by Kelsey Rasmussen

On any given morning at Smith Elementary, you might find a four-year-old crouching on the nature trail, magnifying glass in hand, studying the underside of a leaf or rock. Or listening, perfectly still, for birdsong in the outdoor classroom. Or building a tiny shelter from sticks and cardboard and asking, “What kind of bugs will make this their home?”

That is the vision behind a new science special coming to Smith Elementary’s preschool classrooms in September 2026. It started, like many good things in a small town, with a few people sitting down to solve a problem together because they all cared about the same kids.

The existing Great Start Readiness Program allows Stockbridge families to enroll four-year-olds in full-time preschool at no cost. The program was expanded from four days a week to five last year. Families love it, but the change removed a full day of planning each week for the teacher to prepare, reflect, and write detailed records required by the state grant.

As a Stockbridge parent, village trustee, experienced secondary science teacher, and senior fellow with the Knowles Teacher Initiative—a nonprofit dedicated to elevating science and math education nationally—this writer saw an opportunity for the kids of our community. My Knowles senior fellowship enabled the applying for a seed grant to fund educational improvement initiatives. Upon discussing with Amanda Mathews, who was then Smith’s early childhood director (and currently a Young 5s teacher), we saw potential for developing a weekly science special. The special would be designed to give teachers an hour of independent work time while delivering rich science experiences to students.

Knowles awarded the $8,800 grant, including $3,500 for materials. With help from Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Amy Hodgson, Stockbridge Schools committed to contribute over one third of project costs—a meaningful investment that signals this work is built to last.

The new special, to be led by this writer, will emphasize the school’s extraordinary natural setting. The nature trail, the outdoor classroom, the changing Michigan seasons—all of it becomes a living classroom. Students will use their senses to observe birds, insects, and the weather, ask testable questions, keep nature journals, learn to use a compass, and watch caterpillars become butterflies and tadpoles become frogs in their own classrooms. (Thank you to the six community volunteers who’ve transformed the outdoor classroom to be usable again!)

Stockbridge has a lovely opportunity here to nurture children’s love of nature and curiosity about the world. The district has beautiful outdoor assets most schools would envy, and we aim to use every bit of them. This writer is deeply grateful to Ms. Mathews; Ms. Hodgson; and district leadership, including Nicole Greiter, our new Smith principal, for believing this work matters and for supporting it.

The science special is also designed to build lasting connections between science, math and literacy. Those responsible for the program at SCS, will meet quarterly to explore these connections. A teacher guide will also be designed for future use.

The Knowles Teacher Initiative supports dedicated science and math teachers across the country in developing as leaders who improve education beyond their own classrooms. Learn more at knowlesteachers.org.