In a move to bring classroom learning in line with the complexities of the real world, Columbus City Schools (CCS) has teamed up with the Korda Institute to usher in an era of education that blurs the boundary between school instruction and real-life challenges. The latest chapter in this collaboration saw a group of dedicated educators from middle and high schools across Columbus participate in the Korda Institute’s Fellowship for 21st Century Teaching & Learning, as reported by the district's website.
Beyond the confines of conventional classrooms, 43 educators have thrown themselves into the task of crafting a plan for a workforce development program catered to Jewish Family Services. This initiative is part of a year-long fellowship that not only provides professional development but also encourages educators to experiment and innovate teaching methods. "What the [participants' students] get is they will be learning in an entirely different way with methods backed by science that result in much deeper learning," Doris Korda, chief executive officer of the Korda Institute, told Columbus City Schools.
The immersive experience has educators connect academic content to real-world problems, thereby fostering deeper learning experiences for students. Community engagement remains a focal point, evident as each participant partners with local organizations to confront and strategize solutions to contemporary challenges faced within the community. Former partners include Rumpke, Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks, and All People Arts. Reflecting on the partnership, Hannah Barney, corporate and community engagement manager for Jewish Family Services, said, "We're really proud to help this year's teachers and fellow learners strategize to transform how students learn," in a statement obtained by Columbus City Schools.
The weeklong program culminated with educators, divided into diverse teams, presenting an array of solutions to Jewish Family Services' workforce development challenge. These included service-based business proposals, investment strategies, and social media campaigns—all meticulously developed through hands-on problem-solving and design-thinking methods. Dr. Danielle Bomar, certification director for the Korda Institute, emphasized that "We believe in teaching by doing," as per CCS, as educators themselves grapple with the nervousness and empathy of presenting solutions—an experience that mirrors what their students go through.
Among the participants was Symone Blackwell, an English teacher from South High School, who highlighted the significance of integrating community elements into the classroom to benefit her students. "At South High, I serve a completely different demographic of students who need a more unique way to be a part of their community on the South Side," Blackwell told Columbus City Schools. Her reflections underscore the Fellowship's overarching mission, to create classroom environments where curiosity is the driving force and students are empowered to address tangible challenges in their immediate world.
