Setting the vision for teaching and learning meant not only researching best practices and existing models, but building on past successes. With a changing demographic, and a need to meet every student where they are and help them thrive, a shift from a more traditional practices of teaching and learning to a culture of personalization was not only natural, but necessary. This focus on equity and access to personalized learning experiences set the vision for the system-wide transformation.
Growing a culture of entrepreneurialism, risk-taking, and innovation to personalize experiences for all learners - students and adults - was a primary focus of the transition. This established a floor for culture in the district, and a set of goals and targets to align work from Board of Directors down to the classroom.
Our world is rapidly changing as a result of access to information and innovation. What we have learned about brain theory and pedagogy drive us to reevaluate what we can offer our students in preparation. Ultimately we want our students to become strategic, collaborative learning partners, who are innovative and competitive in a global community. Therefore we strive to create an environment in which students are at the center of their own learning and are intimately involved in defining the learning path. A place where:
It is this type of personalized learning environment that students deserve to experience in Evergreen Public Schools.
Personalized learning, as defined by the International Association for K12 Online Learning (iNACOL), is “tailoring learning for each student’s strengths, needs, and interests - including enabling student voice and choice in what, how, when, and where they learn - to provide flexibility and support to ensure mastery of the highest standards possible.”
For Evergreen students in a personalized environment, the following elements are essential ways of doing business:
EPS Essentials of Personalized Learning
--John Dewey
Ways that aligning around equity and access connected every aspect of the district's work in a student-centered focus. John Steach, Superintendent
From School Board to classroom, personalization is founded on equity. John Steach, Superintendent
How cabinet level collaboration and alignment facilitates cohesion, communication, and collective organizational movement at every level. Scott Munro, Executive Director of Elementary Schools
Specific research, common language, and ideas surrounding systems thinking, learning organizations, innovation, and shared vision helped drive change at Evergreen. Below are some short video clips that offer insight into the complex change work at Evergreen.