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Unlocking Student Potential: Empowering Independence in the Classroom
Tuesday, January 21, 2025 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm EST
Presented by Jose Gonzalez, 21st Century Learning Specialist, Compton Unified School District (CA); and Meghan Polowin, Grade 8 Science and Technology Teacher, Fisher Park/Summit Alternative P.S., Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB)
Moderated by Karissa Bowen, Senior Project Manager, Ciena Solutions Challenge, Digital Promise Global
Sponsored by Digital Promise
Learn more about viewing the live presentation and the recording, earning your CE certificate, and using our new accessibility features.
Discover the key skills educators need to cultivate autonomous learners in this engaging edWebinar. Global educators from the Ciena Solutions Challenge share their experiences and offer practical examples of guiding students to becoming autonomous learners through real-world experiences.
Learn effective strategies and techniques to empower students to take charge of their learning journey, fostering a classroom environment that supports growth and self-reliance. This recorded edWebinar is perfect for middle and high school teachers looking to enhance their ability to nurture independent learners.
About the Presenters
Jose Gonzalez has been an educator for 23 years and is currently the 21st Century Learning Specialist at Davis Middle School, Compton Unified School District, in Compton, California. Jose’s passion is for project-based learning and giving students the opportunity to have a voice and choice in the learning process. His goal is to create a student-centered classroom where students are addressing real-world issues such as climate change and sustainability that affect their communities. Jose has presented at national events such as the ISTELive Conference 2024 and the Verizon VILS Virtual Conference. He has also represented the United States at the Teacher Tech Summit 2023 and as a member of the Ed Tech Panel at the World Bank Listens, Teacher Tech 2023. His school has been selected for the top 10 shortlisted school for the World’s Best School contest that was sponsored by T4 Education.
Meghan Polowin is a passionate middle school science educator based in Ottawa. With a diverse teaching background spanning multiple elementary curriculum areas, her core expertise lies in science, math, coding, and STEAM. A lifelong learner, Meghan thrives on collaboration with fellow educators and industry professionals to enhance her practice.
Meghan is a globally conscientious educator with a keen interest in developing global citizens in her classes. Committed to fostering a sustainable future, Meghan infuses her classroom with authentic, experiential learning opportunities. By engaging students in collaborative projects, critical thinking is nurtured as they explore real-world challenges. From social entrepreneurship initiatives and large-scale cross-curricular projects, Meghan creates a dynamic learning environment where students thrive. A champion of equity and global citizenship, Meghan empowers her students to explore STEM through a critical lens. Meghan’s infectious enthusiasm for STEM is evident in her engaging lessons and collaborative spirit.
About the Moderator
Karissa Bowen is a Senior Project Manager for Global Youth Voice on the Learning Experience Design team at Digital Promise. Karissa manages the programmatic and operations for the Ciena Solutions Challenge at Digital Promise. In her past experiences, Karissa has been a Teach For America corps member teaching second grade in Mississippi, served as a Servant Leader Intern and Site Coordinator at the Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools program, and finally transitioned as a Program Manager in the adult learning and development field at Communities In Schools National Office. Karissa holds a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Winston-Salem State University and a Master of Education degree specializing in training and development from North Carolina State University.
Learn more about viewing the live presentation and the recording, earning your CE certificate, and using our new accessibility features.
Join the Personalize Learning for Learner Variability community to network with educators, participate in online discussions, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates.
Digital Promise is a global nonprofit working to expand opportunity for every learner. We work with educators, researchers, technology leaders, and communities to design, investigate, and scale innovations that support learners, especially those who’ve been historically and systematically excluded. Our vision is that every person engages in powerful learning experiences that lead to a life of well-being, fulfillment, and economic mobility. For more information, visit the Digital Promise website and follow Digital Promise for updates.
