Jamie Stark and Dr Jean-Marie Kahn

From Numbers to Narratives: Empowering Personalised Learning Through Data Culture

Jamie is the Elementary School IT Coordinator at Frankfurt International School

Jean-Marie is the Elementary School Principal at Frankfurt International School

This session explores how schools can move beyond static data collection to create dynamic, learner-centered ecosystems that inform and inspire action. By showcasing our journey from spreadsheets to interactive dashboards and story-driven data use, we will highlight how innovation lies not just in the tools, but in rethinking how data is seen, shared, and used to personalize learning. 

Participants will engage with practical examples of how we designed and implemented systems using tools like Google Sheets, Forms, and Looker Studio to make data accessible, actionable, and meaningful for educators. The session will also emphasize the role of design thinking and collaborative culture-building in transforming data from numbers into narratives that empower teachers and drive personalized learning.

In today’s schools, data is everywhere - but how do we move beyond collecting it to truly using it in ways that empower teachers and personalize learning? This session tells the story of our school’s evolving data culture and how we’ve transformed scattered data points into meaningful narratives that drive student growth.

You’ll explore how we designed systems that make data accessible and actionable for educators, using tools like Google Forms, Sheets, and Looker Studio to visualize student needs and next steps. Along the way, we’ll share how we co-created dashboards for literacy, math, SEL, and student support, triangulating multiple sources to guide instructional decisions.

This isn’t just about the tech - it’s about shifting mindsets. We’ll discuss how we built buy-in, supported teacher agency, and created a culture of curiosity rather than compliance. Whether you’re just beginning your data journey or refining existing systems, you’ll leave with tangible frameworks and ready-to-use strategies to foster innovation through data storytelling and personalized learning.

Session Outcomes:

1. A practical framework for developing an accessible, teacher-friendly data culture that supports personalized learning.

2. Ready-to-use strategies and templates for building data dashboards using Google tools (Forms, Sheets, Looker Studio) that visualize learning progress and next steps.