Spark Creativity, Boost Participation, and Create an Environment Where Every Student Thrives
In this episode of The Schoolyard Podcast, host Nancy Chung dives into the transformative world of collaborative classrooms with special guest Dr. Sue Ann Highland, a National Education Strategist from School Specialty.
This episode is packed with inspiring insights that will help educators reshape their learning spaces for maximum engagement and teamwork.
How can transforming learning spaces foster collaboration?
The episode kicks off with Nancy and Sue Ann discussing the concept of a collaborative classroom. Sue Ann emphasizes that collaboration goes beyond just working together on a worksheet; it involves meaningful interactions among students, teachers, and the content itself. She highlights the importance of creating an environment that supports this interaction, noting that flexible seating and movable furniture can encourage students to engage more actively in their learning.
What are some practical tips educators can take back to their learning spaces?
Sue Ann also shares her secret weapon for fostering collaboration: involving students in the design of their learning spaces. She encourages teachers to ask their students what they need, as they often have valuable insights that can lead to a more effective and engaging classroom environment.
How can educators embrace failure as a learning opportunity?
One of the most memorable moments in the episode comes when Sue Ann shares a humorous yet enlightening story from her early teaching days. She recounts a classroom project that didn’t go as planned, leading to a valuable lesson about the importance of student involvement and ownership in the learning process. This anecdote serves as a reminder that failure can be a stepping stone to success, and that frequent attempts at learning are essential for growth.
I wish somebody would have told me just to jump in and try it. It’s okay to have it not work. – Dr. Sue Highland
What happens when we think outside the box?
As the conversation unfolds, Nancy and Sue Ann engage in some fun hypothetical scenarios, including what they would do if they could break a law of physics in the classroom. Their imaginative responses spark creativity and highlight the importance of creating an inviting and engaging learning environment.
If you’re an educator looking to revamp your classroom or simply seeking inspiration for fostering collaboration among your students, this episode is a must-listen! Tune in to hear all the insights and stories that will help you embark on your own classroom revolution.
Dr. Sue Ann Highland is the National Education Strategist for School Specialty. As an Education Strategist, she uses her expertise in educational initiatives and administrative leadership to help teachers and leaders to transform teaching and learning.
In addition to her work at School Specialty, Dr. Highland has also served as a change and improvement consultant to many Colorado business and educational institutions since 2004. In this capacity, she enhanced personnel performance, streamlined organizational operations, and introduced process improvements that enhanced productivity for companies and schools. She also has several years of experience in managing a team that transforms learning environments for districts.
Dr. Highland derives her expertise from over 25 years in education, with half of those years in rural districts. She has worked as an Organizational Development Director, an elementary school principal, and a school district’s Director of Federal Programs, Curriculum and Instruction. In these positions, Dr. Highland was responsible for professional development and daily management as well as for leading initiatives and evaluating staff performance and results. She specializes in improvement, turnaround, and change management.
Dr. Highland received a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Northern Colorado and a Ph.D. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Grand Canyon University.
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