Where Movement Meets Learning: A New Approach to Education at Oconee County School District
Carrie Johnson, Resource and Intervention Teacher at Oconee County
Ravenel Elementary, Oconee County School District - South Carolina
A New Vision for Learning
In the heart of Oconee County, South Carolina, a quiet revolution in education is taking place. At Ravenel Elementary, Resource and Intervention Teacher, Carrie Johnson is rewriting the playbook on how children learn, one movement at a time. For most schools, a classroom is a place where students sit quietly, hands folded, eyes forward. But for Carrie, who has dedicated herself to understanding the unique needs of each student, learning happens best when students can move, engage with their senses, and take an active role in their education.
Positive Outcomes and Administrative Support
Her classroom philosophy took root in her early teaching experiences, first as an aide in an inclusion classroom in Florida. There, she witnessed the benefits of kinesthetic activities firsthand as she worked with students with autism. Using bear walks, frog hops, and even weight-carrying exercises, she saw remarkable improvements in engagement and learning outcomes.
“I realized that movement was not just beneficial; it was essential for many students,” she says. “Learning became something they could feel, something that connected with them on a deeper level.”
Building a Culture of Movement at Ravenel Elementary
Since becoming the Resource and Intervention Instructor, she has made it her mission to create a learning environment that embraces every student's potential by weaving movement into the fabric of the school day. Her dedication has paid off; Ravenel Elementary’s action-based learning program now has students participating in sensory-driven activities that improve focus, self-regulation, and academic growth. With support from the district, she recently pursued a master's degree in special education to deepen her understanding and extend her impact. Ravenel Elementary is now a model school, proving that movement isn't a distraction but a crucial component of how children learn best. Her commitment to action-based learning has inspired teachers, parents, and students alike, creating a community dedicated to a unique vision: one where movement, joy, and education come together to shape future generations.
Innovative School Practice with ABL across the Nation
As classrooms across the nation consider the future of education, Ravenel Elementary offers a compelling model of what’s possible when students are encouraged to learn with their whole bodies, not just their minds. Carrie Johnson’s approach shows that with a bit of creativity and a commitment to meeting children where they are, we can transform not just the way they learn, but the way they see themselves as lifelong learners.
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