Galt Joint Union Elementary School District: Creating personalized learning strategies and mentor relationships to build connection with disengaged learners
This district south of Sacramento is two-thirds BIPOC and is widely recognized as a learning organization with a lot of heart.
Project profile: Our pilot project will inspire disengaged learners from ages 8 - 14 with new learning opportunities and access to real-world environments. Students will be assigned a caring adult to provide coaching and facilitate the details of the learner’s personalized academic journey. They will coach learners in compassionate awareness, strengths mindset, and the 5 C’s: communication, collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, and community. Measurement will be student-centered and driven in ways that demonstrate and celebrate the whole child’s social and future identity development.
“This is the first time that we have been free to do what is best for our children and not be constrained by a lot of grant requirements. We thank you for the whole experience from the bottom of our hearts.”
— Claudia del Toro, Director of Curriculum, Galt Joint Unified School District
Design is an iterative process where we share work in progress. Over the course of two months, Galt Joint Union Elementary SD practiced design thinking and created a prototype. See below for a video of this early prototype.
Year 1 Update
The Learning Academy with Mentor Teachers created a safe place for young people to thrive, develop, and gain confidence. Throughout the year, the learners participated in various experiences to apply their strengths and build a positive case to believe in themselves. We are delighted and very proud of the relationship building and team building Ms. Haas and Mrs. Daluz created and supported throughout the year, we could not have been successful without them. The positive memories and engagement will be a permanent part of each learner's journey.
“Bryan is new to our school this year. When we first met him he had a hard time staying in class and would give up easily when asked to work. He struggled with building positive relationships with peers and adults. When we invited him to our program we weren't sure that he would even come. Bryan attends program every week and is only absent when he is sick. He does not get as frustrated and does not immediately give up when tasks are difficult for him. He has formed many new friendships and has a positive relationship with his teachers.”
—Megan Haas
To learn more about this project contact Jennifer Collier at jcollier@galt.k12.ca.us