Superintendent's Corner
Part One: Are We Still Doing Personalized Learning?
Revisiting the Foundations of Personalized Learning
I want to take this opportunity to address a question I hear frequently when out in the community: Are we still doing personalized learning? The answer is an unequivocal yes, but with an expanded understanding and renewed commitment to what personalized learning truly represents.
Personalized Learning: A Continuous Journey, Not a Destination
Personalized learning is not a goal to be reached; it is a dynamic, student-centered framework that guides our approach to teaching and learning. It prioritizes understanding each student in their uniqueness and greatness, aiming to help them achieve their personal best. This approach is not about isolated programs or initiatives but about embedding a mindset into every aspect of how we engage, instruct, and inspire our students.
A Framework Rooted in Community Voice
During our strategic planning process, we engaged extensively with our community—teachers, students, and parents. We conducted focus groups at every level in the organization, gathered insights from students, and surveyed nearly 700 educators. The recurring theme from these conversations was clear: personalized learning is about truly knowing our students—not just as learners but as individuals with distinct strengths, interests, and aspirations.
Defining Our Theory of Action
To guide our efforts, we’ve articulated a Theory of Action focused on personalized learning. We will know we are successful when we see the following elements at work in the classroom:
- We demonstrate our belief that all students can and will learn at high levels within a safe, welcoming, and inclusive learning community.
- Students are highly engaged, heard, and active in their learning and in collaboration with each other.
- We articulate learning targets that are aligned to the Minnesota state standards with clear success criteria.
- Students are provided flexible and multiple modes of instruction, assessment, and learning.
- We utilize evidence-based instructional practices for growth in behavior, cognitive and social emotional intelligence for each and every student.
- We provide each student with timely, relevant, and meaningful feedback that moves learning forward.
- We engage in a data-driven, professional, and collegial Professional Learning Community processes and professional development that improve learning experiences and academic outcomes.
When these elements are being demonstrated, then, Eastern Carver County Schools’ vision and mission will be realized for each student; classroom by classroom.
This framework emphasizes that personalized learning is about planning with students, not just for them. It’s about creating meaningful experiences that empower students to take ownership of their learning while maintaining rigorous academic standards.
Honoring Our Progress and Looking Ahead
Over the years, personalized learning has evolved in our district, from the introduction of 1:1 technology to the implementation of flexible learning spaces. These efforts laid the groundwork for today’s focus: fostering active learning and collaboration as we continue to recover from the pandemic.
By aligning our efforts with professional development and actionable goals, we ensure that personalized learning remains at the heart of our educational mission.
Building Trust Through Transparency
This article is the first of a superintendent series aimed at providing our community with a look at how personalized learning shapes the experiences of students and educators. We want to be clear about where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re going—together.
Part Two: Exploring the Future Together - Personalized Learning and the Portrait of a Graduate
As a district deeply committed to personalized learning, we are excited to take the next step in our journey: defining what success looks like for our students as they graduate. Through the development of our Portrait of a Graduate, we aim to articulate the key skills, competencies, and attributes we believe every student should embody as a result of their educational experience in our district beyond our shared expectation of academic excellence.
Why a Portrait of a Graduate?
In today’s rapidly evolving world, preparing students for success requires more than just academic knowledge. As advancements in artificial intelligence and automation redefine the workforce, it is “human skills” such as collaboration, adaptability, critical thinking, and empathy that will increasingly determine success. A Portrait of a Graduate helps ensure that our students are not only academically prepared but are also equipped to thrive in career, college, and life.
This framework will answer important questions:
- What do we want our students to achieve because they experienced personalized learning in our district?
- How do we prepare them for a future where their personal best aligns with societal and workforce needs?
Personalized Learning as the Foundation
Personalized learning is the cornerstone of this work. It represents our belief that teaching and learning should be student-centered, rigorous, and adaptable to meet the needs of every learner. By creating meaningful, flexible and multiple modes of instruction, we cultivate the very attributes we wish to see in our graduates: empowered problem-solvers, lifelong learners, and thoughtful citizens.
The Portrait of a Graduate builds on this foundation, connecting the dots between classroom practices and the broader life skills our students need.
Your Voice Matters
We are thrilled by the early response to our feedback efforts. Hundreds of pieces of feedback from students, staff, parents, and community members have already been collected through our Thought Exchange platform. This collective input is invaluable in shaping a shared vision for what our graduates should embody.
If you haven’t yet shared your thoughts, we invite you to join the conversation. You can contribute your insights and ideas here: https://tejoin.com/scroll/440165591
The Road Ahead
Developing a Portrait of a Graduate is a collaborative process. As we refine this vision, we remain committed to transparency and inclusivity. We will continue to share updates and invite feedback, ensuring that the final framework reflects the aspirations of our entire community.
Together, we are preparing our students for a future where they are seen, valued, and ready to succeed. Thank you for being a vital part of this journey. Let’s continue to explore what it means to create opportunities for every student to achieve their personal best.