Empowering Teachers: Transforming Classrooms into Hubs of Learning

Lourdes Jimenez • Cahn Fellow 2023

Ruben Salazar Bilingual Center is recognized for its commitment in fostering a learning space that embraces cultural differences and ensures that marginalized students have the resources and support they need to succeed. Leveraging Salazar’s strong, academically-focused Instructional Leadership Team (ILT) composed of Teacher Leaders, our Cahn professional practice focused on the implementation of intentional small-group instruction leading to personalized learning. Under the guidance of the academic coach, the ILT outlined two critical phases of support to guide/facilitate with the implementation:

1. Phase 1 (First Semester): Helping teachers familiarize themselves with platforms such as Branching Minds, Amira, and Freckle.

2. Phase 2 (Second Semester): Leveraging data insights to improve classroom instruction.

Phase 1 focused on addressing the obstacles or push-back teachers would share as their resistance. The focus was twofold; to establish the professional development provided to staff to familiarize themselves with the resources and to schedule time in the school day to navigate the platforms and create an action plan.

Phase 2 centered on supporting teachers to leverage examining student data to determine individualized learning needs and form effective small-group instruction. Creating a continuous cycle of assessment, analysis, and intervention that is repeated throughout the school year.