Amy Brownlee (MA Curriculum and Instruction,’19), gifted and talented teacher at Riverside Elementary, was featured on KTVB news in Boise Feb. 24 for her classroom lesson on reformers, which inspired her students to create “Blessing Bags” for the homeless.
The first and second graders in her class took inspiration from her lesson and found a way to make a difference in the community. According the KTVB news story the bags include toothbrushes, toothpaste, lip balm, tissues, cough drops, granola bars and handwritten messages from the students to the recipients.
Brownlee’s master’s program in the College of Education helped her prepare the framework for teaching this type of lesson to her students.
“I am so grateful for the gifted classes I completed as part of my master’s, specifically all the courses on social emotional development,” said Brownlee. “The classes helped me to specialize my instruction to support the various needs of my gifted learners. The unit is designed to honor students who empathize deeply with others. It gives them an outlet for their emotions and a voice to share their message.”
KTVB Boise Innovative Educator Amy Brownlee