“World’s Best Teacher” has Center on Learning

Imagine a classroom where the focus is on self-pace, passion, and engaging the young mind to explore the world, not just their little corner of it. Every classroom has a dedicated library, the size of the class is small, and the art of teaching is applied – not functioning merely as a business tool to churn out a factory of children.

Too good to be true?

Nancie Atwell has been changing the meaning of what it is to be a teacher for over 25 years. Her philosophy pours into the center for learning that she has created for her pupils, to “give kids choices.” The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) encourages creativity and drives children to discover the real meaning of curiosity and passion.

The school is located in a rural town in Maine. There are no standardized tests, no prejudice on which cultural and religious holiday is to be celebrated – the school celebrates all of them to promote religious and cultural awareness – and the students choose the books they read and the topics they write about. Some may turn their nose up at this unique method of teaching, but the school is sitting well above the national average in literacy. In short, the school is thriving.

Atwell founded CTL when she noticed her students lacked inspiration with the books and essays assigned to them. She wanted more for her students; she wanted them to understand the passion that should come with learning and self-expression. According to the Guardian, Atwell drew upon the work of Donald Graves, a professor of early childhood education, and his pioneering work called the “Writing Workshop,” using it as the framework of CTL, focusing on student choice.

The standard curriculum takes on a different framework within CTL. It’s self-paced, with generous one on one student-teacher time, and the students are encouraged to pursue the research they find interesting in each course.

Students aren’t the only ones benefiting from CTL’s program. GoodNewsNetwork reported that CTL offers four day internships to teachers from around the world, so that they can learn alongside the students and hopefully take something back to their own schools.

“Anybody’s achievement is driven by interest,” Atwell told PBS News Hour. Her teaching methods have had her branded with the title “World’s best teacher.” If that isn’t enough to inspire and ignite educational debate, then what is?

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