Amy DeCelle, a second grade teacher at Tropical Elementary, has transformed her classroom into a hands-on learning environment using over $7,000 in grants over four years. Her classroom is filled with opportunities for hands-on learning, including using computers for math games, bean bag chairs for reading, and flip books, posters, and checklists. While Amy has advanced degrees and could pursue higher-paying administrative positions, her passion remains teaching in the classroom where she sees measurable improvements in student performance. The grants allow her to teach in non-traditional ways and carefully track student progress. Her behavior modification system, also funded by grants, applies a rubric to help students take responsibility for their own behavior.

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Amy DeCelle, a second grade teacherat Tropical Elementary, has used her more
than $7,000 in grants over the past four years to transform her classroominto
a hands-on environment that helps young learners enjoy schooland improve
their FCAT scores.Evidence of her investments are visible throughout hercolorful
classroom, from sticky notes to help students learn how to use lists as reminders to
fun books individualized to each reading level. Every corner of her room explodes
with hands-on opportunities for her students to learn. In one area, students use
computer games to hone math skills, while in anotherbean bag chairs in a reading
nook allow kids to enjoy quiet times with level-appropriate books they choose.Flip
books that teach vocabulary, posters that promote positive character traits and check
lists that help each student remember clear expectations for performance abound in
this haven of learning and sharing.
As a national board certified teacher with a master’s degree and a doctorate degree
in progress,Amy could easily pursue a higher-paying administrative position. Her
passion,however, remains in the classroom, where she sees measureable results
every day.
“The Broward Education Foundation grants allow me to teach outside of the box,”
she said, pointing out that all of her projects are research-based and allow her to
carefully track each student’s progress.
Correlating books to current events is one project Amy has been able to accomplish
thanks to the grant support.Duck for President and Bad Kitty for President, for
example, helped her second graders relate to election time.
Perhaps her greatest source of pride is the behavior of her students.While other
students dash in mass to the cafeteria line, hers move in step quietly and orderly.
Words of respect and politeness,never outbursts,are heard in her classroom. Her
behavior modification program, also funded with grant dollars, applies a rubric
systemof expectations whereby students earn or lose points daily based on their
behavior.
“Everyone deserves to learn from choices,” Amy explained. “In my classroom they
take control of their own behavior. Incentives directly correlate to positive behavior
and the responsibility is put on the child, not the teacher.”
Whateverproject grant funds support,according to Amy, the key is to create
sustainable activities and hands-on learning.
“It’s not about just one amazing project,” she said. “Good effective teachers know
how to use items to benefit more than one group of children on an on-going basis.
“BEF grants allow us to buy materials for hands-on learning and allow students to
take ownership of their own learning. I am so grateful for this support.”