快播视频

When Marianne Beja thinks about what the students of South Carolina need to graduate ready for whatever futures they choose to pursue, she thinks about what she needs as an educator to make that happen.

鈥淭his is a powerful moment for me because I鈥檝e always searched for the answers and searched to be a better teacher,鈥� Beja said at a recent convening of South Carolina educators. Beja is an instructional coach at in Johnston, South Carolina and before that, she taught for 34 years in the state. 鈥淚t was always right there in front of me. It鈥檚 in front of our teachers. But they have to actually step back and allow the students to step up and take control of their learning.鈥�

For Beja and others, it鈥檚 personalized learning that鈥檚 unlocking minds and opening doors.

鈥淚 want to build a community of lifelong learners and I think personalized learning is the way to do it,鈥� said Beja, who stressed that the flexibility in pacing and choosing how they show what they know is what allows students to meaningfully connect with what they鈥檙e learning; to care. 鈥淚 maintain that if you get a student in a situation and they personally connect with the content, they鈥檙e going to wow you each and every time.鈥�

When the launched their Office of Personalized Learning, their aim was clear: to develop the capacity of district leaders and educators, like Beja, to create personalized, student-centered learning environments that prepare all students, not just some or most, for success. Lauren McCauley, lead associate for personalized learning with the South Carolina Department of Education, and Stephanie DiStasio, director of the office of personalized learning at the South Carolina Department of Education, have committed the resources and reach of the state department to ensuring that every district receives access to high-quality professional development that meets their unique needs and, by extension, the unique needs of learners in their communities.

Not only is the professional development free to participants, it鈥檚 also structured in a three-tiered system that supports where schools and districts are in their pursuit and interest with personalized learning. Exploring districts are participating in monthly webinars that introduce fundamental student-centered learning practices such as student agency and flexible learning environments, whereas districts who are interested in implementing personalized learning and refining their practice are attending two-day monthly convenings where they have the opportunity to learn more about how their day-to-day teaching and administrative practices can better support personalized learning.

鈥淲e know that not every school and every district needs the same thing,鈥� said DiStasio. 鈥淭he three-tiered system came about because we want to provide 鈥榡ust right鈥� opportunities to schools and districts who are in the same place on their journey and give them the chance to learn and grow together.鈥�

The state department is confident that the model will provide educators the tools they need to extend and scale best practices for personalized learning, and they鈥檝e partnered with 快播视频 to deliver professional development that supports their goals for all learners in South Carolina.

鈥淕ood works breeds interest,鈥� said McCauley. 鈥淲hen folks come to you because they are interested, they will buy in and own it. When schools and teachers own the work and are supported by district leadership, that鈥檚 when you have sustainability.鈥�

With personalized learning, no district is an island.

In addition to sharing student-centered best practices, the opportunity to connect like-minded districts fosters relationships that wouldn鈥檛 otherwise have been possible. 鈥淲hen I was in a district, we felt like an island,鈥� said McCauley. 鈥淲hen I was hired on at the state department, I promised myself that no other district would feel that way.鈥� Relationship-building is critical for educators in the classroom, and supporting opportunities at the state level can empower teachers to take big ideas and make big changes at home.

鈥淲e don鈥檛 always know the good things that are happening around us,鈥� said Sheila Quinn, former state deputy superintendent for innovation and effectiveness with the South Carolina Department of Education. 鈥淏ut our state is small enough that we can drive and communicate and see things to help us grow. The department is leveraging the power of districts who are already doing the work of personalized learning, rather than offering one-size-fits all professional development.鈥�

At each professional development session, educators are encouraged to share a new student-centered practice they鈥檝e tried, no matter how small, and reflect with each other and their teams on the personalized learning strategies introduced that best fit their students and communities.

鈥淣etworking has helped build my toolbox as a coach and established friendships that I wouldn鈥檛 have had prior to this experience,鈥� said Heather Rollings, an instructional coach with . 鈥淚 can email somebody, reach out for help, share ideas. Sometimes we feel like we鈥檙e alone in this journey, but we鈥檙e not alone.鈥�

World class knowledge and world class skills 鈥� that鈥檚 the power of personalized learning.

The ownership that educators and district leaders are showing in pursuing personalized learning through the state-led professional development is the same initiative and excitement they hope to kindle in their students.

鈥淲ith personalized learning, learning isn鈥檛 something that鈥檚 being done to them, but a process they鈥檙e involved in,鈥� said Robert Maddox, superintendent of . Maddox is so passionate about moving forward with the work that he brought his entire district team to the convenings. 鈥淲ith standardized learning, all students are doing the same thing at the same pace. But we have students who are very diverse and different, and our communities need a diversity of talent.鈥�

Student agency and ownership is a cornerstone of personalized learning 鈥� and it鈥檚 at the heart of the world class skills and the life and career characteristics that South Carolina hopes for its graduates.

鈥淏y having a student-centered approach and personalizing for all children so they can achieve the , we鈥檙e giving our kids opportunities to take advantage of the types of jobs that are coming to South Carolina,鈥� said DiStasio. 鈥淲e鈥檙e making sure our students are not only ready to get the job because they have the content knowledge, but be able to keep the job because they have the skills and characteristics to perform.鈥�

Supporting students and educators at the highest level.

鈥淚鈥檝e had the opportunity to work at the state level and see just how important a state department can be to build capacity across districts,鈥� said Quinn, who recently transitioned out of the State Department of Education and is now the superintendent of . Quinn is excited to apply what she鈥檚 learned and see her new district benefit from the state鈥檚 push toward personalized learning.

McCauley hopes to see educators and leaders across the state begin to champion the work of personalized learning in their own districts, sharing what they鈥檝e learned and building on the relationships forged during these convenings.

鈥淭he first day we gathered together, we had over 100 educators from across the state who were interested and passionate about personalized learning. I knew then that we were going to make a difference,鈥� said McCauley. 鈥淭hey鈥檝e proven in every session that we鈥檝e been together that this work can move forward and change.鈥�

Educators like Maddox share McCauley鈥檚 hopes.

鈥淲hat鈥檚 unique about personalized learning is that it鈥檚 not a method within itself, but enduring principles that can be infused into any method of teaching,鈥� said Maddox, whose teachers and coaches are showing increased excitement and willingness to try new things and take risks to support students in his district. He鈥檚 looking forward to what鈥檚 next, and stresses the invaluable opportunity of free, high-quality professional development made available to his small, rural district. 鈥淲e would not be able to support our students at the highest level without the support of the state in an area that is crucial for every district 鈥� especially ours. This is perfect timing.鈥�