students
believe in all kinds of methods of teaching
have time to work with individual kids
innovate learning
are creative
are passionate
can teach leadership and group involvement
are creative
are well rounded
are creative while working within a budget
think outside the box
are patient and creative
are willing to challenge the way they have taught in the past
are creative and exciting
Then we would need parents who...
accept difference
encourage student independence and work with teachers to help students achieve goals
honor who their kids are
are willing to collaborate with teachers
are involved
expect excellence
are supportive, encouraging
are supportive to new ways to teach and learn
are involved in their child's education
are supportive and willing to donate
trust
trust teachers/leaders ever if new methods are non-traditional
expose their kids to various topics
support creativity in learning
are open-minded
are involved, invested, and supportive
are involved and devoted to kids' activities
let their kids be
are engaged
are devoted towards their children as well as the school's growth and takes part in making a difference to the community
encourage their kids and get involved
are involved in school and with their kid and give them more time
Then we would need leaders who...
guide them in teaching
deliver
listen to parents and encourage/support students
are motivating
create accountability
are committed in improving the system
understand the basic "building blocks" are as critical as the "new" learners
are thinking about the well-being of students and creating new leaders for tomorrow
inspire students, parents, and teachers
care about building a great society
have a vision
listen to parents
are visionaries able to inspire and communicate
stay committed to trying new ways
are brave enough to leave the test scores out of the equation
are brave enough to go outside the current paradigm
believe in the vision
believe there is more than 1 way to teach
find new ways to deal with teachers ready to retire
can lead by example
banish tenure for poor teachers
invest in excellent teachers
allow for and support change
understand what kids need
can access funding
can develop a plan for a 6 year old and a 12 year old
are great communicators
understand the business environment
is a visionary and great communicator
Parent summary of their hopes for Design39Campus
"Maximizing student potential at their own pace"
"Creativity and passion should be encouraged. All the kids should be accepted, feel safe, and have a mentor."
"A new way of expanding learning."
"A place where students can explore languages, music, and have many options."
"Creatively explore solutions through hands-on learning and brainstorming, making one ready to face real-world issues."
"Excited, self-motivated students who communicate their enthusiasm and ability in real-world situations."