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 Kendra Jergovic and Nick LeDoux, to discuss the challenges and successes of implementing blended learning with early learners.

Here are three key takeaways from this podcast episode:

• Collaboration is key! Sharing resources and brainstorming with colleagues helps educators overcome challenges and refine their blended learning approach. Kendra shares, "I think that the more access to technology that we have, the more learning becomes global... And so our brains are really used to working faster, and they're needing more food, which is knowledge."

• Blended learning is not about one-size-fits-all implementation. Educators can take it slow, chunk the content, and prioritize manageable implementation to avoid overwhelm.

• Student motivation is crucial. By creating a culture of growth mindset and offering students more control over their learning, educators can foster a love of learning. Nick points out, "Our district has adopted UDL ... And this framework for me is like, okay, not only do students become expert learners, because they're learning how to organize and self motivate and work towards mastery. But as Kendra said, with their daughter, they start to develop the love of learning itself."

Discussion questions for PLC and PD: 

• Collaboration and Innovation: The summary mentions the value of collaboration between educators. How can you leverage your current professional learning communities (PLCs) or create new spaces for educators in your school or district to share best practices and troubleshoot challenges when implementing blended learning in early grades?

• Chunking Content and Pacing: The educators in the podcast took a chunked approach to blended learning. Consider your current curriculum and blended learning goals. How can you break down content into manageable chunks for your students and what strategies can you use to ensure a successful pace for both motivated and students who need extra support?

• Motivation and Growth Mindset: The podcast emphasizes the importance of fostering a love of learning. Reflect on your current classroom practices. What are some ways you can create a growth mindset culture that encourages student autonomy and motivation in your blended learning environment?

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

Kendra Jergovic

I am a busy mom of three kids, wife to amazing husband, horse mom, and first-grade teacher from the popular tourist village of Leavenworth, WA. My life is filled with exploring the great outdoors, traveling, building houses, and diving into K-5 education both as a parent and an educator. I am an avid learner and am always seeking new knowledge and experiences.

Nick LeDoux

As a father, husband, and teacher, I have dedicated nine years to the teaching profession. Throughout my career, I have consistently challenged the status quo. I am always asking myself, ‘How can I improve?’ Whether I’m diving headfirst into integrating technology into my classroom or exploring Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to enhance accessibility for my students I now strive to blend these approaches to best meet the needs of my students.

If you like what you hear in this episode, share it with a friend or subscribe to get updates when new podcasts are published.