One Teacher’s Creative Way of Enhancing an After-School Club

Ms. Claire Gralen has run an after-school yoga club at Jamieson Elementary School for quite a few years. However, this year, she is taking the club to new heights thanks to a Fund for Teachers fellowship. This opportunity allowed her to develop her skills in Southern France and then return to Jamieson with the goal of making her yoga club more culturally responsive and inclusive. 

We connected with Ms. Gralen to learn more about how she is using this club as a way to create a positive school culture this school year. Get to know more about her below.

What are you going to remember about your time in France? 

It was professionally and personally transformative. I didn’t realize how much it would push me outside of my comfort zone, especially because I was in a rural part of France where English was not spoken widely. I was reminded of how diverse Jamieson is, as we have 32 native languages spoken among our student body. I also felt like I got physically stronger and more mentally clear during the two weeks I was there. 

How has this school year been going so far? 

It’s been going really fantastically. I feel like what I’m teaching my students is more culturally relevant since I was part of a large international community in France. I’ve also found that not only are my students interested in yoga poses, but they also enjoy learning about yoga philosophy. There’s so much more engagement, and the students love coming to yoga. 

We had one student wake her dad up in the middle of the night to make sure he would sign her form so she could participate in yoga. And, even on a field trip, students were singing the songs we learned in yoga on the bus. This after-school program is truly building a community. 

What advice would you give to another teacher who wants to get a similar after-school program off the ground? 

With any afterschool club, you have to take baby steps to create the club that you want. It took me a while to figure out all of my rules and routines, but each year has gotten better and better. Also, the Fund for Teachers fellowship was an excellent way to improve my practice. It’s a great way to bring real-world experiences to my yoga club. 

What is your message to the students who are part of your club? 

They have been so special and it has been an excellent experience. Everyone has been so kind to one another. I hope that they take the special feeling that we’ve cultivated in the club and take it with them by continuing to look out for one another as they grow up.