The Search for an Integrated Curriculum
Becoming a New Teacher at TSS
By Ashley Bryan | STEM Teacher
Learning is Naturally Interdisciplinary
As adults, we recognize that subjects taught in school are interdisciplinary and not truly isolated from one another. Science is deeply connected to history, as seen in the space race of the 1950s. Literacy skills are essential for analyzing real-world problems and applying mathematical solutions. Focusing solely on the scientific aspects of climate change, like rising temperatures, overlooks crucial social, economic, and psychological impacts.
Despite this reality, traditional education separates content areas to allow students to focus on specific subjects. While this structure has its merits, it often leads students to compartmentalize their learning. An integrated curriculum is key to making sure students understand the interdisciplinary nature of our world.
My Journey to The Sycamore School
Though I am not new to teaching—now entering my eleventh year in the profession—I am a newer staff member at The Sycamore School. Before joining The Sycamore School, I had the opportunity to work in a variety of educational settings: traditional private schools, large public schools, and even district-level to work on curriculum development. I followed a state-mandated curriculum, designed courses from scratch, and taught classes ranging from 10 to 35 students.
When asked why I chose this career, my answer has always been the same: to help students discover the excitement of learning and inspire them to become lifelong learners.
My parents, both educators, modeled the transformative power of education. I watched them ignite passions and open doors for their students. It took me a while to fully understand why everyone always said they were such great teachers. While they had strong content knowledge, their true strength lay in crafting a diverse curriculum that met each student’s needs and interests. From them, I also learned how much effort and dedication this approach requires—a challenge I was eager to take on!
The Challenge of Content-Driven Constraints
Over the years, I noticed that students struggled to see the relevance of math skills in science class or to apply persuasive writing techniques when crafting predictions for experiments. They needed explicit instruction and encouragement to transfer skills across subjects. I worked tirelessly to create more cross-curricular lessons, collaborating with the English department and developing interdisciplinary electives like a Forensics course that integrated reading and history.
However, I was always constrained by extensive content standards—facts students had to memorize and apply in subject-specific ways. This rigid structure determined how student learning was assessed, leaving me with limited flexibility and creativity to design truly integrated learning experiences for my 180 students each year.
How The Sycamore School Brings Learning to Life
The Sycamore School was exactly what I had been searching for!
With its skills-based curriculum, teachers focus on teaching the skills needed for learning rather than simply delivering content. This approach allows students to strengthen reading comprehension to solve complex math problems or apply algebraic thinking to understand how medications affect cellular processes and brain chemistry.
Learning at The Sycamore School is never isolated; it is woven into a broader, interdisciplinary framework. Experience courses are intentionally designed to be cross-curricular, reflecting the interconnected nature of the real world. This model not only enhances student engagement but also better prepares them with the essential skills they need to become adaptable, lifelong learners.
In my time at The Sycamore School, I have seen firsthand the impact of this skills-based, interdisciplinary approach. Students no longer question the relevance of their learning; they embrace it as a cohesive, meaningful process.
By breaking down the traditional barriers between subjects, we empower students to make connections, think critically, and apply their knowledge in real-world contexts. This is the kind of education that truly prepares students for the future, and I am grateful to be a part of it.
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