When students at Rice Elementary School arrived on Thursday, October 21, they discovered their school had transformed overnight! Students were surprised to find diners, bakeries, and even pumpkin patches where their classrooms once were.
“Today, as the students walked into the classroom, they were blown away by the changes in the room,” 2020-2021 Rice Teacher of the Year Lisa Muñoz said. “They were excited to hear what we would be learning and what new things we’d get to try.”
It’s part of the fourth annual “Rock Your School” initiative hosted by the educational movement energizing the K-12 teaching community, Get Your Teach On. This year’s theme was “Leaders Eat Last,” where staff dressed in elaborate costumes and created cool and engaging experiences inside their classrooms.
“There is NOTHING better than watching a student’s face light up at the sight of a room transformation,” Rice ELAR Master Teacher Bethanie Chancellor said. “The energy and excitement about learning that comes from a day like Rock Your School leave a lasting impact on a student’s educational experience.”
It was all hands on deck to make this rockin’ experience happen. Rice PTA provided dinner for the teachers as they worked after hours to make education magical for their students.
“This is an event to get students excited about coming to Rice Elementary,” Principal John Smiley said. “Our teachers went above and beyond to create an educational experience for our students that they will not forget.”
“As the day progressed, I heard several students say, ‘This is the best day of my life!’ It was a fun day of learning and experiencing things differently,” Muñoz said.
For more information, please contact Jennifer Hines at 903-262-1064.