Don Allen, a passionate educator transitioning from classroom teaching to leadership, shares his insightful journey. He discusses the Pygmalion Effect and its significant impact on student potential. Allen emphasizes the urgency of addressing systemic issues in public schools, particularly for educators of color. He advocates for innovative teaching methods, mastery-based learning, and the transformative potential of AI in education. Diving into community engagement, he also highlights exciting initiatives like the Back to School Toolkit and collaborative book clubs for educators.
The transition from corporate America to education highlights the transformative power of pursuing one's passion for teaching and learning.
Addressing the achievement gap necessitates a constructivist approach and recognizing the influence of teacher expectations on student performance.
Effective urban leadership in education must adapt to cultural contexts while promoting collaboration and valuing contributions from all staff members.
Deep dives
The Journey of an Educator
The speaker shared how they transitioned from a successful career in corporate America to becoming an educator. Initially inspired by their wife, a professor, they pursued multiple degrees in education and communication, culminating in a doctorate. Their involvement with the Modern Classrooms Project began during the pandemic when they sought professional development opportunities and found a course that resonated with their experiences. This journey reflects the speaker’s commitment to improving education and their drive to make a significant impact within the field.
Addressing the Achievement Gap
The speaker stressed the concerning achievement gap in the Twin Cities, particularly between Black and white students. They noted that even among the dominant culture, a significant percentage struggles with reading at grade level. The speaker advocated for a constructivist approach to education, highlighting the importance of the Pygmalion Effect, where teacher expectations positively influence student performance. Resources and effective teaching practices were identified as critical factors in closing the achievement gap and raising standards for all students.
The Role of AI in Education
The integration of AI and big data in education is seen as pivotal for the future of learning. The speaker emphasized the potential of AI to enhance teaching and student engagement, arguing that it should be viewed as a tool rather than a hindrance. They described an experiment where students utilized AI to generate content, which led to thoughtful analyses and enriched learning experiences. By reimagining AI’s role in the classroom, educators can create more effective learning environments that better prepare students for real-world challenges.
Leadership in Urban Education
Effective leadership in urban education requires an understanding of the unique cultural context and challenges faced by students. The speaker highlighted the importance of being a nuanced leader who adapts to the existing school culture while fostering collaboration among all stakeholders. They advocated for recognizing and valuing the contributions of every staff member, regardless of their position. By building a collective determination towards common goals, successful school cultures can be created, even in challenging urban environments.
Balancing Personal and Professional Growth
The speaker shared insights on managing personal and professional responsibilities through effective time management. They emphasized prioritizing what is important to an individual, which sometimes requires letting go of non-essential relationships. Embracing continuous learning and maximizing productivity were noted as keys to achieving balance while pursuing further education. Additionally, the importance of taking mental breaks and engaging in activities that bring joy was highlighted as crucial for sustaining long-term effort and achievement.
Toni Rose is joined by Don Allen to talk about his journey from the classroom into school and district leadership positions, and the philosophy and approaches to education that guided him along the way.
Our Back to School Toolkit is out and ready for you! For this year, we focused on communicating to caregivers and stakeholders all about blended, self-paced, mastery-based learning. Download here
Have you always wanted a community to read books with? We are hosting a book club with ScreenPal and Kami starting at the end of this month. The community has chosen to read UDL & Blended Learning by Katie Novak and Catlin Tucker. Join us in this 10-week community of practice to learn with and from educators across the country, receive Premium access to both ScreenPal and Kami, and deepen your understanding of UDL and blended learning. Register here
Want to learn more about how to use AI to create self-paced lessons for you. Join us in this 30-minute info webinar with TeachFlows on Tuesday, September 17, 6pm ET. Register here
Take our free online course, or sign up for our mentorship program to receive personalized guidance from a Modern Classrooms mentor as you implement your own modern classroom!