Case Study: PA Elementary School Teacher Brings a Strengths-Based Approach to Teaching and Learning
Myers Elementary School
Leah Frederick, a 4th grade math and science teacher at Myers Elementary school, was looking for enrichment opportunities for her students that allowed them to truly master the 4th grade content with greater depth and complexity. Leah is a seasoned teacher with 7 years of teaching experience, a seminar speaker for Penn State Altoona’s undergraduate teacher candidates, and an active teacher mentor for the Modern Classrooms Project.
Leah researched new solutions to introduce to her classroom and decided that MindPrint provided what she felt was missing. She was intrigued by MindPrint’s strengths-based approach to teaching and learning, their bank of learning strategies, as well as the professional development offered that focuses on how to effectively implement the strategies.
In September 2023, all 4th grade students in Leah’s class were given the MindPrint assessment. Leah analyzed every student’s MindPrint Profile before having individual meetings with each student to discuss their MindPrint results. In many instances, the MindPrint results highlighted student’s strengths that they didn’t know existed in themselves!
She’s used MindPrint strategies such as incorporating more multi-sensory content, especially seeing and touching, rhymes, mnemonic devices, and retrieval practice, among others.
Additionally, Leah has used students’ MindPrint results in IEP meetings to help identify the root cause behind students’ academic performance and her observations of them, as well as to help determine the strategies that would support their specific needs.
Leah reported many positive changes in her students this year. Despite their young age, Leah’s students developed a sense of self-awareness around their learning strengths and areas to grow. They were motivated to use the MindPrint strategies and without prompting. Moreover, they started advocating for what they need from teachers and their classes. She highlighted, “The kids liked hearing how each of their brains were different and special. I even heard them say things like, ‘My brain doesn't see it this way’.” Leah firmly believes that her students’ understanding and consistent use of the MindPrint strategies will better equip them for the transition to middle school next year.
As for Leah’s own growth and development, Leah affirmed, “The Mindprint professional development was very helpful and meaningful.” And, “MindPrint gave me more strategies to add to my tool box.” Not only this, Leah feels more intentional about how she is using the instructional strategies she already knew about for years.
While Leah saw qualitative advantages to using MindPrint, she is now looking forward to comparing assessment data from the beginning of the school year to the end. She is excited to continue using MindPrint. Additionally, Leah is adding the MindPrint strategies to her classroom website so students and families can more easily integrate them into their daily lives.
MindPrint Learning joined forces with the Modern Classrooms Project to offer a pilot combined program in the 2023-2024 school year. In this pilot, educators utilize the MindPrint Assessment, Strategies, and MindPrint Science of Learning Professional Development to focus on strengths-based, personalized learning.
The Modern Classrooms Project is an innovative program that helps educators re-engineer their classrooms - so that every student, in every classroom, gets the support they need. Teachers join the movement by enrolling in an online professional development course focused on researched-backed instructional models including blended instruction, self-paced structures, and mastery-based learning.
