New Ways of Thinking About the School Environment
I am a strong leader and I have innovative ideas. I am the type of person who puts a lot of effort into the work I do. It is exciting to balance on the 'learning edge' -- feeling passionate about change and new ideas and encouraging others to join the excitement. The following are projects that I initiated and introduced:
- Digital Playscapes - activating all the senses
After visiting Reggio Emilia, I found myself inspired by the Digital Landscapes. How could I bring that idea into the classroom space and really activate the learners ideas around the Unit of Inquiry concepts? I started to experiment and develop playscapes using projectors, speakers, digital microscopes, document cameras, lamps, spotlights, even diffusers to send out pine smells at times. The results were spaces that lends themselves to fantastic student-led project work!
- Tinker Carts - promotion of STE(A)M education
One of three Tinker Carts - mobile labs to promote innovative thinking
I applied for and was offered a grant from the PTO to develop three 'Tinker Carts'. My idea was to create mobile labs that could change any classroom into a space where future engineers, inventors, scientists, architects, and artists can create and network. The carts create an informal, motivating space for exploration, creation, building and failing!
All elementary classrooms teachers are able to book the carts. After introducing this idea to the elementary, the carts have been connected to the science lab and the school have now employed a full time STE(A)M TA to promote this innovative way of inspiring thinking.
All elementary classrooms teachers are able to book the carts. After introducing this idea to the elementary, the carts have been connected to the science lab and the school have now employed a full time STE(A)M TA to promote this innovative way of inspiring thinking.
An example of how an early classroom can transform with one cart
- Teacher Co-operative Classroom
Soft play area for the "little 'uns"
I proposed and helped to set up a co-operative made up of staff and faculty who work together to develop a nursery for our young children at the school. My work was to help organize the co-operative, set the space for children aged 0-4 to enjoy, and help to develop the ethos of the co-operative classroom.
A nursery I designed and set up for the children of the teachers at our school.
- Discovery Room - a Reggio Emilia inspired space for Pre-K, K, and G1
A space for the children to meet
I wanted to create a room that allowed interactions between Pre-K, Kinder, and G1 children on their terms. A room where two classes can find a space and time to come and play together.
After requesting and being granted funding from the PTO, the school allowed me to use a large room located between Pre-K and Kindergarten hallways to create 'a space for the children'. I designed and had made platforms to create a muli-leveled environment, including a lego platform, a rounded stage, and a framed plexiglass space divider. The environment was set with areas for discovery - art, science, building, stage, role play, light/dark, and everything in between! It is a favoured space by the children of the three grade levels and is used every day.
Tinkering area with a metal wall installed
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An area where artists can meet and create
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- Outdoor Learning Consultant
The natural world inspiring a young learner...
For nearly nine years I have been taking the children of Pre-K out into the nearby forest to explore and discover, using the natural world for learning. I felt so inspired that I decided to become a Forest School Practitioner and was awarded my Level 3 in 2017.
For a long time I have worked to pass this inspiration on to my colleagues, so I applied for and was granted funding from the PTO to have an Outdoor Learning Consultant come for one week and take the children, educators, and parents into the woods to expose them to the opportunities the natural world offers in learning, educating, and also parenting.
For a long time I have worked to pass this inspiration on to my colleagues, so I applied for and was granted funding from the PTO to have an Outdoor Learning Consultant come for one week and take the children, educators, and parents into the woods to expose them to the opportunities the natural world offers in learning, educating, and also parenting.
Storytelling around the fire...
- Collaborative Art Projects
Creating art and sculpture is my passion. I find it very easy to motivate and promote new thinking in the children through these projects. They are also an opportunity to demonstrate and support small and large group collaborative communication and efforts. They make the hallways, stairwells, office walls, nooks and crannies around our school beautiful, and the children feel like their work is worthy of display in common spaces.
