Beyond Traditional: The Micro School

Let’s talk about teachers. Whether they have four or thirty students in a class, all teachers strive to understand their students and to make them successful. It’s amazing the ripple effect that occurs when we give teachers a significantly smaller class of students. (We are talking about approximately 5:1). In the micro environment, teachers are given more time and flexibility to meet the needs of each student. They are able to personalize the curriculum and take time to dig deep into multi-subject projects. Fostering this ripple effect sets students up to be confident and curious. Accomplishing this love of learning is a sign of a successful teacher settled in an ideal environment. The micro school environment ripple effect. (c) 2017 Melonie Schulze As we begin our micro school, and the selection of teachers, it is critical to value this teacher student collaboration. 

When my grandparents went to primary school, they hiked for miles along a dirt road to a one room schoolhouse. They were greeted by the solo teacher and their peers that ranged in ages from five to fifteen. Lessons were presented and applied to all levels, and students collaborated their learning experience. It’s now 2017, and each day I drop my kids off at the front of their public school comprised of seven grades (transitional kindergarten or TK, kindergarten, and first through fifth). All of the students are divided by grades, except the occasional dual grade combo class. My first grader has 26 students in her class, my second grader has 23, and my other second grader is in a second/third combo class of 24. Each class is assigned one teacher, and if funding allows they have a part time para as well. The para aids the teacher but doesn’t “teach lessons.” In addition to the core curriculum, they do PE (think jumping jacks, crab soccer, capture the flag) twice a week, science and ...