When you enter a field, make sure it is not just because you are desperately looking forward to earning, but to be passionate about your job and pitching unique ideas to make it fun for yourself and others. It is the best feeling ever. An example is Haley Curfman. She is a teacher at Blackwell Elementary School in Oklahoma and loves her work. Getting to know how art was not a subject offered in the school wasn’t enjoyable, as for second graders, staying creative is a thing that should be focused on.
So, she had a fantastic idea to bring creativity to her class. Not only this, but Haley states how she wants all her students to learn how important it is to stay kind in a world that tries to keep pushing you back. Kaley constantly looks for and aims to include creative projects regularly in her class routines. This allows all the kids to shine and bring out their skills at their best level. Moreover, with such activities being included, classes are much more fun!
Haley used social media platforms at their best to post pictures and describe one of her favourite projects executed in class. It was when she brought her plain white dress to class and allowed the children to draw, write, and decorate it however they wanted. She also brought fabric markers with her to class for the kids. The encouragement the kids got through her act meant a lot to her.
Her instructions were simple, i.e., the kids had to draw whatever they loved or things that made them smile, and the output was simply outstanding! Haley could recall that one of the students chose to pull the Marshmallow Man on the back of her dress. It proved how kids try their best when they get enough encouragement and the freedom to implement their creativity in every way possible. The only incentive the students got in return was the colourful dress full of things that made them smile, and the class environment that was entirely changed after they learned that they had the opportunity to transform their teacher’s dress.
Haley told them how once they were done with their class work, they would get the rest of the time to draw, which excited them. The best part was when Haley walked into the classroom dressed up in the dress. She stated how she beams on days Haley wears the clothing. Their faces light up with pride when they see how their work is cherished and used on eBay. Although for Haley, it is a small gesture to show love to the students and her commitment to work, at the age the students are in, it means the world to them.
Haley’s kindness did not end with that one activity. She was equally in love with the dress that the children painted. So, she decided to bring each student of the class a T-shirt, and in Vinyl letters, she added the word ‘Kindness’, a clear message from her favorite teacher. The shirts also had a purpose. On Kindness Day, the class wrote kind words on each other’s shirts, and they were passed around.
The entire class wore the shirts with great pride, knowing how they reflected love and kindness and made everyone around smile through the words written. The shirts were then taken home by the class on Valentine’s Day. It was a gift from Haley for the entire class. About the dress? The whole school staff and other students loved the dress and complimented Haley. The dress got great recognition outside the school, as when Haley decided to enter a local County fair, she was awarded a blue ribbon for her students’ work and her unique idea. For Haley, the dress means everything to her! Something that she will keep for life.
