When students arrived at Fryberger Elementary School on Dec. 4, they were completely unaware that reading specialist Lauren Vu-Tran’s classroom had undergone a complete transformation.
Vu-Tran’s complete room overhaul stemmed from her win in the “Transform Your Classroom” competition, a collaboration between furniture manufacturer The HON Company and OES Office Furniture. The educator had filmed a video submission for the contest and was selected among 21 other applicants.
The companies removed the traditional desks and replaced them with a vibrant learning space complete with a U-shaped dry erase table, wobbly stools for active learners, colorful oversized lounge chairs and a cozy couch for immersive reading experiences.
Television news station FOX 11 Los Angeles and online education news site Spotlight Schools reporters were present in the classroom to capture students’ reactions as they walked in.
“I’ve tried to make it a warm and inviting area for children,” Vu-Tran said. “As the years passed, the furniture became outdated. Seeking to provide my students with a better learning environment, I entered this contest.”
Here are the other stories we’ve been following this week:
- State education officials unveiled the 2023 edition of the California School Dashboard, an online platform that provides a comprehensive look at how public campuses and districts are educating and supporting students.
- The Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District announced its plans to convert Bernardo Yorba Middle School into a charter school starting with the 2024-25 school year.
- To commemorate America’s 250th birthday, Viejo Elementary School unveiled a new mural featuring three panels, with each representing a distinct era in Orange County’s history.
- OCDE Deputy Superintendent Dr. Ramon Miramontes reflected on the contributions of the department’s Crisis Response Network, which was formally awarded a prestigious Golden Bell Award by the California School Boards Association.
- A first-of-its-kind high school ethnic studies course focused on the experiences of Korean American history was launched in the Anaheim Union High School District, offering students opportunities to unearth their own stories.
- The Tulare County District Attorney’s Office says one of its law clerks, a 17 year old who formerly attended Oxford Academy in Anaheim, is the youngest person to pass the State Bar of California exam.
- According to a report from EdSource, school districts are having difficulty in recruiting and retaining superintendents despite offering higher salaries and better perks.
- Orange Grove Elementary in Anaheim distributed brand new toys and bikes for each of its 600 students at a giveaway event on Dec. 9.
- Tustin Unified plans to welcome students and staff back to Heritage Elementary School and Legacy Magnet Academy next week, according to the LAist.
- A new study conducted by the University of Minnesota’s Institute of Child Development highlights the importance of high-quality early childhood education programs and presents research suggesting that full-day preschools may benefit small children the most.
- The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing’s decision to grant preliminary credentials to teacher candidates who receive nearly passing performance assessments may result in the addition of thousands of teachers to the state’s workforce next school year.
This is the part where we encourage you to keep up with local education news stories by bookmarking the OCDE Newsroom, subscribing for emailed updates and following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.