Aziza Malik, the 2024 Vermont State Teacher of the Year, shares her journey in education and her passion for place-based and community-driven learning. She discusses her background in environmental and farm-based education and how it has influenced her teaching. Aziza emphasizes the importance of bringing the community into the classroom and giving students opportunities to make a difference in their community. She shares examples of projects where students work on climate goals, create public service announcements, and revamp cafeteria menus. Aziza also highlights the leadership role of fifth-grade students and the importance of giving every student a voice and a role in projects. In this conversation, Aziza Malik, the 2024 Vermont Teacher of the Year, discusses the challenges and opportunities of teaching in a diverse community. She emphasizes the importance of building relationships with students and meeting them where they are. Aziza also shares her experiences with integrating technology into the classroom and the benefits it brings to student learning. She highlights the value of personalized feedback, differentiated instruction, and the use of various digital tools. Despite the administrative pressures and data-driven expectations, Aziza encourages educators to focus on what truly matters: the holistic growth and well-being of their students.
Takeaways
Place-based and community-driven learning can have a significant impact on students' education and their connection to their community.
Giving students opportunities to make a difference in their community helps them develop leadership skills and a sense of agency.
Projects should be driven by student interests and community needs, and every student should have a role and a voice in the project.
Building partnerships with community organizations and government agencies can enhance the learning experience and create meaningful connections.
Teachers should have a passion for their projects and find like-minded individuals to collaborate with.
Differentiation and support are essential to ensure that every student can participate and contribute to the project. Building relationships with students is crucial for creating a positive school experience.
Technology can enhance instruction and provide personalized feedback and targeted instruction.
Teachers should focus on what truly matters and prioritize the holistic growth and well-being of their students.
Meeting the needs of diverse learners requires a collaborative approach and utilizing available resources.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
09:44 Place-Based and Community-Driven Learning
21:21 Creating Meaningful Partnerships
24:25 Passion Projects and Differentiation
28:14 Navigating State Testing and Professional Expectations
45:49 The Benefits of Integrating Technology in the Classroom
49:09 Prioritizing Holistic Growth and Well-being
53:48 Collaboration and Utilizing Available Resources for Diverse Learners
Email: amalik@bsdvt.org
Help us out!
Help us reach new listeners on iTunes by leaving us a rating and review! It takes just 30 seconds, and instructions can be found here. Thanks! We appreciate it!
