April 3, 2025

Dear Educator,

Last week, I joined Digital Promise’s League of Innovative Schools and 300 education leaders from across the country to visit districts in Western Pennsylvania. I was beyond impressed with the diverse experiences that both South Fayette and Avonworth were providing for learners.

Students shared what they were learning about cybersecurity, cryptocurrency, and data literacy. They were designing and making art in the South Fayette’s MIT-certified Fab Lab. In English, they were researching and presenting on the ethics of AI and what it means to flourish as a human. Students were learning about aeronautical career pathways and learning to fly drones.

Adults utilized RIASEC codes with learners to have a common language to describe their interests and make connections to possible majors and career fields. I loved talking to these young adolescents about what they were learning, and to be honest, as a mom of two high schoolers, I couldn’t be more jealous!

My Bright Spot this week features how Avonworth High School is helping make this authentic and personalized learning visible and enduring.

With Gratitude,

Structures That Make Authentic Learning Come Alive

Bavely, a sophomore at Avonworth High School, shared his portfolio with me. It showed his courses, provided a timeline of activities, and shared reflections about the impact of his extracurricular engagements, which included band, the chess club he started, and swimming, just to name a few! A resume he created for a summer internship was also linked along with other learning artifacts. He spoke eloquently and confidently about his experiences.

The Xello portfolio tool enabled him to collect and share this information in a meaningful way. But just as important, if not more so, were the clear structures set up by the school to help all learners engage in authentic learning, develop strong relationships with adults, and intentionally set goals and develop a plan for high school and beyond. Choosing relevant and interest-based coursework, developing strong relationships with his teachers, and confidently understanding his talents and strengths were the outcomes of these clear structures.

Exposure to a variety of learning opportunities and guidance from expert educators is critical for learners to graduate with the competencies our communities hold in highest regard. I’d love to hear how you are providing opportunities for youth to ensure they can navigate their learning paths with confidence and support. Send a note my way by replying directly to this email!

Goal-setting is an important life skill and leads to better learning outcomes when done right. Providing tools and frameworks to help learners scaffold their goal-setting and reflection process has proven to be an effective strategy that leads to long-term goal-setting habits. Gain inspiration from authentic examples of this strategy shared by teachers who have used them with their learners.

Resources to advance your learner-centered practice

🛠️ Goal Setting and Reflection Template for Educators. "This tool is intended to support educators and leaders with setting meaningful and relevant goals. Research shows a strong correlation between high-quality goal-setting and reflecting routines with increased motivation, self-efficacy, and engagement and a decrease in anxiety." Download here.

🎙️ Episode 42: Effective Techniques to be a Learner-Centered Leader. "Each panelist highlights how leaders can establish clear visions, build shared ownership, and create the enabling conditions for systems to thrive. Rather than following a one-size-fits-all model, they emphasize the importance of community-rooted identities and co-created frameworks that prioritize whole-learner outcomes." Listen here.

👩‍💻 Partner With Learners to Reach Their Full Potential. "Explore ways to ensure all learners can access learning experiences equitably and are supported in their next steps in life by exploring different college and career options while building their social capital through a support network." Start learning here.

🎥 Learner-Centered Bright Spots: Making Learning Public and Closing the Year Strong. "This session will guide you through reflective practices and strategies to wrap up the year in a way that celebrates the learning across your school community." Register for this April webinar.