At the beginning of my Digital Learning and Leading program at Lamar University, I created an innovation plan. My innovation plan was initially a simple database for XR (Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality and Mixed Reality) and Virtual Field Trips. The innovation plan has grown over the past few months and classes, to helping teachers create experiential learning in their classrooms. I have been implementing experiential learning in my classroom for two years now, and I can see how it improves student understanding and engagement! I want to make sure I am exposing teachers to experiential learning through effective professional development. I do not want teachers to roll their eyes

When you say the words "professional development," there are so many teachers that want to scream. You would think that teachers would love more opportunities to learn more about their content for their students. Educators are trying to convince students to love learning, so shouldn't they love PD days? The problem is not that they hate learning; they hate being "developed." Teachers do not like professional learning that has no connection to their content. We need to change PL to change with the times. I recently moved districts/states, and my new district does not offer any professional learning opportunities. While I appreciate the time to personalize my professional learning time, I need more direction, and I want to share and collaborate with others. I have seen what meaningful and engaging PL can do for districts, teachers, and students. I want to see teachers excited to learn and try new practices and succeed at implementation. It is not going to be easy, but it will be a rewarding process to see teachers excited to learn! Watch my video below to see how we can change professional learning (PL) to help our teachers and students. This video focuses on the 5 Principles of Effective Professional Development. To see the creative process of the video, click here.

My plan for the initial implementation of experiential learning in the classroom will be over one year. In my previous district, we had different cohorts and model teachers for different subjects and EdTech. I wanted to take that concept and create an "Experiential Learning" Cohort. At my current district, there is a lack of innovation at the elementary level. This isn't because the teachers are unable to innovate, but there is a lack of resources and professional learning to aid teachers in innovation. I see so much potential in the staff I work with, and they want to learn more, but they do not know where to start. For math and reading, the district has bought a curriculum program from Pearson, and the district admin expects teachers to use these programs primarily. I want to create a collaborative cohort that can take these programs and work together to make sure we are creating experiential learning for our students. For Social Studies and Science, there is a broad pacing guide. I want to help these teachers collaborate and make learning for our students meaningful and future-ready. I want to show teachers and administrators how experiential learning can help with engagement and getting our students ready for the 21st Century.

A fourth-grade teacher at my campus, who incorporates experiential learning, will help lead my innovation plan. We will work together to facilitate the PL and lead meetings using the four different components of Influencing Organizational Change laid out in this post . The new cohort will begin with teachers at my campus with one teacher per grade, 3-6. The initial training sessions will help them understand the research behind experiential learning and how to lead effective PL for others around the district. Throughout the year, we will learn and collaborate with others virtually and in in-person meetings, and participate in virtual book studies. Leaders will offer training sessions based on needs and observe lessons and give feedback. The cohort members will observe teachers that are effectively modeling experiential learning environments. The first cohort will lead the future cohorts in their implementation of experiential learning. The ultimate goal is to implement experiential learning district-wide in K-12. I want to create leaders that will continue this vision after I leave the district.

During the professional learning sessions, we will use two templates for teachers to apply student and teacher learning for experiential learning. The Understanding by Design template focuses on student learning, and Fink's 3-Column Table focuses on teacher learning. These templates help teachers understand how experiential learning looks in the classroom. Click here or scroll to the bottom of this page for these resources to read more about these templates and how they connect to my innovation plan and professional learning.