Culturally Relevant Inspiration By: Michelle Zumba

Three Schools that are Inspiration  AIM Academy  Discovery Day Academy  Lancaster Academy of Finance

The schools are reviewed for  innovative and/or unique  21st century skills supported by the school or program  how the learning experiences reflect culturally relevant pedagogy  how the school and/or program promotes creativity in the classroom for both teachers and student

AIM Academy   Located in Conshohocken, PA (near Philadelphia)  Grades 1-12 students with learning disabilities.  The school is innovative and unique by not using standard books for teaching. The learning based around discussion. This allows for student to develop life skills such as dialoguing, conversation, presentation are threaded through content mastery. The have a focus week twice a year when students delve into their chosen interdisciplinary projects. The faculty create project themes and ideas, complete with field trips, guest speaker, and presentations at the end of the week where students share what they have learned (P21.org)

AIM Academy  The 21-st skills that are supported are:  Learning and Innovation Skills: the school uses creativity and innovation in the classroom and with the projects. They are using communication and collaboration in the discussion and project presentation.  Information, Media and Technology Skills: through the use of media and technology students are able to develop projects  Life and Career Skills: through the lessons they are developing leadership skills and responsibility. They are becoming social and self-directed.

AIM Academy  culturally relevant pedagogy is being used through the students deciding what interdisciplinary projects they want to participate in. The classes are structured around the students way of learning  school and/or program promotes creativity in the classroom for both teachers and student: this is completed through teachers creating ideas of projects and letting the students pick and create the project the way they see it. The teachers and students are being creative in the lesson plan as well as the end result.

Discovery Day Academy   located in Bonita Springs, FL  preschool – grade 1  The school is unique by it uses a research-based experiential learning curriculum called The Discovery Method (P21.org). The school uses the children’s natural curiosity, play, and persistence to delve deeper into research and experiences to learn rather than the traditional approach to learning.

Discovery Day Academy  The 21-st skills that are supported are:  Content Knowledge and 21st Century Themes: through the use of research they are developing global awareness  Learning and Innovation Skills: using creativity and critical thinking for research and discovery.  Culturally relevant pedagogy is used in the class through the use of the students natural sense of learning and curiosity. It takes them into life lessons at an early age which influences their learning throughout school.

Discovery Day Academy  School and/or program promotes creativity in the classroom for both teachers and student:  This is done through the teacher reaching out to the community to help show the students different ways of looking at an item. Rather than just seeing a cookie they learn how to break it down and how to make it. This can be done through stories and hands on approach combined.

Lancaster Academy of Finance   Lancaster, NY  The school is for students of Lancaster High School in 10th grade. (Students must apply as a Freshman)  The school is unique because it provides lessons on finances, has it own student ran bank, and teaches the students information usually not taught until they are in college. The classes consist of Principles of Finance, Accounting, Financial Planning, and Financial Literacy alongside practical studies in keyboarding and Microsoft Office certification along with the core high school curriculum (P21.org). The school is centered on the information needed for students who want to obtain a career in the finance world.

Lancaster Academy of Finance  The 21-st skills that are supported are:  Content Knowledge and 21st Century Themes: mathematics, financial and economics classes provide content knowledge the students will use throughout life.  Learning and Innovation Skills: the students talk to freshman and other teachers which promotes communication.  Life and Career Skills: the school is designed to promotes careers in the financial field.

Lancaster Academy of Finance  culturally relevant pedagogy is used through having a school based around the choses career path of the students. Providing a bank within the school for hands on training. And through the students talking to freshman and teachers of the importance of having saving and credit awareness.  program promotes creativity in the classroom for both teachers and students: this is done by job shadows, a mock interview competition, volunteer opportunities, and paid and unpaid internships with local businesses through the school.