The Island is our Classroom!

By Martin D. Cox 

And the students at Daufuskie Island Independent School recently showed how they take full advantage of this opportunity.

On December 17, the students hosted their Winter Showcase, an event that could be best described as a gallery walk of the school for parents and community members to see and understand what their children have been learning.

Moving from class to class, the parents listened to students in each location talk about the content of their core subjects: English Language Arts, math, science, and social studies. While on the surface that may sound like a typical open house visit to any school, it was not.

Instead, the students also showcased how they utilize the resources of this island that is accessible only by passenger ferry. Specifically, the parents saw the greeting cards students made by carving designs into rubber blocks, the designs all being natural to the island such as leaves and shells. There was also a display of oysters that the students colored with paint, the finished products to be used as Christmas decorations.

“Showcase is a fantastic forum to ease students into public speaking as well as to include the community in celebrating student learning and growth,” said Kimberly Lundgren, the school’s Executive Director regarding the purpose of the Winter Showcase.

Lundgren, along with Justin Dacanay, are the school’s co-founders, who partnered with community organizer and DIIS parent Erin Quinn to create the school in 2023. By doing so, they filled a void for students in grades 6-8 to remain on Daufuskie Island, and not have to take the ferry to Hilton Head Island for middle school instruction.

“Daufuskie Island is an incredible place to educate a child,” said Lundgren. “In our natural setting, learning comes alive.”

Parents visiting the Winter Showcase saw first-hand that their child’s education goes beyond the walls of the classrooms.

In front of the school, students explained and demonstrated their pickle ball skills on a strip of pavement. Do not be misled, however, regarding the amenities available to the students. Their actual venue for pickleball is located on the clay courts of the nearby Haig Point Club, a location they drive to in golf carts.

Haig Point Club has partnered with and supported the school by graciously opening their amenities to the students. In the fall, the students took swimming lessons at the club. And still to come will be opportunities to learn how to golf at the Haig Point Club driving range.

“Haig Point has been an important partner in education, helping us expose students to sports and activities they would not otherwise have the opportunity to try,” said Lundgren.

Students have been planning for their showcase under the leadership of math teacher Jennifer Bashford and Director of Development Laurel Smith.

“While my role as Director of Development often focuses on funding and growth, this semester has reinforced what truly matters—the students,” said Smith. “Spending time alongside them, watching their curiosity, confidence, and passions emerge, brings real meaning to the work of building and sustaining a school. When funding is rooted in daily learning, relationships, and discovery, it becomes about creating opportunity and ensuring every student has the space to grow, explore, and be seen.”

As one of the closing activities of the Winter Showcase, the students gathered in their music room and shared samples of their work from a recent Mock Trial study segment. During these vignettes, they spoke with clarity, confidence, and enthusiasm while acting as attorneys.

Next, they performed in front of their parents with keyboards, guitars, and percussion instruments while singing under the direction of Melvin Small, the school’s music teacher who has over 45 years of teaching experience. Members of the audience, both parents and community members, joined the students during some of the songs.

And as an example of creativity and flexibility being two key words to live by while seeking to instruct and inspire students, Mr. Small welcomed an impromptu request by a student at the end of the performance who wanted to play a solo on the keyboard. Her performance, like those that preceded her, drew an appreciative ovation from the audience.

Similar to a strategy used in a classroom for students to reflect on any given lesson, parents were asked at the end of their visit to complete a Ticket to Leave.  The task was for them to share on a small piece of paper some words to describe their thoughts about the showcase.  As they exited, they stuffed a Christmas stocking with their pieces of paper.

Their feedback included the following: “Excitement. Effort. Joy. Engaging. Inclusive. Welcoming. Creative. Diverse. Incredible. Teamwork. Inspiring. Awesome. Active Learning.”

When putting it all together, perhaps the Winter Showcase was more than just a presentation for parents and community residents. The event may have very well represented the exclamation point in the slogan The Island is our Classroom!

Martin D. Cox, Ed.D. is the Interim Head of School at Daufuskie Island Independent School.