My innovation project, Meeting Learners Where They Are, explores using adaptive learning platforms (Khan Academy, Istation & Prodigy) to personalize math instruction for third-grade students, helping each student get exactly what they need and learn at their own pace. This project focuses on closing math gaps while boosting STAAR performance, strengthening foundational skills, and promoting student ownership over their learning progress.

Project Components:

Throughout the Applied Digital Learning program, I have developed a comprehensive foundation for this innovation project:

• Innovation Proposal: Laid the groundwork for using adaptive platforms to enhance student outcomes. 

• Organizational Change Strategy: Built a 4DX plan to support sustainable change while addressing resistance.

• Professional Learning Plan:  Designed professional development that incorporates voice and choice for teachers, aligning with the COVA model.

• Literature Review: Explores how adaptive platforms influence math learning outcomes, focusing on personalized instruction and support for students with learning challenges.
• Implementation Outline: Provides a clear roadmap for preparing and launching the project, including key milestones, a timeline, stakeholder responsibilities, and necessary resources for a successful rollout.
• Growth Mindset Reflection: Explores how embracing a growth mindset is essential for both students and educators during times of change and how it influences the success of the innovation.

• Instructional Design Plan: Created learner-centered, technology-rich environments using Fink’s and UbD frameworks.

• Learning Philosophy: Defines the values and priorities that shape my teaching practice, including equitable access to learning, responsiveness to individual needs, and cultivating a growth mindset.
• Publication Outline:  Summarizes a publication plan aimed at sharing the project’s design, implementation, and results with educators through appropriate professional channels.

• Action Research Plan:  Outlined a plan to measure impact through STAAR data and formative assessments.

Current Status

The project is at a point where all key components are in place, and the focus has shifted to preparing teachers and students for implementation in August 2025. Instructional resources, training materials, and the timeline have been developed, and ongoing collaboration with stakeholders will ensure a smooth transition into the launch phase. Ongoing data collection will span the academic year, with preliminary results reviewed in Spring 2026.

Lessons Learned

One of my biggest takeaways has been seeing how much better everyone responds when they feel heard and valued in decision-making. I've discovered that no matter how much I plan ahead, staying flexible is what really makes the difference. Step-by-step rollouts with built-in support have proven more effective than all-at-once implementation. Getting ahead of people's worries before they even voice them has been a game-changer for keeping things running smoothly.

What's Working

Making sure I'm thinking about what works for both kids and teachers has really helped me stay on track. Having everything in my ePortfolio has been incredibly helpful for showing people exactly what I'm trying to accomplish. Breaking everything down into chunks with clear deadlines has kept me from feeling overwhelmed and helped me see the path forward. Seeing that the research backs up what I'm doing has made me feel much more sure about my approach.

Needs Improvement

I realize I need to be more thorough in documenting everything so that others can learn from what I've done. I also recognize that I need to build in more support for teachers who might not be as comfortable with the tech side of things. I also need to gather baseline data on current student performance to help define more specific goals and guide implementation. Honestly, I should probably practice my pitch more and think through what people are going to want to know.

Promotion & Communication Plan

To communicate the impact and gather support, I plan to:

• Share results in district PD sessions

• Host a webinar for nearby rural districts

• Publish findings in journals like Learning Forward or Edutopia

• Share updates regularly via my ePortfolio and district newsletter

This project represents the foundation of my vision to create more personalized and effective learning experiences for students and more meaningful support for teachers. I didn’t just throw this all together, each component has been thoughtfully planned and researched to make a real difference in third grade math.

Next up? Bringing all of this work straight into the classroom. Together with teachers, I will introduce tools that adapt to their student’s needs, supporting them every step and letting their voices shape what comes next. We’ll get to see what kind of difference this actually makes for students, measuring real impact and building lasting partnerships, so the project evolves in ways that matter most.