As a teacher at CCPA, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to see how our focus on Design Thinking transforms the way students learn and engage with the world around them. When I first introduced my students to Design Thinking 1, it was exciting to watch them embrace a whole new approach to problem-solving. This process—learning how to empathize, define problems, brainstorm solutions, and then build prototypes—challenges them in ways that traditional classroom models don’t. Right now, we’re in the middle of a design challenge, and I’ve been blown away by how invested my students are. Design Thinking allows for a student’s creativity to shine. They’re not just doing the work; they’re having fun, coming up with creative solutions, and learning from the iterative process. There’s an energy in the room that makes teaching at CCPA a truly unique experience.
Being part of this process has made me reflect on how special CCPA really is. We’re not like any other high school in the Folsom, El Dorado Hills, or Sacramento areas. Here, learning is hands-on, engaging, and most importantly, fun. I get to see students light up when they discover new ideas, and the sense of ownership they take in their work is incredible. It’s not just about getting good grades—it’s about preparing them for life beyond the classroom. Teaching at CCPA has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my career, and I’m proud to be part of a school that truly puts students at the center of their learning journey.
Ms. Bermodes