If you're supporting a learner in a Modern Classroom as a parent or caregiver, here are some things you can do:

• Watch my videos. I put all my videos on a Learning Management System (LMS), so learners can watch them at any time. Our LMS here at Windsor Middle School is Google Classroom. Ask your child to show you around our LMS, so you can see how everything is organized. If your child struggles to understand something, watch the video with them, and help them learn!
  
  

• Keep track of progress. In a self-paced classroom, I'll provide suggested deadlines and plenty of support, but your child is ultimately responsible for their own progress. You can help your child by asking: "How are you doing? Are you on pace or catching up? What do you need to do next?" Asking these questions helps ensure that your child is progressing and helps your child get better at managing their own learning. So ask!
  
  

• Emphasize perseverance and self-advocacy. I truly believe that any student can succeed in my class - even if it's hard. (If learning were easy, students wouldn't need schools!) However, grit isn't built overnight. It takes time for students to become confident problem-solvers, and often they'll fail before they succeed. When this happens, encourage your child to keep trying and ask for my support whenever they need it. Eventually, and with enough effort, your child can master anything.

If you'd like to learn more about the Modern Classroom approach, you can also enroll in their free online course! This is where I learned a lot of the techniques I'll be using this year, and I hope this course helps you understand.