Early Childhood Centers Launch Model Classrooms
Early Childhood Centers Launch Model Classrooms
A classroom at Fred Douglass Early Childhood Center and Perrin Early Childhood Center have been completely overhauled with new furniture, activity centers, manipulatives and more as Sherman ISD launched its new model classroom initiative this semester.
“Model classrooms give us a real-world lab for innovation,” said Amy Porter, director of academic support and leadership development. “They allow us to pilot materials, observe how students interact with the space, and use that feedback to guide future design and instructional decisions, especially as we plan for our new early childhood center.”
In addition to being high-quality, the furniture is lightweight and adaptable to better meet student needs. All the items were donated by district partner and vendor Lakeshore Learning.
Staff prepped the selected classrooms prior to winter break, and the new items were delivered and assembled before they returned in January. The chosen classroom at Perrin belonged to teacher Cynetta Putsche, who was excited to start the new semester.
“The new centers’ features are so inviting for students,” Putsche said. “With the new manipulatives, the kids have more to explore and learn with.”
At Fred Douglass ECC, Colleen Falletti’s classroom was chosen as a model, and she concurred that the new activity centers expanded students’ learning.
“During the first week with the new items, I heard the students talking about science items, learning new words like x-rays and footprints,” Falletti said. “They have enjoyed using and exploring the water in the sensory table and figuring out how the waterwheels work.”
“The model classrooms will also serve as hubs for professional learning and training for current PK and Head Start teachers, while supporting aspiring educators, including education college observers and Sherman High School Teaching Pathway students. This initiative will help establish a consistent, high-quality standard for early childhood learning for our district,” Porter said.
The implementation of model classrooms is the result of collaboration between SISD and Lakeshore Learning. Together, an inventory wishlist was created to reflect staff requests and best practices in early childhood education.
“This partnership highlights a shared commitment to investing in high-quality early learning environments,” Porter said. “We want to ensure that every early learner is supported in a thoughtfully designed and engaging learning space.”
The initiative also allows teachers to test furniture and other materials that may be included in the new early childhood center being built on the site of the former Wakefield Elementary School. It is slated to open for the 2027-28 school year.
“I’m excited for it,” Putsche said. “I think it will be a great environment for all students and teachers.”
