BHS and NIS Teachers Shadow Students: A “Day in the Life” Experience

On December 2, 2025 three BHS teachers, one NIS teacher, and the new middle school literacy coach shadowed students at their respective buildings. Each of the educators selected one student to follow throughout their day. The intention of this learning experience was to gain more insight into a “day in the life” of a student as well as develop greater empathy for our students. 

Melissa Blucher, Abby Brand, Katharina Rausch-Pennanen, Caroline Thompson and Emilee Moseley donned their backpacks, navigated the crowded halls during passing time, attended each of their students’ classes, and participated in a variety of classroom activities throughout the day. The educators who participated gained valuable insight and the students who were involved were excited to share a little slice of their lives. 

After the day was over, teachers shared their reflections:

Abby Brand shared, “I gained an understanding about our student experience, more perspectives, collective understanding about what goes on in the building, [and] hope for what I’m doing in my classroom each day.”

Katharina Rausch-Pennanen said, “I really got a much deeper understanding of what our students experience every day and solid actionable items to implement in my classroom as a response to my new understanding.”  

Going through the day as a student made Melissa Blucher think about how to group students to support each other and how to consider each students’ diverse day when planning her own classes.

The following day, teachers gathered to reflect upon, debrief and discuss their experiences together, connected this experience to the design of their own classrooms, and considered their next steps based on the ups and downs of a day as a Berkley Schools student. This was a powerful experience for all who were involved.