Leadership drives shift towards personalized learning

If you’ve ever watched a student light up after solving a difficult problem or making connections, you know learning is personal. Personalized learning aims to meet students where they are, allowing them to progress at their own pace and in their own way.

Achieving this requires more than new tools or curriculum; it demands bold leadership, risk-taking, and a commitment to meaningful change. For many schools, transitioning from traditional teaching models to personalized learning involves reimagining classroom roles, adopting new instructional strategies, and supporting teachers and students through ongoing innovation.

EdSurge recently spoke with Dr. Joe Mancuso and Sean Ryan about how schools can advance toward personalized learning using technology. Mancuso, superintendent of Eastern York School District, oversees 2,300 students across five schools with 36 years of public education experience. Ryan is the president of McGraw Hill School Group and has two decades of experience in education technology.

Dr. Joe Mancuso discussed what inspired Eastern York School District to rethink its approach: "When I became superintendent in 2018, I met with every teacher and asked one key question: Do you feel the district is being progressive?" This led to conversations about 21st-century learning and educational readiness.

Mancuso explained that this initiative resulted in the Portrait of a Graduate program focusing on modern classrooms: "It meant shifting from teacher-centered to student-centered learning through professional development, curriculum, assessment and real-world connections."

Sean Ryan observed Eastern York's practice during his visit: "What stood out most was the district’s practice. They were awash in data; I saw it everywhere." He noted four key aspects for districts: imagination for the future, courage for change, organizational alignment from board to classroom, and student agency.

Regarding technology's role in personalizing learning at scale, Mancuso stated: "We created different pathways in our classrooms around time, path, pace and place." With McGraw Hill adaptive platforms in place, teachers receive real-time feedback to make data-driven decisions.

Ryan highlighted the need for relaxing constraints like clock and calendar limitations for competency-based education: "To fully realize personalized learning at scale...students can move at their own pace."

Mancuso advised school leaders considering similar transformations to explore brain-based research: "Engage stakeholders early...build a leadership team that believes in your vision."

Ryan emphasized listening to school districts and visionary leaders while supporting current paradigms alongside future innovations.

Both experts agree that educational transformation is an ongoing process without a final form but marked by milestones achieved together.