Dream Classroom by Ashley

Dream Classroom by Ashley - July 2020 Scholarship Essay

Students in the classroom, at any academic level, deserve to feel safe. Yet, in several unfortunate cases, students are dying in their classrooms. These students who leave their homes to get an education are never returning due to school shootings, intense bullying, and hate-crimes.

School shootings have become more common in several areas of the world and has one the most touchiest subjects in the classroom as students everywhere are realizing how normal school shootings are becoming. As a student, learning while living in fear if I will make it through the school day is extremely stressful and should not be normal to my classmates and I. One of the most well-known school shootings involves 20 students never making it home from Sandy Hook Elementary School. Since 2010, there have been more than 400 school shootings in the United State alone. While no student wants to live in fear, it has unfortunately become a large problem over the past years. My dream classroom would have bulletproof doors and windows to protect students from deadly shootings.

Additionally, bullying amongst students has become more deadly. When students are bullied at school they are more likely to be afraid of going to school and will be less motivated in the classroom. Bullies who go to extreme measures can be to blame for over 4,000 suicides each year. No student should be contemplating suicide due to the actions of their peers. My dream classroom would be strictly bully free, and bullies would have extreme consequences.

Lastly, hate-crimes in schools have been on the rise. Hate crimes can be based around race, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, etc., and can result in suicide, and in some cases, murder. Students should be able to feel free to be themselves, and feel safe while doing so. My dream classroom would prohibit any hate-relation words or actions, and all students would be encouraged to be themselves.

In sum, my dream classroom would be safe and welcoming. I believe students have the right to safety and respect from their peers and teachers. My dream classroom would allow other students and myself to be completely focused on learning and would allow us to feel less worried about the what ifs.