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, Zach is joined by Carmen Welton to delve into the complexities of teaching at an independent school and implementing Modern Classroom practices.

Here are the key takeaways from this podcast:

• Challenging the Conventional Notion of Excellence: They discuss how the conventional view of excellence in education can be deeply ingrained and sometimes at odds with modern teaching approaches. Carmen highlights the importance of considering whether academic excellence should be the ultimate goal, "I feel like I have opinions on both sides. It's just a really complex topic."

• Flexibility and Autonomy in Teaching: Carmen emphasizes the autonomy and trust she enjoys at her school, enabling her to make decisions about curriculum and teaching methods. This freedom allows for more innovative and personalized approaches to teaching, "I feel trusted, and it makes me feel powerful as a teacher to be able to do that."

• The Power of Trust in Education: The conversation underscores the significance of trust in education, both in terms of autonomy and fostering a student's sense of responsibility. Trusting teachers to guide students towards proficiency rather than grades can lead to more meaningful learning experiences.

Overall, this episode encourages educators to reflect on traditional teaching norms and embrace the autonomy and trust that can lead to more innovative and student-centered teaching practices.

Discussion questions for PLC and PD: 

• How can educators challenge and redefine the conventional notion of excellence in education within their own teaching contexts, fostering a more holistic and student-centered approach to learning?

• In what ways can schools and educational institutions promote teacher autonomy and trust, allowing educators to make curriculum and pedagogical decisions that best serve their students' needs while maintaining educational standards?

• How might the shift from a focus on grades to a focus on proficiency and skill development impact the learning experiences of students? What strategies can educators employ to create a learning environment that encourages students to take responsibility for their own learning journey?

Our Host

Zach Diamond studied Music History and Theory at Oberlin College and received a Masters of Music in Music Education from Boston University. He taught music for five years in Lima, Peru, and is currently a Middle School music teacher at DC International School, a language-immersion school where he teaches in Spanish. He began implementing the Modern Classrooms Model in the 19-20 School Year and enthusiastically continues his work with the organization as a mentor and podcast producer.

Our Guest: Carmen Welton

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