Classroom Conversations

Our season-long examination of personalized learning, the student-centered practices for heightened student engagement, draws to an uplifting close in the finale episode. Early Childhood Special Education Teacher Sarah Bazzy from Camp Creek Elementary School in Gwinnett County Public Schools joins the podcast with an alliterative set of priorities inspired by her “littles” that propels PL instruction in every content area.

The best reviews for student choice and flexible learning environments come from educators embracing personalized learning in the field. In this conversation, lean on the wisdom of PL implementation experts, Georgia's regional educational service agencies (RESAs). RESA representative Uvonda Mitchell from Chattahoochee-Flint RESA reports in with feedback on a fascinating question: do academic coaches and their teacher trainees ultimately adopt, adapt, or abandon personalized learning practices?

How do teachers assess content mastery in personalized learning, when students choose their own learning trajectory? Georgia's runner-up for 2025 Teacher of the Year and 3rd-5th grade STEM teacher from City Schools of Decatur Alicia Reno visits the podcast with her sensational STEM strategies. By connecting the standards to real life, application person Alicia first hooks students on the process of learning, then co-designs authentic, individualized assessments to help learners show what they know.

Hear the impactful story of Cherokee County students who operate a personalized learning-driven food pantry to fulfill a need in their home community. Cherokee High School's World Languages Teacher and Bilingual Student Support Specialist Jennifer Rasmussen dishes on the self-made Workplace Spanish curriculum that enabled students to explore individualized career paths through the vehicle of collaboration.

Teaching that focuses on student strengths rather than weaknesses often leads to a resurgence of creativity in the classroom. Richmond Hill Middle School's new science teacher, PLC Lead, and Gifted Lead Charvez Holmes clues us in on asset-based personalized learning initiatives that she is bringing to Bryan County Schools to bring out the best in students.

Student goal-setting, a personalized learning core competency, works motivational wonders for student growth. In discussion with Early Intervention Program Teacher Megan Mull from Cherokee County's Oak Grove Elementary School STEAM Academy, this episode explores how to co-plan with young learners to set short and long-term goals. Megan presents a digestible bite-sized approach to bridge the gap between where students are and where they need to be.

Our personalized learning reconnaissance continues with practical, tactical insights from the GRE4T Initiative's PL bootcamp. Borrow takeaways from a Peach County Schools insider whose faculty attended bootcamp to absorb key strategies. With a salute to structured chaos and her motivating mantra of "model and practice," Assistant Principal Teletta Marable brings the basic training teachers need to understand the assignment.

Teachers trying out personalized learning may wonder, "Will prioritizing learner agency spell chaos for my classroom?" Shifting instruction to a high level of student ownership can be a challenge for educators. From Clayton County Public Schools, Director of Instructional Coaching and Teacher Support Monique Drewry explains what's driving this challenge, and provides rock-solid intel on PL to allay concerns.

Teachers trying out personalized learning may wonder, "Will prioritizing learner agency spell chaos for my classroom?" Shifting instruction to a high level of student ownership can be a challenge for educators. From Clayton County Public Schools, Director of Instructional Coaching and Teacher Support Monique Drewry explains what's driving this challenge, and provides rock-solid intel on PL to allay concerns.

This conversation with Media Specialist Dr. Amanda White from Fayette County Public Schools promises a perspective shift about media centers that will enhance students' personalized learning. Learn how to lay out and leverage your school's largest classroom, the library, in a friendly format that invites learner agency.

Personalized learning—that is, student-centered practices for heightened engagement—is gaining a foothold in Georgia schools. In a Classroom Conversations first, join us for a ten-episode, season-long exploration of all things personalized learning. Twiggs County's Personalized Learning Director Dr. Shiona Drummer drums up enthusiasm in our first episode with the basics and benefits of a tailored approach to learning that is here to stay.

In part two of our Classroom Conversations mini-series "Back to School with Tech," learn how to put the fire back in teaching with technology. From the Georgia Educational Technology Conference, two educators share ideas to enhance your instructional prowess. Schley County STEAM teacher Shelee McCorkle falls in love with a special software at GaETC, and Fulton County Instructional Coach Amy Long presents a way to make feedback efficient.

In part one of a three-part LIVE and in the wild mini-series called “Back to School with Tech,” we take you behind the scenes of the Georgia Educational Technology Conference, GaETC. Hear from educators who are harnessing the disruptive force of assistive technologies to help students create in a digital learning landscape. Fulton County School District’s Director of Instructional Technology Heather Van Looy and Science teacher Neal Golding share how they use technology to make learning come alive.

In our “Back to School with Tech” finale from the Georgia Educational Technology Conference, the word is connection. Align strategy with technology in GaConnects and broaden your professional learning network at GaETC. Chattahoochee-Flint RESA’s Heidi Goodin and Tonya Barrett talk Georgia Movie Academy, and math teacher Andrea Powell shares a slam dunk with anchor charts and assessment item banks.

More than 12% of Georgia’s school-age children are affected by asthma. In the continuation of our Health Barriers to Learning series, we explore this often overlooked problem in our schools and learn how the creation of asthma-friendly spaces can improve student learning. Join us in conversation with Dr. Maisha Otway, principal at College Park Elementary, and Daija Norwood, fifth-grade teacher at High Point Elementary, to learn more about asthma-friendly practices.

As Georgia kicks off its new “Teach in the Peach” campaign, we’re celebrating the passion and purpose behind the profession with stories from the classroom, campus, and beyond. Join us in conversation with 2024 Georgia Teacher of the Year, Christy Todd, along with Jay Lovett and Jonathan Feicht. Whether you’re a veteran, a newbie, or just curious—this episode is for you. Let’s talk recruitment, retention, and the future of teaching in Georgia.

Be present and accounted for in learning the strategies that address chronic absenteeism. Hear Dr. Duke Bradley III (superintendent, Newton County Schools) and Dr. Dana Rickman (president and CEO, GPEE) as they discuss how to improve student attendance.

Put STEM theory into practice with the modern day science fair! Join us in conversation with Shelley Kozowski, Science Fair Coordinator at Whitewater High School and Laura Brewer, the program director of the Georgia Science and Engineering Fair.

To celebrate Arts in Education month, we're rerunning one of our favorite arts episodes! Join us in conversation with music teachers, Melissa Delman and Michael Kobito to learn how music can develop a greater sense of community and collaboration in our classrooms.

In honor of Pi Day, we're rerunning this special episode with tips on getting students excited about numbers in math class and beyond! Join us in conversation with Seticia Smith of Oak Hill Middle School to learn more.