Submitted by Sheridan Community Schools
Education Professions students in Jill Cali’s class at Sheridan High School (SHS) had an experience that not only allowed them to learn about classroom design but also to have a role in choosing furniture that will be purchased for their classroom.
Dainen Tolman, Director of K12 Education for Business Furniture Co., is passionate about helping educators create inspiring, interactive, and technology-integrated environments, and he brought that passion to the classroom for an interactive session with SHS students.
Tolman spent the first hour of the two-hour session talking to students about how the role of furniture is evolving in business and education. He began by explaining to students how important it is to have a “why,” describing it as a “north star” to guide one’s actions, including how one designs space. Students learned about agility versus flexibility as they considered what furniture they would select for their classroom.
Dainen Tolman, Director of K-12 Furniture, with Business Furniture Co. presents to education professions students about the importance of knowing your “why.” (Photo provided by Sheridan Community Schools)
SHS offers an Education Professions Pathway for students that allows them to explore the education profession, gain valuable experiences, and earn college credit.
In addition to classroom sessions with Cali, students have field placements at Sheridan Elementary School for hands-on experiences.
“We want to show students that teaching truly is a great profession,” Cali said. “I am excited to be part of the program that helps students explore the profession and get a head start on their training.”
Cali said she excited to get new furniture for her classroom, as well as giving her students this valuable experience.
“This was such a fun day for me and my students,” she said. “I love exposing them to ideas that are beyond how they have learned in the past. I want them to see the education of the future.”
(From left) Liberty Coyle-Paddack, Abby Miller, and Emily Will work together on their classroom design. (Photo provided by Sheridan Community Schools)
Tolman introduced students to different types of furniture that were not typical in today’s classrooms. The second part of the presentation was interactive with students working in groups to design the space based on the classroom needs of their teacher, Ms. Cali. Students worked using magnetic pieces creating a scaled model of the classroom and then shared their designs with the class.
The fun part comes next when Ms. Cali gets to sort through the designs, visit the showroom, and make selections that will be purchased totally through grant funds to create a futuristic classroom.
Superintendent Dave Mundy praised Cali’s work in building the education professions program.
“At SCS we want to give our students the best possible experiences,” Mundy said. “We also need great teachers, and I love how this pathway helps us grow our own excellent future educators. Seeing our students actively engaged in planning and thinking of space creatively is awesome. I appreciate Ms. Cali bringing this experience to our students, and I can’t wait to see what they design.”
Tolman talks to a group as they work on their classroom design. Students pictured include Jazmyne Brown and Jasmine Pettit talking to Tolman with Liberty Coyle-Paddack and Abby Miller in the background. (Photo provided by Sheridan Community Schools)