Wilson County teacher raises funds for flexible seating to enhance student learning
The solution she’s aiming for is simple: seating options like yoga balls and cushions.
MT. JULIET, Tenn. (WSMV) - Teachers often go above and beyond to make their classrooms the best learning environment possible.
That’s certainly true for Kim Knowlton, a dedicated teacher at WA Wright Elementary in Mt. Juliet, who is on a mission to raise funds for flexible seating to help her students focus and enjoy learning even more.
Making learning more comfortable and engaging for students is something Knowlton is passionate about. One problem her students have been dealing with is the challenge of staying seated in stiff chairs.
“A lot of them stand while they’re working, just to kind of alleviate that,” Knowlton explains.
The solution she’s aiming for is simple: seating options like yoga balls and cushions.
“The flexible seating just gives them a more comfortable place to sit. It also can help with their focus, because they are having to kind of concentrate and stabilize themselves while they’re sitting on it. It engages core muscles,” says Knowlton. “It’s not just this is going to help them. They also think it’s really fun.”
Finding the space and funds for these items has been difficult.
Knowlton says, “The issue is that I’ve had very large classes. So asking for donations for 30 pieces is a little daunting. But this year, my class sizes are down. My first block class I have 22, and I felt like it was a more feasible number.”
Overwhelmed by the community’s support, Knowlton is continuing to raise money and transform her classroom.
The community has already donated hundreds of dollars for her fifth-grade math and science students, many of those kids come from low-income families.
“Last year, about 50% of our students were economically at the point where they qualified for free and reduced lunch, so they don’t always get to see the good things that the community does for them. So them knowing that the community jumped on this and provided these things for them is a big thing,” Knowlton shares.
If you would like to help support Kim Knowlton’s classroom, you can donate here.
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