How I Built Resilience: Elisa Villanueva Beard of Teach For America

Adaptive Schedules

Schools are innovating with adaptive schedules to meet students' needs during remote learning. Elisa Villanueva Beard highlights how some schools are allowing students to work and engage in learning at different times, acknowledging the challenges many face at home 1. This flexibility aims to address the disengagement and boredom that existed even before the pandemic.

Schools are saying, hey, you go work. We're going to offer different times for engagement in learning.

--- Elisa Villanueva Beard

Such approaches could lead to significant breakthroughs in education by centering on students' realities and interests.

   

Building Connections

Building strong relationships between educators and students is crucial during remote learning. Elisa Villanueva Beard describes how schools are assigning educators to small groups of students to foster connections and accountability 1. This approach ensures that students' needs are met in real-time, adapting to their unique situations.

Every adult is going to be assigned a pot of kids at our school, about ten kids, and you are responsible for building a relationship.

--- Elisa Villanueva Beard

Additionally, parents are gaining a deeper understanding of teaching challenges, which could influence future educational policies 2.

   

Centered Learning

Centered learning prioritizes student-centric approaches, making education more relevant and engaging. Elisa Villanueva Beard emphasizes the importance of integrating real-world issues and community involvement into lessons, allowing students to solve problems in their local contexts 1. This method not only enhances learning but also prepares students for future challenges.

When schools are really centering their content, you know what the kids are engaging in in the world, when they're engaging community members into the actual lessons, and it's real, it's relevant.

--- Elisa Villanueva Beard

Teach For America's rigorous recruitment and training process further supports this approach, ensuring teachers are equipped to deliver culturally relevant and equitable education 3.