Jan. 6, 2025

The Vision for 21st Century Literacy

Show Notes
Transcript

Danielle's passion for education is palpable as she shares compelling stories of student empowerment and the importance of building meaningful relationships within diverse communities. Her insights remind us of the limitless potential that lies within every learner, and her call to action inspires the educational technology community to continue its impactful work. For anyone committed to advancing education in the 21st century, this conversation offers a wealth of inspiration and a renewed commitment to making a difference in the lives of students. Join us for this inspiring exploration of literacy and learning in today's digital age.

WEBVTT

00:00:01.864 --> 00:00:05.512
Welcome to Spotlight for Success by American Book Company.

00:00:05.512 --> 00:00:15.128
We are here at the Georgia Educational Technology Conference with Danielle Holmes, who is a literacy coordinator with Fulton County Schools.

00:00:15.128 --> 00:00:16.472
Welcome, Danielle.

00:00:16.881 --> 00:00:18.507
Hi, it's so good to be here.

00:00:18.899 --> 00:00:21.248
Yes, what brings you to Georgia?

00:00:21.248 --> 00:00:21.609
Etc.

00:00:22.519 --> 00:00:27.992
Well, I am the proud literacy coach here at Bethune Elementary School located in Atlanta.

00:00:27.992 --> 00:00:36.293
Georgia College Park and this is just a great opportunity to learn more tech tools and find ways to engage our students, especially in literacy.

00:00:36.293 --> 00:00:38.104
So excited to be here.

00:00:38.506 --> 00:00:43.765
That is wonderful, and what kind of takeaways do you have from the conference today?

00:00:44.466 --> 00:00:58.079
Oh, there are so many generated AI-generated tools, tech tools to support teachers in planning, that support students in learning, that can also be data drivers or drivers for coaches such as myself.

00:00:58.079 --> 00:01:04.748
Just easy ways for us to maximize instructional time and also delivery development, professional learning.

00:01:04.748 --> 00:01:07.939
Maximize instructional time and also delivery development, professional learning.

00:01:07.939 --> 00:01:15.373
I mean the way that the 21st century is headed, I think that it's only vital that we all spend our time trying to find ways to make sure engagement and achievement is the goal.

00:01:16.084 --> 00:01:16.959
Oh, that is wonderful.

00:01:16.959 --> 00:01:21.611
And so what are some of the latest initiatives you've done associated with it?

00:01:21.611 --> 00:01:24.930
I think you mentioned you're part of a center in Fulton County you've done associated with it.

00:01:24.950 --> 00:01:27.700
I think you mentioned you're part of a center in Fulton County.

00:01:27.700 --> 00:01:34.531
Yeah, so as we continue to strive and go towards literacy proficiency, our school has made an impact with other organizations.

00:01:34.531 --> 00:01:37.942
We've worked with the Skyhawks, we've had an opportunity to work with Vision to Learn.

00:01:37.942 --> 00:01:44.204
We have other schools and other centers coming by to support us, so it's a huge community of learners.

00:01:44.807 --> 00:01:45.670
That is wonderful.

00:01:45.670 --> 00:01:57.284
Can you share with us a story as a literacy coordinator that you found was really special in terms of reaching perhaps an individual student or a group of students?

00:01:58.106 --> 00:01:59.069
Oh for sure.

00:01:59.069 --> 00:02:21.956
I think the best thing that we can all say is building relationships really does matter, and the purpose is for our students to walk away knowing that they can learn and, over the years working in low-income schools, to see Bethune in itself grow from a failing school to now having the opportunity to be on the literacy leaders list of Georgia.

00:02:23.420 --> 00:02:23.542
Yes.

00:02:23.562 --> 00:02:29.563
I think that the science of reading, alongside passionate educators and students that come to school wanting to learn.

00:02:29.563 --> 00:02:30.106
Every day.

00:02:30.106 --> 00:02:32.627
I can't say it's just one student that we impact.

00:02:32.627 --> 00:02:39.545
I mean it's hundreds and over the years, thousands have come through our building and have walked away with success.

00:02:39.545 --> 00:02:49.568
So I think the story is rich and should be shared and, most importantly, we can learn that it doesn't matter where you're from, it doesn't matter the circumstance that you come from.

00:02:49.568 --> 00:02:51.927
All of us have the capability of being successful.

00:02:52.621 --> 00:02:53.887
That is wonderful.

00:02:53.887 --> 00:02:55.282
Well, that's what this is all about.

00:02:55.282 --> 00:02:56.105
That's why we're here.

00:02:56.105 --> 00:02:58.372
Wonderful, that's great.

00:02:58.372 --> 00:03:03.752
Do you have anything else you'd like to share, Danielle, with the group, with the educational technology community?

00:03:09.219 --> 00:03:09.943
Well, I just want to say keep it up.

00:03:09.943 --> 00:03:14.359
Somebody as novice as myself walking into this space, I feel loved, I feel cared for, I feel charged to do something great with this thing called learning and teaching.

00:03:14.359 --> 00:03:18.431
So I just say, continue to do what we do and the impact is going to continue to touch lives.

00:03:18.450 --> 00:03:20.302
So let's do it.

00:03:20.383 --> 00:03:20.924
All right.

00:03:20.924 --> 00:03:22.586
Thank you, Danielle.

00:03:22.586 --> 00:03:26.294
Again Danielle Holmes, with Fulton County Schools Literacy Coordinator.

00:03:26.294 --> 00:03:31.044
She is part of us here today at the Georgia Educational Technology Conference.

00:03:31.044 --> 00:03:34.026
A spotlight for success by American Book Company.

The Vision for 21st Century Literacy

Listen On

Recent Episodes