Welcome to the Modern Classrooms Project Podcast. Each week we bring you discussions with educators on how they use blended, self-paced, and mastery-based learning to better serve their learners. In this episode, Toni Rose Deanon is joined by Samantha Ortiz-Whitelaw, an elementary teacher with 15 years of experience, to discuss her journey with the Modern Classrooms Project over the past four years.

When Sam transitioned to teaching fourth grade and began implementing the Modern Classrooms model, she noticed a significant improvement in her classroom management and student engagement.

Sam emphasizes the benefits of MCP, such as reducing teacher workload and allowing flexibility for students, even during interruptions like absences or travel. She also stresses the value of community and resources provided by MCP, which have been crucial in her teaching practice.

Here are three key takeaways from this podcast episode:

• Empowering Students: Blended, self-paced, mastery-based learning empowers students to become independent learners, as Sam notes. She shares how her students have become advocates for themselves and take ownership of their learning.

• Adaptability for Young Learners: The model can be effectively implemented in elementary classrooms, even with younger students. Sam describes how her students, as young as six or seven years old, have thrived in this learning environment.

• Shift in Mindset: Implementing the model requires a shift in mindset from teacher-centered to student-centered learning. Sam encourages teachers to "choose their hard" and embrace the challenges of this new approach.

Discussion questions for PLC and PD: 

• How can educators effectively address the potential challenges associated with implementing a blended, self-paced, mastery-based learning model, such as resistance from students or administrators?

• How can teachers foster student agency and independence within this model? What strategies can be used to encourage students to take ownership of their learning and advocate for themselves?

• Given the success of this model with fourth-grade students, how can educators adapt it to meet the needs of younger learners, such as kindergarteners? What adjustments or modifications would be necessary?

Our Host

Toni Rose taught MS English for 10 years and will forever identify as a teacher. Toni Rose strives to be the teacher that they never had growing up, so they focus on anti-bias, anti-racist work and wants to create a brave space for everyone around them. As a queer Filipinx, they understand just how important it is to be represented, be valued, and belong. They especially love being a thought partner for and celebrating teachers.

Our Guests

Samantha Ortiz-Whitelaw

Sam has been in elementary education for over 14 years. She has taught first grade, 4th grade, Spanish Immersion, and spent three years supporting English Language Learners as an ESOL teacher. Samantha has been implementing the Modern Classrooms model for about 4 years now in her math class and has begun implementing in History and Science as well. She has recently earned the Distinguished Modern Classroom Educator credential and is excited to become an expert mentor as a way of supporting teachers on their Modern Classroom journey. When Samantha isn't in teacher mode you can find her at home or out and about with her husband Kevin, daughter Isabel, and their dog Popeye.

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