Durham Public Schools

The Modern Classrooms Project is a teacher-created nonprofit that empowers educators to build classrooms that respond to every student’s needs. We lead a movement of educators in implementing a self-paced, mastery-based instructional model that leverages technology to foster human connection, authentic learning, and social-emotional growth.

This program is a self-paced, mentor-supported course that teaches you how to build a Modern Classroom. It’s all in the name:

• Virtual: Online and asynchronous (with optional live sessions), giving you the flexibility to complete your learning at a time that works for you.

• Mentorship: You’ll be paired with an Expert Mentor, who will support you in adapting our model to your and your learners’ unique needs.

• Program: A cohort-based course with information, resources, live sessions, and required submissions.

At the end of the program, you will have three fully planned blended, self-paced, mastery-based lessons, plus the tools and knowledge to create more. If you’re using a specific curriculum or tool, your Expert Mentor can offer guidance and advice on leveraging them in your Modern Classroom. You’ll be able to launch your own Modern Classroom right away!

We’ve seen our approach work for learners in all grade levels and subject areas, from pre-K through college.

While our model can work for everyone, we offer grade- and subject-specific content throughout the program:

• Resources and examples in your subject/grade level

• A mentor who teaches content similar to yours

• Optional live discussion groups with similar educators

Need to see some examples of Modern Classrooms in a similar grade or content area? Explore a few classrooms here.

During the program, you’ll learn through videos made by Modern Classrooms staff who were once classroom teachers using our methods.

You’ll also work closely with an Expert Mentor who uses the Modern Classrooms approach in their classroom and has been specially trained to give research-backed feedback to you. They understand your grade and subject-area needs, and they tailor their feedback and support based on your goals and preferences. Many of them started where you are now - exploring a new approach to instruction and being mentored in our program.

During the program, you’ll experience blended, self-paced, mastery-based learning firsthand. We’ll introduce our core practices, and you’ll have the chance to apply them by creating materials to use with your own students. You’ll share these materials with your Expert Mentor for detailed feedback. Your mentor is also available for phone or email support when you need it.

At the end of the program, you’ll have three complete lessons that you can use with your students. This includes a self-paced learning tracker, mastery checks and instructional videos for each lesson, and detailed plans for student collaboration and systems to implement what you’ve learned.

Learn more about each submission here.

You can expect to work between 25-30 hours during your session. This varies by session you choose:

School-Year Sessions (October and January start dates):

• The session runs for 12 weeks

• Estimated three hours of work per week

• Suggested submission deadlines every two weeks

• 1-2 live webinars or discussion groups offered each week (optional)

Summer Sessions (May and June start dates):

• The session runs for five weeks

• Estimated six hours of work per week

• Suggested submission deadlines each week on Sundays

• 2-4 live workshops, webinars, and discussion groups offered each week (optional)

You’ll complete modules in an online course at your own pace. You can decide when, where, and how long you work through each module based on your schedule.

Before the session’s start date, you’ll receive a session guide with dates and times for optional live sessions as well as dates of suggested deadlines.

Administrators and instructional coaches have differentiated learning tasks that help them support Modern Classroom educators in their schools or districts.