GYTO Gifts Walt Disney $70,000 Engagement Lab!

Posted on February 26, 2024

Our school has been blessed by being chosen as a “Get Your Teach On” school by the IDOE this school year. Since September, we’ve had a “Rock Your School Day” as a way to engage students and our teachers have experienced informative and transformative professional development sessions.

Today with the help of Principal Dr. Mindy Higginson, Get Your Teach On co-founders, husband and wife team, and reading specialists extraordinaires, Hope and Wade King out did themselves by surprising not only our students, but also our teachers, by gifting our school a incredible Writing Engagement Lab valued at nearly $70,000!

And as you can see below, the teachers were blown away!

Five people in a library, one woman standing while four others sit, all looking towards the camera; they are dressed

People standing in a line at an event, looking to their left, possibly waiting for something or someone.

Party in a room decorated with jungle theme elements.

Two women standing in a kitchen, one holding a cup of coffee, both smiling at the camera, with a group of people behind them.

A group of people gathered around a table adorned with a jungle-themed centerpiece and a cake, enjoying an event in a room

Two people in neon green vests at an event, one holding a phone, smiling and interacting with another person who is also

The Writing Engagement Lab is a visual, 3D immersive experience is designed for creative writing exercises that will capture children’s imagination and spark great educational experiences. The computer, lighting and projector equipment were donated to Walt Disney; and the school will keep this absolutely amazing technology to use with all students, grades K-5th.

Before school started this morning, Hope, Wade and the GYTO crew demonstrated for the teachers all the immersion workspaces that can be used with students: Jurassic Park (as seen above), Harry Potter, Toy Story, Alpert (created by GTO colaborator LaNesha Tabb), Cars, Super Mario Bros., Spy Games, and a Glow Party theme.

People gathered around a table in a room, celebrating an event, with a projection of snowflakes and a castle on the wall

Group of people gathered in a room with a large projection screen displaying an image of animated characters.

A colorful mural on a wall featuring cartoon-like illustrations of a horse and rider, a castle, and a blue sky background.

Two women standing in front of a projector screen, smiling and gesturing as they present to an audience.

An indoor scene with a glowing sign that says 'let's glow', colorful lights and decorations, people gathered around, and a

People in a room with red laser beams on the wall.

Two people standing in front of a projection screen displaying a video game scene featuring Mario and Luigi characters.

People gathered in a room with a jungle background, standing around a table with a cake and a TV displaying an advertisement.

People in a room enjoying a movie night with a large screen displaying animated cars on a city street.

After the teachers got their introduction to their new tool, then the REAL FUN began with the students! There was a quick scene change from the jungle of Jurassic Park theme to the Adventures of Alpert.

Mrs. Scoles Kindergarten class went first. Hope and Wade led/taught them a writing lesson using Alpert. The other kindergarten teachers were also present taking notes as they got to watch a live PD session on how to use the new equipment with students.