Driving Toward Mastery in Health, PE, and Driver’s Ed
Welcome to the Modern Classrooms Project Podcast. Each week we bring you discussions with educators on how they use blended, self-paced, and mastery-based learning to better serve their learners. In this episode, Toni Rose Deanon is joined by Debbie Fry, a PE, Health, and Driver Educator of 22 years, to share her journey implementing a blended, self-paced, and mastery-based learning environment.
Initially piloting Modern Classrooms Project in driver's ed, Debbie quickly recognized its value, particularly the self-paced, blended learning model. Debbie emphasizes the importance of mastery checks and clear pacing, which have significantly reduced student anxiety and increased engagement.
Here are three key takeaways from this podcast episode:
Modern Classrooms Project can be effectively implemented in diverse subjects. For example, Debbie modified the model to work in a weight-lifting class by using parts of the model, like self-pacing, and aspire to do activities. She encourages educators to "trust the process" and start with small changes, emphasizing the positive impact on student motivation and achievement.
Clear pacing, mastery checks, and structured team roles significantly enhance student engagement and reduce anxiety. Debbie used a public tracker and highlighted students who were on pace, which motivated students to stay on track. She also used mastery checks to build student confidence before they took the DMV permit test.
Collaborative learning and a supportive school environment are crucial for successful implementation. She highlights the collaborative nature of Modern Classrooms, crediting her supportive administration and fellow educators for their guidance.
Discussion questions for PLC and PD:
Debbie emphasizes the importance of clear pacing and mastery checks in reducing student anxiety and increasing engagement. How can educators adapt these strategies to fit the unique needs and constraints of their subject areas and student populations, particularly in subjects that are traditionally less "academic" like PE or driver's education?
Debbie highlights the collaborative nature of implementing Modern Classrooms Project, including learning walks and online communities. What strategies can schools and districts employ to foster a culture of collaboration and shared learning among educators, particularly when introducing new instructional models?
Debbie advises educators to "start small" when implementing MCP and to "trust the process." What are some specific, manageable first steps that educators can take to begin incorporating elements of self-paced, blended learning into their classrooms, and how can they cultivate a mindset of flexibility and adaptation in the face of initial challenges?
Our Host
Toni Rose taught MS English for 10 years and will forever identify as a teacher. Toni Rose strives to be the teacher that they never had growing up, so they focus on anti-bias, anti-racist work and wants to create a brave space for everyone around them. As a queer Filipinx, they understand just how important it is to be represented, be valued, and belong. They especially love being a thought partner for and celebrating teachers.
Our Guests
Debbie Fry
Debbie Fry is a Health, Physical Education, and Driver Education teacher at Indian River High School in Chesapeake, Virginia. She has 22 years of teaching experience at middle and high school levels. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, and is pursuing her master's degree in educational leadership. She is the current department chair at Indian River High School and has worked on curriculum development with Chesapeake Public Schools and the Virginia Department of Education. She is a year one MCP educator and is an advocate for student-led inclusive classrooms.
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