On the first day of school, I issue my students a PASSPORT (which stands for Preparing All Students for Success by Participating in an Ongoing Real-world simulation using Technology) and explain that their yearlong adventure to “Johnsonville” starts today. The school year is a simulation of adulthood where students work, create, and learn about personal finance and entrepreneurial skills. They experience real-world situations and gain insights into global affairs. Students don’t view my classroom as a “classroom” but more of an interactive city where all projects intertwine to create an ecosystem of businesses and homes.
Each student has the opportunity to become an entrepreneur, politician, banker, and more. They are given $1,000 in Johnsonville cash to begin their lives. Students must buy a house or rent an apartment, earn wages, and manage their finances. As the children buy and sell items I donate, they learn math skills along with life lessons.
As they would in a real business, they manage a database of their clients or suppliers, create advertising plans, and track their income to ensure they are making a profit. Students even learn different levels of government and hold elections for positions of power including president and city council. Students can also earn extra money through academic achievements and good behavior.
I have discovered Defined STEM is a great tool to help me create relevant lessons I can incorporate into Johnsonville. The supplementary curriculum provides students with research resources, videos, and project prompts that encourage students to think outside the box and put them in real-world situations.
At the end of the 2016 school year, my 5th-grade students scored an average of 85 percent on the state science exam, while my school as a whole scored 58 percent. I believe my focus on PBL and hands-on learning was the catalyst for this major boost in test scores.
Tips on Awards: One of the many benefits of being an Apple Distinguished Educator and TED Innovative Educator is working with the best minds in the teaching profession. Collaborating is key for growth, not only for students but educators as well. I am a life-long learner, and I want to make a contribution to the field. For the past seven years, I’ve been actively sharing best practices and innovative teaching strategies with teachers across the nation through speaking engagements, websites, and presentations. Both Apple and TED provide platforms for me to reach millions of people across the world. There is an immeasurable reward in sharing ideas and mentoring other educators.
Awards I've achieved: Regional Teacher of the Year in southwestern North Carolina, Apple Distinguished Educator, and TED Innovative Educator
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