How Might We?
My name is Angela Corcoran, and I am entering my 6th year in education as a 1st grade teacher in South Portland. While Maine has always been “home”, I have spent the last two years in San Diego, teaching at a new school, and falling in love with the integration of Design Thinking in education.

I share this picture with you… a group of proud learners soaking up the feeling of what it’s like to make a true impact in this world, at the ages of 5–7 years old. Last year, when Hurricane Harvey hit, K/1 students at Design39Campus had many questions.
Why was this happening to people’s homes? How will kids go to school? Where are people sleeping at night? … CAN I DONATE MY TOOTH FAIRY MONEY AND GIVE IT TO THESE PEOPLE?
This tragic, yet real life problem led us to our first design thinking experience with our new group of K/1 students, and it is one that I will remember forever. Using the DT process, students worked together to design a costume sale, where they raised over $1,000 to donate to the community of Port Aransas. And through it all, we were teaching maths, literacy, habits of mind, etc., with real world purpose. I was HOOKED! (More on this project, here)
How might we…facilitate learning opportunities for all students to follow their passions, become immersed in their learning, and realize that they can make a difference right now?

With family back “home” my husband and I made the decision to move back to Maine, where new opportunies await. I’m excited to continue my love for teaching and learning with an amazing group of 1st grade students AND grow as an educator with all of you in EDT598!