“Classroom Project Proposal”

By: Jeffery Hartley

Arizona State University

March 17, 2019

 My name is Jeffery Hartley and I have been teaching for 2 years now. While I am still

early into my secondary education career, I have done a great deal of teaching in the military. I

believe that the style of teaching used in my Navy career compliments my short career as a

school teacher. In the Navy, we used hands on experience to develop critical thinking skills and

teamwork. We used projects and scenarios to provide the most realistic application of

knowledge so that learners could have a more in depth understanding. These lessons stuck with

individuals because they were so engaging. I left the Navy with a passion for teaching. I am

excited each new day at the opportunity for growth and development, not just of my students

but myself as an educator. I believe that when challenged, students will rise to the occasion of a

new learning style and make the most of a unique learning environment. I believe that

education is too valuable to water down with monotonous work and lifeless studies that will be

forgotten short after the end of a semester.

I believe in order for me to get the most out of my students, I must engage them in a

similar way that I was in the Navy. I believe students will learn better and have a deeper

knowledge when they are given the opportunity to actively participate in the lesson. It is with

project-based learning that our students will better understand key concepts, themes and

different lessons that can apply through their lives and the lives of others. I personally

remember being a student in school. I remember sitting through class each and every day

watching the clock until it was time to leave. When assignments were due, I’d skim the text

enough to do them. When it was a test day, I would cram enough to get an A. However, as soon

as it was all over, I would dump the information. It did not relate to me and I felt it was useless

material and a waste of time. With project-based learning we can re-invent the culture of our
education system and engage students in a way that makes sense to them. The students will

feel encouraged, empowered, and enthusiastic about their learning and in their application of

knowledge.

Currently, at Fee’s College Preparatory Middle School in Tempe, each student is

assigned a google Chromebook. This technology has been extremely helpful in assigning more

creative work for the students. It also helps them familiarize themselves with new programs

and become more technologically sound. However, we need to add a more creative and hands

on dynamic to the lessons. We need a curriculum that is based more around the student’s

ability to learn and engage themselves in topics of interest. While the use of their

Chromebook’s is beneficial to their learning, it is not enough to get them engaged in their

studies to a point where they are thinking critically and diving into their learning.

We currently have 30-35 students per class. In each grade there is about 350-400

students. There are no halls. Each classroom is connected but the students go outside between

classes as they go from class to class. The classrooms are adequate in size, however, there is no

natural light or windows to create a more positive or creative environment. The school is also

lacking in resources and a place for students to engage in project-based learning and activities.

The school needs a courtyard or common area to set up and conduct lessons in a larger stage-

based activity format. Due to these deficiencies in resources and curriculum, the students are

not maximizing their learning potential.

I am suggesting we create a project where the students can identify the key concepts

and ideas they want to learn about in certain time periods and specific regions of the United

States, and engage them in a more hands on learning style. They can then break up this
learning in to group projects that allow them to work as a team and collaborate with each other

and their community to apply their knowledge to today’s world as they know it. There will be

multiple phases of this project. Some will take place in the classroom, some in the Library, some

in an outside setting. I believe this project will give the students a learning experience they will

never forget.