Home at Work
It was never my intent to move around in education as much as I have, but life is funny that way. I officially decided to resign from the public school system that I've waited six years to get into simply because I discovered a school that rocked my world.
The school is part of a national network of charter schools that not only talk about getting kids out and learning in the "real world" but actually build their schools inside public spaces (like museums and art colleges). My school is built into the first 3 floors of an art college where students in grades sixth through twelfth interact with faculty and college students in this prestigious art school in Detroit.
So what hooked me? Aside from living the public schools in public places philosophy, the school's focus is on creativity and innovation by any means necessary. Art is a core class (just like English, science or math) and a class on the Fundamentals of Design and Innovation. Furthermore, the school has made it a requirement that students must do regular field studies in their communities (and the world, if we so choose and get funding) and also develop adult partnerships. These field studies and partnerships are to be cornerstones for the youth to discover real-time problems in the world; and best yet, they must take two week's time to design a solution. In this process, they focus on stages of empathy building (perspective/purpose), ideaing (brainstorming), prototyping, field-testing prototypes, and repeating the cycle while understanding that failure is a requirement in the process of innovation.
Now, it has only been two weeks since I started this job (and it has only been professional development since the students do not return until the 7th of September), but I'm already a smitten kitten and I cannot wait to dive into this authentic world of education.
Posted in on Aug 28, 2010 - 12:25 AM
A new year--a new school.It was never my intent to move around in education as much as I have, but life is funny that way. I officially decided to resign from the public school system that I've waited six years to get into simply because I discovered a school that rocked my world.
The school is part of a national network of charter schools that not only talk about getting kids out and learning in the "real world" but actually build their schools inside public spaces (like museums and art colleges). My school is built into the first 3 floors of an art college where students in grades sixth through twelfth interact with faculty and college students in this prestigious art school in Detroit.
So what hooked me? Aside from living the public schools in public places philosophy, the school's focus is on creativity and innovation by any means necessary. Art is a core class (just like English, science or math) and a class on the Fundamentals of Design and Innovation. Furthermore, the school has made it a requirement that students must do regular field studies in their communities (and the world, if we so choose and get funding) and also develop adult partnerships. These field studies and partnerships are to be cornerstones for the youth to discover real-time problems in the world; and best yet, they must take two week's time to design a solution. In this process, they focus on stages of empathy building (perspective/purpose), ideaing (brainstorming), prototyping, field-testing prototypes, and repeating the cycle while understanding that failure is a requirement in the process of innovation.
Now, it has only been two weeks since I started this job (and it has only been professional development since the students do not return until the 7th of September), but I'm already a smitten kitten and I cannot wait to dive into this authentic world of education.
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Comments
Aug 31, 2010 - 07:11 PM
I’m loving your joy and totally want to know what you have to say to the students, parents, and system you left behind. They will sorely miss you. What insights does this give you into the whole, “charters are killing public schools” point of view?
I’m so curious to read about your journey and new insights.
Sep 01, 2010 - 10:28 PM
Cian: Thanks for reading.
Scott: You’ve actually given me the idea for my next post. Thanks!
Cian Sawyer
Aug 30, 2010 - 08:41 PM
WOW! That’s incredible!!! Thanks for sharing this inspiring post. I want that!!!