MONTPELIER -- Bear Lake High School has long believed in collaborative learning -- and this year, that belief came to life through a series of creative, cross-curricular projects that brought students together across classrooms.
Led by English and Spanish teacher Angie Hunter, English Language Learner (ELL) teacher Sara Argyle and English instructor Emi Wilkes, students explored new ways to engage with language, culture and self-expression through hands-on, interdisciplinary experiences.
One standout effort involved Hunter's Spanish II class and Argyle's ELL students, who met regularly to practice speaking in each other's target languages -- Spanish and English. These sessions were designed to foster authentic dialogue and cultural exchange.
"They were nervous at first, but by the end, they were excited to talk and learn from each other," Hunter said. "It was amazing to see the growth in both groups."
The partnership culminated in "Mercado Day," an event that transformed the classroom into a bustling bilingual marketplace. Students researched traditional dishes from Spanish-speaking countries, prepared the food and created kiosks where they bought and sold items using fake currency -- all while communicating in their target languages.
"The Mercado Day was an inspired project by Mrs. Hunter," said Argyle. "Food is such a universal experience, and this allowed my students to share dishes from their home countries of Peru and Ecuador. They were fully engaged, practicing English in a fun, practical way that mirrored real-life situations."
Meanwhile, Hunter also joined forces with Emi Wilkes' Creative Illustrations class for an interdisciplinary project that brought art and poetry together. Wilkes' students created surrealist artwork, which Hunter's Creative Writing students then used as inspiration for original poems.
The finished pieces were displayed side by side during a gallery walk that invited the entire school to reflect on the creative connections between visual and written expression.
"This is the second year we've done this, and it's always so interesting to see how the process affects the outcome," said Wilkes. "Last year, the poems came first; this year, the art led the way. It's a great way to push students out of their comfort zones and show them how different subjects connect in meaningful ways."
These collaborative projects not only enriched academic learning but also fostered deeper connections among students and teachers alike. From cooking and conversation to drawing and verse, Bear Lake educators are showing students that learning doesn't happen in isolation.
"These collaborations show students that what they learn isn't just about passing a test," Hunter added. "Language, culture, creativity -- they all connect. And when students see that, their learning becomes real."