Adrienne Porter, Citizen Schools’ Director of Educator Development, had the unique opportunity to speak on a panel on the national stage of SXSW EDU Conference & Festival. Her panel, Educator PD: Key to Increasing Student Achievement, was presented by American Student Assistance (ASA) and discussed how an ecosystem can help educators enhance their competency to develop career-focused and project-based learning experiences for their students. She sat on a panel with Kevin Fudge (ASA), JD LaRock (Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship) and Stephanie Simpson (Association For Middle Level Education).

Read on to hear Adrienne’s take on this wonderful opportunity:

You had the opportunity to sit on a panel about educator professional development and increasing student achievement—what was the biggest takeaway that you shared?

The biggest takeaway I shared was stressing the importance of educator development. Leadership from school administration is needed to champion relevant tools, access and resources to succeed. I also placed emphasis on how experiential learning and design provides brave and creative spaces for both educators and students and how Citizen Schools aims to strengthen the bond bond between project and community-based learning pedagogy.

You sat on a panel with other thought leaders, what did you feel you connected most on?

The leaders and I connected most about our understanding that the career-connection to content and providing tangible learning experiences for students begins with educator development, coaching and teaching adult learners.

How does an experience like this help shape your work at Citizen Schools?

This experience has made me all the more proud of the work Citizen Schools has done and the trajectory of our future work. I strive to continue networking and partnering with other like-minded organizations and people doing the work—having vision and passion for education and its future and bringing those hopes and visions into fruition.

Why experiential learning? What makes it stand out in the classroom? 

In my opinion, teaching through the lens of experiential learning brings the words of textbooks, ideas of the learner and creativity of the educator to life. It charges and challenges educators to share the reins of instructional leadership with their pupils, providing in that partnership, a new autonomy and ownership of learning. 

Give us one fun fact about the city of Austin that you discovered.

Austin is nearly the same size as where I now call home: New York City! 

ABOUT AMERICAN STUDENT ASSISTANCE® (ASA)

American Student Assistance® (ASA) is a national nonprofit committed to helping kids know themselves, know their options, and make informed choices to achieve their education and career goals. ASA® has a 60-year legacy of working directly with students to increase their access to higher education through loans and financial education. ASA has turned its experience into impactful solutions for students in grades 6-12 to help them pursue their dreams. To learn more about ASA, visit www.asa.org/about-us.

ABOUT CITIZEN SCHOOLS

For over 25 years, Citizen Schools has been a pioneer in educational equity. They have provided hands-on learning experiences that ignite curiosity, build confidence, and expand horizons for over 50,000 middle school students in underrepresented communities. Together with their partners, including 25,000 career mentors, they have exposed students to new ideas and connections. To learn more, visit citizenschools.org.