End of Week 1: Unexpected Observations

Hello all!

Over the last few days, I've taken in a ton of information and have really been trying to focus on connecting it to my observations. Although not easy, I've been trying my best.

During my observations at Highline Academy, I've noticed something that I haven't noticed at any of our other school tours or visits. To me, Highline stands out because of it's building layout.

Highline is structured in a way so that each grade has two classrooms, typically side by side. Then, moving counter-clockwise around the building, grade levels increase respectively. So, in the shape of a square or rectangle, you start with kindergarten and end with 8th grade. Initially, I didn't think anything of this kind of layout. Then watching students move from class to class, I began to see this structure as one systemic chain. Some may think this design is a bit too structured for elementary and middle school grades, but I think this simply portrays an educational journey. To me, I think this layout promotes overcoming obstacles and moving up the chain, kind of like how life is (ideally). I think this structure also promotes an inclusive culture because doors are typically always open and students move in and out as they need. Another interesting thing I picked up on at Highline is the fact that rooms are named after innovative, inspirational historical figures like Jane Goodall, Frederick Douglass, and Gandhi. To me, this interesting aspect of the layout encourages well rounded character and respect of diversity within the school.

I think all of these innovative features in the structure at Highline are special to the school and support all of their students' learning. Because impoverished students seem to be the highlight of the week with our experience with public transportation and our "Poverty 101" training with DPS Homeless Liaison, Jackie Bell, I can't help but consider how this structure is beneficial to the FRL (Free and Reduced Lunch) students at Highline. Ultimately, I think this layout is valuable and advantageous for HA's students in poverty because it provides structure, consistency, inclusion, and diversity. These elements are important to have in schools because they endorse safety, love/belonging, esteem, and self-actualization, all of which are part of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs for impoverished students' success (Bell, 2014).

Overall, I believe this is a great start for helping their students in poverty. As I observed during Highline's PD (Professional Develoment), most teachers are solely concerned with getting their children to read at grade level or perform as well as their peers. Based on the readings and guests I've learned from this past week, I know the best way to get those kids to perform academically is to care about them and support them in every way possible. So with a little more training, resources, and perspective, I think Highline could be on their way to providing their FRL students with the appropriate tools, resources, and skills to become just as successful as their well-off counterparts. As Michael from Eagle Rock School and Professional Development Center said, "Relationship is key... Understanding home can help you understand learning style," (Soguero, 2014). If the true goal of education is to educate all children then schools must understand how to address and support those struggling. After all, as Ravitch states, "... social goals require social collaboration... If we mean to conquer educational inequity, we must recognize.. segregation and poverty..." (Ravitch, 2013).
Although I think Highline has more work to do with understanding and SEL (Social and Emotional Learning) for all of their students', I am surprised and even a bit content with the little things the school has/does, like their school layout, and the impact they have on their impoverished students' educational success.

Though small and kind of hard to discover, I think innovations like this are what we're looking for. We just have to look between the lines to find them.


Best,
Acelynn

Bell, J. (2014) Poverty 101 Institute for Colorado College. Highline Academy Northeast Campus. Denver, Colorado.
Solguero, M. (2014). Eagle Rock School and Professional Development Center. Denver, Colorado.
Ravitch, D. (2013). Reign of error: The hoax of the privatization movement and the danger to America's public    schools (First edition.). New York: Alfred A. Knopf.