Culturally Relevant Inspiration Brenda A. Scott EDU692: Creativity, Culture, and Global Context in Education Professor William Reeves June 8, 2015

The Meadowbrook School The Meadowbrook School engages students and faculty in active learning. It provides students with a varied STEAM curriculum, faculty and school leadership take seriously their commitment to their students. Meadowbrook uses research as improving practice which many schools do. What sets Meadowbrook apart is the qualitatively different way they engage the research. Not only do they access and engage in the best practices, they actively advance research on their own campus through a vibrant, peer-led R&D initiative (Partnership for 21 st Century Learning, n.d.).

The Meadowbrook School location and demographic The school was founded in 1923 in Weston, Massachusetts on nearly 30 acres of land. Serves about 300 boys and girls in junior kindergarten through 8 th grade with 28% diverse backgrounds Faculty/student ratio is 1:7 (Partnership for 21 st Century Learning, n. d.).

21 century skills supported by the Meadowbrook School The K-8 curriculum includes robotics and computer programming. NXT for Middle school. A STEAM curriculum. The Eurekalab(which is a physical place as well as an as a guide for many curriculum initiatives) it focuses on five big principles: Innovation, Design Thinking, Creativity, Entrepreneurship, and Service learning (

Culturally relevant pedagogy Other multi-year, multi-partnership projects address social-emotional projects, address social- emotional learning, the multicultural Teaching Institute, collaboration and special education. These all started with an idea and were allowed to grow through (MIT’s Edgerton Center). The MTI is designed for faculty thought leaders who anticipate the future of education and desire to be conductors of change. The focus of the MTI is on 21 st century skills, future leadership, and innovation (21 st Century Learning Exemplar programs).

Creativity Promotion The K-8 curriculum includes robotics and computer programming which moves from the bee-bots for kindegarteners through Terrapin Logo and Lego mind storms (Partnership for 21 st Century Learning, n.d.).

Hopewell Elementary School Hopewell is a student-centered learning school. The students take ownership of their own learning through the use of student data notebooks. Hopewell students learn that they are part of an interconnected world where knowledge doesn’t exist in isolation, and that building critical thinking, communication, creativity and collaboration skills is fundamental to their college and career aspirations ( Partnership for 21 st Century learning, n.d.).

Hopewell’s location and demographics Located in rural Trinity, North Carolina. This school serves 600 students in grades K-5. A rural school with a robust global competence education program. Spanish dual immersion program. A VIF partner school.

21 st Century Skills Technology ( all classroom offer access to Smart boards and all students have access to laptops and mobile labs. Woven throughout the curriculum is a focus on global competence and learning. Spanish dual immersion. Community involvement and citizenship (Partnership for 21 st Century Learning n. d. ).

Culturally relevant pedagogy Teachers and students at Hopewell are part of a student-centered, technology- enabled, data driven and globalized environment anchored by an explicit focus on ensuring students are on track to become college and career ready (Partnership for 21 st Century Learning, n. d.).

Creativity Promotion Way-to Grow program (student lead conferences with their parents or guardians utilizing their notebooks as references. Professional learning community (teams analyze the results of formative assessments to determine flexible groups, and which students need remediation, review, or enrichment on specific standards). Instructional rounds ( the school’s administrative team and classroom teachers select an area of focus for an instructional round). Smart Board ( Partnership for 21 st Century, n. d. ).

Manor New Tech High Manor features enhanced project-based learning experiences and STEM educatio, in addition to embedding technology within the curriculum. 21 st Century Skills are emphasized and on displayed in every classroom and every project. Manor’s success begins with the three R’s which stands for rigor, relevance, and relationships. Manor begins with building relationships and then incorporating relevance and rigor. Ownership and autonomy are also essential to Manor’s PBL. These concepts are integrated at every level. All teachers start with the state standards, and they observe and stay true to the school’s PBL. They are left to their own creativity and expertise to the projects and guide their students through the process. Teachers strive to give their students latitude in how they choose to demonstrate their knowledge, as long as they aim for the learning outcomes defined in the rubics (Edutopia, 2015).

Location and Demography Manor is located 12 miles east of Austin, Texas is a public school started in 2007 and serves 400 plus students. Diverse population: 55% free/reduced lunch. 48% Hispanic. 23% Caucasian. 23% Black. 4% Asian. 4% special needs. 100% graduates are accepted into college (Partnership for 21 st Century).

Culturally Relevant Pedagogy The broader mission of the school is to prepare students to succeed in the 21 st century’s information- based, globally competitive and technology –enabled society. Teaching and learning at Manor New Tech emphasizes relationships and collaboration with peers, businesses,and the community. Through project-based learning experiences, students develop and regularly exercise interpersonal and intra- personal skills like communication, collaboration, problem-solving, metacognitive skills and creativity. The core values of the school reflect key personal and socio-emotional attributes of the community values such as respect, integrity, responsibility, perseverance and trust ( Edutopia, 2015).

21 st Century Learning Skills Tablets take the place of textbooks and many classes are taught by a team of instructors. Project-Based Learning. New Technology Network. Effectively prepares students for college and the workplace. Focuses on STEM learning using tools like Smartphone, Cameras, and Computers (Kut,2014).

Promotes creativity in the classroom Project-based learning is implemented thoroughly in the school. Manor New Tech High a typical student can expect to participate in roughly 200 projects, 50 per year, and there is a requirement for 40 hours of community service. Parents are regularly communicated with about project work and community service to help ensure good support to students is provided at home (Edutopia,2015).

References Design Thinking: http: // Edutopia,(2015).Project-Based Learning: Success start to finish/ Edutopia.Retrieved from Edutopia (n,d,). Schools that work. Retrieved from that-work. that-work Partnership for 21 st Century (n.d.). List of examplar schools. Retrieved Manor New Tech High Takes Project-based Learning to Thailand. Retrieved from Wardle, F. (2013). Human relationships and learning in the multicultural environment. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education,Inc.