OK high school teacher named finalist in national classroom makeover giveaway

Oklahoma high school teacher Jennifer Childers has been named one of 12 finalists in a national classroom makeover giveaway competition sponsored by furniture company KI.

By Morgan Martin

KELLYVILLE, Okla. — Oklahoma high school teacher Jennifer Childers has been named one of 12 finalists in a national classroom makeover giveaway competition sponsored by furniture company KI.

Childers works as an alternative education teacher and as the director at the Kellyville Academy Alternative Education School. To enter the competition, Childers used KI's classroom planner tool to design her dream classroom.

Out of over 500 teachers who submitted designs, Childers was one of 12 finalists who had their designs chosen to move on to the final round.

If she wins the competition, Childers would receive $40,000 worth of furniture to make her design a reality.

"So at first, I thought there is no way. He said Oklahoma has never won or been a finalist. I thought, okay we're going to put our names out there and try," said Childers.

Childers put deep thought into her design, prioritizing making her hypothetical classroom versatile and catered to students who have struggled in traditional classroom settings. 

"Most of our students here at the Academy are kinesthetic, tactile learners and so they need this space, a multi-purpose space that will allow them to learn life skills, yet transition into a science or art lab." 

While their current art lab is full of respect, ideas and hardwork, the funding would transform the space into one that focuses on color, layout and function.

Mrs. Childers Classroom Design

Throughout the process, Childers used the input of her students and they got to work creating a space that would inspire their strengths and talents.

"Mrs. Childers was our teacher back in regular Ed before I got put into our alternative Ed in our district and our schooling and she had a couch in her room and I really liked it. It was a great spot for me to relax and so I decided to bring that idea into this alternative space," said student Hannah Lindsay. "It's nice to have my input be heard.

Another student proposed an engaging layout for varying lesson plans.

"It will have adjustable tables and stuff like that and we will have an area to learn social skills and basic skills in life," shared Lorelei Oritz.

Overall, what the students were most excited about was the idea of seeing the full potential of their classroom space and each other.

"I am really excited to see what we could use in the future and the fact that the people after me could have a better experience than I ever did," said Jonathan Green. 

Josie Jones stated, "Alternative is for people who came in and did not know what they wanted to do in life and now that they are here, they can just bring in and everything and just get to know who they want to be.

Childers said even if they don't win, these students have formed a connection and learned lessons that will carry on into their next chapter in life.

"This space is exactly what I feel like they need to be successful and to get them to their highest level of achievement when they graduate."

Childers' design is currently competing against two others from the same region to win the most votes.

In order to vote, you can access the poll here. Just click on the link, scroll down to the Central region and select Mrs. Childers' Classroom from Kellyville, OK.

Voting ends on Sunday, Nov. 17 at 11:59 p.m.

 

To view Childers' design and the designs of the other finalists, you can visit KI's website at ki.com/classroom-furniture-giveaway.

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