{"id":3801,"date":"2016-02-18T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-02-18T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/aurora-institute.org\/blog\/cw_post\/lake-county-schools-sawgrass-bay-elementary-increases-engagement-with-personalized-learning\/"},"modified":"2020-02-05T12:57:34","modified_gmt":"2020-02-05T17:57:34","slug":"lake-county-schools-sawgrass-bay-elementary-increases-engagement-with-personalized-learning","status":"publish","type":"cw_post","link":"https:\/\/aurora-institute.org\/cw_post\/lake-county-schools-sawgrass-bay-elementary-increases-engagement-with-personalized-learning\/","title":{"rendered":"Lake County Schools: Sawgrass Bay Elementary Increases Engagement with Personalized Learning"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Sawgrass1\"This post is the fourth in a five-part series on Lake County Schools in Florida. Begin with the district overview<\/a>\u00a0and follow along at these schools: South Lake High<\/a>, Lost Lake Elementary<\/a>, Sawgrass Bay Elementary<\/a>, and\u00a0Lake Windy Hill Middle<\/a>.\u00a0<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n

Sawgrass Bay Elementary<\/a> (SBE) has fully embraced personalized learning. In the first year, eight teachers started piloting the new practices in math in grades 3-5. A year later, they have full implementation in math and ELA throughout the school. As we wandered through classrooms, the conversation with Principal Heather Gelb; PL Facilitator Amy Billings; and Instructional Dean\u00a0Michelle Work<\/a>\u00a0was full of insights and observations. Gelb enthusiastically explained, \u201cWe are seeing a big culture shift. It\u2019s only been a year, and the teachers are noticing that the kids are highly engaged. Personalized Learning is a more intentional implementation of best practices as they pertain to student autonomy. This will be a shift for everyone.\u201d Below are a few of the highlights from our conversation:<\/p>\n

Background: Sawgrass Bay is situated in the corner of Lake County and is relatively close to Orlando. Many families have jobs in the tourist industry, which has led to high mobility as they move to obtain higher paying jobs. SBE is the largest elementary school in Lake County Schools, serving 1,300+ students in grades K-5. Nearly half are ELL.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The Power of Student as Leaders: <\/strong>Work explained that SBE is infusing Covey\u2019s seven habits of the Leader in Me<\/a> program into the overall personalized learning approach as a means to increase students\u2019 sense of responsibility and the skills they will need. She explained, \u201cWhen students feel empowered, there is no reason to act out. Instead of feeling that things are being done to them, they feel more in control of their own actions.\u201d Assistant Principal Maurice Simmons<\/a> expanded on this point with, \u201cThe Leader in Me program is helping our kids see themselves as leaders. Before, they were kids or children or students. Now they see themselves through the lens of learners and leaders. They feel more responsible for their own actions and for helping their classmates.\u201d I saw the strong emphasis on the \u201chabits\u201d in Mrs. Miller\u2019s classroom, where there were celebrations of students demonstrating the different qualities and a strong culture of \u201cI can\u201d and \u201cWe can.\u201d [Red Bank Elementary in Lexington, SC is also using this program<\/a>.]<\/p>\n

\"Sawgrass2\"Bringing the Philosophy of Personalized Learning to Life: <\/strong>The leadership team at SBE described the importance of bringing PL to life for teachers. For example, they talked about what it means if students don\u2019t know what they are learning or why it is important. \u201cChildren can\u2019t find relevance if they don\u2019t know what they are learning. They can\u2019t make connections. This was a major revelation to us \u2013 we suddenly saw ourselves through a mirror. We were teaching in the way that we had been taught and in ways that were easier for us. We needed to let go of the old ways and open ourselves. Suddenly we were seeing our jobs in a totally different light.\u201d<\/p>\n

They shared other examples of insights once they had the new perspective of PL:<\/p>\n