Day of Outside-of-the-Box Lessons at The Epstein School

A collective “Best Day Ever!” was heard from near and far as students left The Epstein School on a chilly Tuesday in February — the day officially known as Rock Your School Day.

Throughout the day of learning, students had the opportunity to engage in out-of-this-world fun and games. Serving as a national day of creative instruction, Rock Your School is a program available through Get Your Teach On, a strategic classroom growth initiative that inspires and energizes educators.

“Teaching students through a global pandemic has been challenging, rewarding, ever-changing and an opportunity to grow,” said Epstein fifth-grade teacher and Rock Your School Coordinator Ali Clement. “Get Your Teach On is a collaboration of educators that empowers, motivates and inspires teachers to create dynamic lessons that challenge students; they offer a unique conference experience for Kindergarten through 12th-grade teachers and administrators.”

When Epstein students returned from their President’s Day break, they were greeted at carpool with teachers dressed in costume, with music and palpable excitement in the air. Neither the students nor their parents had any knowledge of the day’s plans.

First-grade students Zac Gruenhut and Mitchell Konter playing a game of life-size Candyland with Epstein teacher Susan Kolevsohn.

Teachers were encouraged to craft unique learning experiences for their students in order to fully engage them in learning while doing something completely out of the ordinary.

“Team Get Your Teach On shares their passion and enthusiasm for education including tips, tricks, best practices and teacher-secrets for building successful, engaging and rigorous classrooms,” Clement said.

Teachers and administrators transformed their rooms, inspiring students by playing games or participating in imaginative projects, inviting guest speakers and more — all while engaged in challenging learning activities.

The creativity at Epstein ranged from an under-the-sea experience to a live barnyard, from an escape room to a life-sized board game. Each teacher received a stipend through the school’s Merlin Innovation Grant to “rock their classroom” and each used their creativity to bring their subjects to life.

“Rock Your School is promoted by the Get Your Teach On Team annually,” Clement said. “It is typically a specific day that they choose when educators from across the country join the movement and create a day of out-of-the-box learning experiences for their students,” she continued. “It’s a day where teachers reignite their passion for what they do. And it’s a day for all students to remember that learning is fun!”

For more information on Get Your Teach On, please visit https://www.getyourteachon.com/. Specific information about Rock Your School can be found at https://www.getyourteachon.com/rock-your-school.

For more information about Rock Your School at The Epstein School, please contact Lani Ashner, director of strategic marketing & communications, at 404.250.5625 or Lani.Ashner@EpsteinAtlanta.org or Alison.Clement@EpsteinAtlanta.org.