A dedicated teacher with a passion for preschool students, Michelle Farrell once struggled to create an environment that felt suited for young learners in her windowless classroom.
So much natural light is central for brain development, Michelle said.
So much natural light is central for brain development, Michelle said.
Michelles former building didnt seem to be designed for young childrens first experiences with school. Even bathrooms were a challenge, as teachers couldnt easily watch out for when students needed help.
Its scary for a kid to use the bathroom away from home for the first time, said Michelles colleague, kindergarten teacher Catie Santos de la Rosa .
Michelle and Catie now teach at Highline Academy Northeast on the Frances Jacobs campus, which offers early childhood education in a brand-new school, thanks to the 2012 Denver bond and mill levy. The school supports well-rounded learning experiences with spaces like an art classroom, a music room, a gymnasium with a climbing wall, a library and a technology lab.
Most important to Michelle, her classroom sparkles with natural light from windows and solar tubes, a kind of skylight, and bathrooms with split doors that help newbies to the school feel at home.
I feel like its renewed my passion for teaching, Michelle said. The space itself is beautiful and very conducive for childrens learning. The classroom is big enough, the kids have enough space and I can have everything I need for them to be successful.
Principal Sara Alesandrini adds: This is the kind of building all kids should have.