The Ideal Classroom: A Concept by Lily

The Ideal Classroom: A Concept by Lily - July 2020 Scholarship Essay

If I were to design my “dream classroom”, it would be one that was inclusive and beneficial to all students and their individual learning styles. For instance, some students learn better via memorization and repetition, so there would be flashcards, practice tests, and pneumonics available for them. Meanwhile, other students learn better with hands-on activities, so there would be visual models, experiments, and art materials for their own creations available to help them learn. While both of these options are oftentimes already available in many classrooms, the mandatory learning of both styles would not be enforced in my classroom. Students would be able to learn at their own pace and style, and this would apply to testing too.

As an example, the aforementioned students that enjoy memorization would take written tests to examine their level of comprehension, while hands-on students would show their skills via a drawing of the concept they learned or by an essay they write. Much like the class learning styles, these testing styles could be selected by each student instead of students being forced to take a test in one specific way.

In addition to encouraging and cultivating the unique learning styles of each student, my classroom would inspire creativity, relaxation, and freedom in its students. This would be shown through the loose dynamic of the classroom. Snacks and drinks would be allowed, as would the ability to draw, take notes, or create in whatever way necessary (within reason, i.e. not watching a show or listening to music) during the teacher’s lecture if this helped the student to focus better. Also, each student would be allowed three “mental health recuperation” days a semester. On one of these days, for whatever reason (or no reason at all) a student can take a day off from school to de-stress. This would encourage the student to take time for self-reflection, relaxation, and self-care. These days would teach the student to make a habit of respecting their mind and body and practicing the concept of taking care of themselves, knowing their limits, and acknowledging their personal value.

Once a month, the classroom would host a “Creative Expression and Recreation Day”, in which the teacher would play instrumental music and the students would be allowed to express themselves in whatever way helped them boost their creative energy, whether that be art, reading, composing music, or simply taking a nap. This day would be somewhat of a detox for the class, as it would stimulate their minds and help their creative energies to flow.

However, possibly the most important element of my dream classroom would be its rules regarding its individuals and their interactions with each other. All races, religions, and genders would be welcome in my classroom, and students would be welcome to interact with each other and discuss their own viewpoints, beliefs, and worldviews in a civil manner in order to be better educated about the people and society around them. Slurs of any kind and the spreading of rumors would not be tolerated. There would be 24/7 counseling available to all students for whatever issues they may have, whether it be depression, familial abuse, anxiety, insecurity, or the like.

I hope that my dream classroom can one day become a reality. I believe that the mental and emotional health of all human beings is incredibly vital, and should be valued just as much as physical health and academic education. Perhaps someday this belief will be held by all members of the education system, and the students therein will benefit from it immensely.