CULTURALLY RELEVANT INSPIRATION CYNTHIA EASON EDU 692 CREATIVITY, CULTURE, & GLOBAL CONTEXTS IN EDUCATION DECISION MAKING DR. MAUREEN LIENAU DECEMBER 14, 2015

Culturally Relevant Inspiration Katherine Smith Elementary School The Katherine Smith Elementary School is in the Evergreen School District, San Jose, California. The demographics are: 691 students in grades K0-6 66% Latino students, 20% Asian, 2% Black, 12% other Title 1 School with 82% of students on free or reduced lunches 61% of students are second language learners New Tech Network Elementary School No Excuses University network school (P21 n.d. p.1).

UNIQUE INNOVATION The Katherine Smith Elementary School (KSES) is uniquely innovative due to their involvement with New Tech Network which focuses on culturally relevant pedagogy, collaboration, and project based learning. Their three main principles are: 1) Teaching that engages that includes group collaboration, problem solving, communication, and critical thinking, and more. 2) Digital Learning that enables by putting new technology in the hands of every student. 3) Culture that empowers that holds the student accountable for positive interactions with one another and adults. The curriculum’s priorities are culture and technology. This is no doubt one of the contributing factors that the school has transformed itself over the past few years. 21 st Century Skills The 21 st century skills supported by KSES is effective communication skills, collaboration, constructing knowledge, contribute globally, think critically, learn continuously, work intentionally, and technological proficiency. These are impressive goals for any student. Culturally Relevant Pedagogy KSES reflect culturally relevant pedagogy by focusing on learning mindsets; growth, relevance, belonging, and self- efficacy, using design thinking, and collaboration between students and others. “The learning mindset field is ever growing, and our work with students is not only pushing our children to succeed – it is contributing to the global conversation” (KSES 2015 p. 2). Instruction strategy, motivation, and student cooperation and collaboration appears to be placing this school in the 21 st century category.

CREATIVITY KSES promotes creativity in classroom for both teachers and students by allowing teachers to “experience what we expect kids to experience” (KSES 2015 p. 2). All grade levels of teachers meet to create projects for the students. They ask each other questions and receive answers from one another, they collaborate together and with the students. These teachers engage their students in hands on activities, encourage them to use their imaginations, and allow them to produce. The teachers motivate students to set personal learning goals, not only in the classroom, but outside as well.

Warren Central High School (WCHS) WCHS is located Indianapolis, Indiana in the Metropolitan School District of Warren Township. The demographics are: Over 3,600 students K-12 50% minority, 63% low income population 1.1 Chromebook initiative (P21 n.d. p. 7).

UNIQUE INNOVATION The school’s innovation and uniqueness are due to the Warrior Media Plex, which includes a computer lab, area for college research, collaborative labs, and digital viewing rooms. Two computer labs dubbed “S1-COM” labs, which has many student-centered learning objectives; digital theatre space that allows virtual contact with experts, and participating in distance learning opportunities. Their sports media production studio and Front Runner program is staffed by students and media professionals that gives the students the opportunities to work in professional settings while serving the community.

21 st Century Skills Supported by WCHS WCHS supports their students in all 21 st century skills. They have provided a Media Plex, S1-COM Labs, Front Runner learning experiences, such as a student – run restaurant; state-of-the-art television and radio production studios, and digital citizenship. The students can connect through an internet service with the school named I-Connect, which makes this a technology rich environment. The parents can access their children’s grades, attendance, and behaviors, through the school’s parent portal.

Culturally Relevant Pedagogy WCHS’ culturally relevant pedagogy is apparent in how this school involves diverse students in the classroom and extra-curriculum activities such as their football team, orchestra, and others. Their attendance is based on the locations of their students. They educate every student, regardless of race, ethnicity, or color. The school is culturally responsive in a cultural, accountability driven climate to support all student learning. They have an anti-bullying pledge that all students must sign to hold the student accountable for his/her behavior and actions.

CREATIVITY WCHS’ creativity in the classroom is embedded in their framework. Their vision is to prepare each student to be self-directed, literate, creative, curious, civic-minded, and innovative, inside and outside the classroom. Inside the classrooms, the curriculum defines blended learning which includes 21 st century learning. Their extended learning opportunities program affords the students to be creative as they navigate through rigorous, relevant, and personalized instructions. The school encourages student creativity at all levels.

Wildwood IB World Magnet School (WIBWMS) Wildwood IB Magnet School is located in Chicago, Illinois. Their demographics are: 412 Students 55% white, 25% Hispanic, and 5% black. 25% of students have free or reduced lunches. Teaching Spanish. Choir/Chorus. Internet Access.

WIBWMS is a diverse learning community with a rigorous and supportive school where every student is inspired and encouraged to apply their passions and talents in a global society. They allow and instill in their students to be free to explore the limits of their potential. They use the scaffolding process to teach their students. They are innovative and unique due to their in-depth discussions controlled largely by the students. Their high setting standards emphasize critical thinking for each student. WIBWMS stimulates the student to be responsible for their own learning, choosing topics and devising their own projects. Their teachers promote research and motivate students to learn from their peers. INNOVATION

21 st Century Skills The 21 st century skills supported by WIBWMS are visual arts with multiple avenues to build and practice 21 st century skills including creativity, communication, collaboration, and critical thinking. Their Primary Years Arts unit compliment the core subjects, introduce the Design Cycle, and follow IB principles, CCSS and the National Arts Standards (WIBWMS 2015 p. 1). These are excellent 21 st century skills.

Culturally Relevant Pedagogy Reflecting culturally relevant pedagogy; WIBWMS focuses on individualized learning time and instruction based on student needs. They use time to build culture of high expectations and mutual accountability. They build and reinforce a positive culture by investing substantial time and energy on routines and activities; teach school values, and incentive systems to hold each student accountable for his or her actions.

CREATIVITY The students are vigorously stimulated to use their imaginations to think, create, and express themselves in new ways without boundaries or fear. They are taught to communicate ideas; collaborate on research; listen, and ask questions. Students are invigorated to make connections, visualize, and connect.

References Katherine Smith Elementary School (2015). Katherine Smith School. Retrieved December 10, 2015 from P21 (n.d.). 21 st Century Learning Exemplar Program. Case Studies. Retrieved December 10, 2015 from Warren Central High School (2015). Warren School. Retrieved December 11, 2015 from Wildwood IB World Magnet School (2015). Wildwood IB School. Retrieved December 11, 2015 from\