Achieving Equity through Personalized Learning

Format

Individual Presentation

Avis WilliamsFollow

Location

Percival

Strand #1

Social & Emotional Skills

Strand #2

Academic Achievement & School Leadership

Relevance

Within the Social & Emotional Skills strand, this session will help participants understand how to personalize learning to meet unique student needs through a caring curriculum and equitable practices. Additionally, there are implications within this strand intended to engage and inform teachers and instructional leaders as they work to reduce achievement gaps and grow all students (Academic Achievement & School Leadership).

Brief Program Description

Schools and districts that focus on equity must work to establish learning environments and instructional practices that meet the needs of all learners. With an emphasis on students in poverty and the African American male, this session will delve into some of those practices and make connections so that participants understand the role that personalized learning plays in the academic success for all.

During this session, participants will:

  • Define personalized learning
  • Establish an understanding of how personalized learning may impact achievement of African American Males and students in poverty
  • Develop an Action Plan for achieving equity through personalized learning

Summary

Schools and districts that focus on equity must work to establish learning environments and instructional practices that meet the needs of all learners. With an emphasis on students in poverty and the African American male, this session will delve into some of those practices and make connections so that participants understand the role that personalized learning plays in the academic success for all.

During this session, participants will:

  • Define personalized learning - Personalized learning requires that educators 1) Know the learner; 2) Flex the environment; and 3) Teach to standards. This session will allow participants to explore each of these constructs and their roles in teaching and learning.
  • Establish an understanding of how personalized learning may impact achievement of African American Males and students in poverty. In most schools and districts, African American Males fall behind their peers across all academic measures. Children in poverty share the same fate. This session will work through 1) Understanding learning styles; 2) Building background knowledge; and 3) Basic principles of culturally responsive teaching.
  • Develop an Action Plan for achieving equity through personalized learning while demonstrating an understanding of the role that personalized learning plays in the academic success for all. Participants will walk away with the tools necessary to develop and implement an Action Plan to help meet the needs of their particular school or district.

This session is collaborative and will include time for participants to share out and to ask clarifying questions.

Evidence

There is currently a large body of research that shows the need for teachers and educational leaders to understand the art of personalizing learning. This session will draw from several sources to include ASCD, Barbara Bray, and the presenter's practical experiences based on 13 years of serving as a school administrator. These experiences include serving as a principal of a 98% poverty elementary school as well as a middle school with a technology magnet program. Promising practices will also be cited based on the work taking place in several school districts in the southeast where personalized learning and equity have been made priorities.

Biographical Sketch

Dr. Avis Williams is a native of Salisbury, NC. She has served in leadership positions in the US Army, as an entrepreneur and as an education administrator. She is passionate about empowering people to reach their personal best. A researcher and a scholar, she is certified to teach English, Physical Education and as a P-12 Principal and Superintendent. She earned her doctorate from the University of Alabama and is a proud graduate of Leadership Huntsville/Madison County Connect and the University of Alabama's Superintendents Academy. Dr. Avis has served as an elementary, middle and high school principal giving her a wide-range of knowledge and practical experiences. She also served as the Executive Director of Secondary Curriculum and Instruction for Guilford County Schools, the third largest school district in North Carolina. Dr. Avis is currently the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction for Tuscaloosa City Schools. She has presented dozens of professional presentations and seminars at conferences and workshops throughout the U.S.

Keyword Descriptors

Equity, Personalized Learning, African American Males, Poverty Culturally Responsive Teaching

Presentation Year

2016

Start Date

3-9-2016 11:15 AM

End Date

3-9-2016 12:30 PM

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Mar 9th, 11:15 AM Mar 9th, 12:30 PM

Achieving Equity through Personalized Learning

Percival

Schools and districts that focus on equity must work to establish learning environments and instructional practices that meet the needs of all learners. With an emphasis on students in poverty and the African American male, this session will delve into some of those practices and make connections so that participants understand the role that personalized learning plays in the academic success for all.

During this session, participants will:

  • Define personalized learning
  • Establish an understanding of how personalized learning may impact achievement of African American Males and students in poverty
  • Develop an Action Plan for achieving equity through personalized learning