Listening to Trung Le, my recent learnings from teaching summer school this past summer came to my mind. My students were incoming ninth graders who were “socially promoted” or who barely met the minimum graduation requirement from eighth grade. I facilitated several class conversations with my students about transitioning into high school and their thoughts of a perfect classroom, technology integration and an effective teacher. One thing, both groups, mentioned multiple times was the importance of creating an inviting environment. One in which classrooms are colorful, student work is posted, displays drawings or posters.
I’m used to teaching juniors and seniors; even though there are only a few years difference in age, there is a huge difference in maturity. However, an enormous similarity is the need to feel a sense of belonging, purpose and safety. There are so many ways in which these needs can be met. Le argued that the environment, or “third teacher” plays a critical role in the culture and behavior of a school. I concur. Students are in school a major part of their day. Schools are sometimes the only place where they experience structure, safety, and belonging. If these needs are met, then earned their attention and true learning can take place. This has me thinking about the process school districts go through in designing and building new schools. Do they consider the school’s mission and vision, as Le suggests? Do they think about the culture and behavior they want to cultivate? Do they think about the possible transformation that the design could create? How can they deconstruct the traditional beliefs of how schools should be built?
Empowerment, self-organized, emergence are Le’s three simple rules leading to transformation. He mentioned that the rules might be simple, but the concept of transformation is not. These rules are all about transferring the power to students to make a positive impact in their community or the world. His designs are amazing, and I can clearly see how and why students flourish in a non-traditional environment. An environment that doesn’t consist of corridors or long rectangular buildings, as most people automatically envision when thinking about schools. Le’s mentioned that he thinks about his designs as “think tanks.” Ones that would allow students to play with their learning and provide them the space to become critical thinkers, ignite their curiosity and allow them the opportunity to discover.
Imagine the possibilities.
I’m used to teaching juniors and seniors; even though there are only a few years difference in age, there is a huge difference in maturity. However, an enormous similarity is the need to feel a sense of belonging, purpose and safety. There are so many ways in which these needs can be met. Le argued that the environment, or “third teacher” plays a critical role in the culture and behavior of a school. I concur. Students are in school a major part of their day. Schools are sometimes the only place where they experience structure, safety, and belonging. If these needs are met, then earned their attention and true learning can take place. This has me thinking about the process school districts go through in designing and building new schools. Do they consider the school’s mission and vision, as Le suggests? Do they think about the culture and behavior they want to cultivate? Do they think about the possible transformation that the design could create? How can they deconstruct the traditional beliefs of how schools should be built?
Empowerment, self-organized, emergence are Le’s three simple rules leading to transformation. He mentioned that the rules might be simple, but the concept of transformation is not. These rules are all about transferring the power to students to make a positive impact in their community or the world. His designs are amazing, and I can clearly see how and why students flourish in a non-traditional environment. An environment that doesn’t consist of corridors or long rectangular buildings, as most people automatically envision when thinking about schools. Le’s mentioned that he thinks about his designs as “think tanks.” Ones that would allow students to play with their learning and provide them the space to become critical thinkers, ignite their curiosity and allow them the opportunity to discover.
Imagine the possibilities.