Typically, classrooms and students are buzzing with a sense of energy, purpose, and fun! Each lesson and class would look different –some quietly working, others in groups discussing, some outside working together on an experiment. Classrooms are safe, welcoming places where students feel confident to step out of their comfort zone, make mistakes and feel valued for who they are. Students are given opportunity to learn and express themselves in a variety of ways, and are given time to reflect on tasks ahead and those completed.

It will
be divided into two clear environments. The first one is quite formal in terms
of dress codes, speech, manners, use of language for different settings. On the
other hand, less 
formal setting in which students can participate in informal
activities. In both environments, students will be trained on shared values
like respect, helping each other, tolerance, equality, etc. and in both will
learn to be more active leaders in creating a change in their lives, their
friends, their families and their societies. 

The feeling is going to be amazing, something like  "GIVE ME MORE" 

Because of the hands-on learning experience that is surrounded by what is actually happening around the students' lives, I believe that students will be much more interested and active - physically and mentally - in learning. The teachers will also have a lot of fun and also burden maybe in lesson planning since the lessons would change constantly based on the students and the community. Parents and the community would also actively engage in the learning and teaching process. 

Because of the projects the students execute and the ways of execution, students would constantly reflect on their own ability, awareness about what they can do to influence themselves and others around them. They would also develop the love and the bond with their own community because they are the ones who are contributing directly in the development of the community. No one hates the fruits that they grow.  

For us success is that students are able to work both independently or in collaboration, and they are critical and conscious of the society they live in and take actions and participate in social projects.

2. What is the look, sound, and feel of the school on a typical day?

We could see a lot of posters in the walls with different student’s projects and the school rules (made by themselves). The values of the school are based on human rights and equity. No discrimination patterns (of gender, race, or others) are replied in the school and discriminating behaviors are not welcomed by other students. They feel they are family.

We could see students working in any part of the school: classroom, labs, playyard. There were no doors and very open and big spaces, with some noise everywhere but a very good and happy environment.

3. How would you include metacognition or a focus on agency and awareness?

We would have metacognition questions written in big posters nin each class to use them every day in whatever activity or exam.

We would propose to start everyday by sharing our feelings and experiences the day before in order to talk about our society problems and the activities each one realizes in the community

4. What would the typical methods of teaching and learning be?
We would like merging different methodologies in order to work each cognitive style. 

Moreover, we  would merge sometimes students from different ages so they could inspire among themselves.

The school would make metacognition a big part of the school curriculum by including classes like study techniques, reflective thinking. The school would also have a coaching approach to the teacher-student, student-student and teacher-teacher relationships, where the coaching focus is on reflecting over ones own development, personally, professionally, knowledge etc. 

Q4: What would the typical methods of teaching and learning be?
Typical methods of teaching would be in bigger projects, staring in recent debates in society, questions from the student, kid’s interests, local culture etc. Projects would cover several subject’s curriculum and include linguistic ang cognitive challenges for the students. 

I would include project-based learning to engage students reflecting on how to plan and perform tasks  to achieve a goal. And through these, students will be asked questions to reflect on their learning process. I believe that each teaching method is valuable and has its strengths, but I prefer project-based-learning because in sciences, which is my major, has worked for me. I would include more questions and activities for developing metacognition. 

- I would define success as having students who are happy and excited about school. Disciplinary cases would be minimal. Students' needs are met and misbehaviour addressed effectively in positive and constructive ways. They feel safe and have a strong sense of belonging to the school community. 

- Parents are invested and actively involved in supporting the provision of a good education.

- Success is having teachers who are highly motivated role models and who go all out to provide the best education possible not only in the classroom but also through extracurricular activities. 

- I would consult the students, parents and teachers themselves, and compare it against  qualitative and quantitative information about the school's performance to determine if it is successful. 


Q3. How would you include metacognition or a focus on agency and awareness?

- Consistent application of metacognitive strategies such as goal setting, continual monitoring, self-questioning and reciprocal teaching among students. 

- Being mindful to always tap into students' existing knowledge and skills by getting them to ask themselves what they already know, before prompting them with further questions to help them 'bridge' that gap and connect with the new material

- I also need to be mindful that theoretical knowledge does not equate to practical understanding and should take measures to ensure that my students do not simply stop at theory and are able to actively apply their knowledge to help themselves and their community. 

- I will conduct project-based learning because it gets students to think about the real world problems around them and take action to help solve those problems.