CONTACT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Shannon Haber, 213-393-1289 May 4, 2020
Los Angeles Unified Expands Efforts
To Help Educators Provide Online Instruction
LOS ANGELES – May 4, 2020 – Superintendent Austin Beutner today announced the launch of an expanded effort to help educators master online instruction including the tools and technologies, applying them to help students learn, practicing lesson planning, and teaching and learning more about how to engage students and their families in online learning.
Nearly all teachers in Los Angeles Unified have completed training in the basics of remote learning and more than half have signed up for an additional 30 hours of professional development in this new effort.
“We’ve connected almost all of our secondary school students, providing them with a device and internet access, and in another week or 10 days, we will reach that goal for elementary school students. The emphasis now is to help teachers take their talents online,” Superintendent Beutner said. “This effort will help educators – teachers and principals – master the tools and technologies, apply them to help students learn, practice lesson planning and teaching and learn more about how to engage students and their families in online learning.”
Educators will work with Los Angeles Unified leaders and education experts as they earn their Future Ready Certification. Guest contributors include Richard Culatta, CEO of the International Society for Technology in Education; Dr. Jane Margolis, senior researcher at the UCLA Graduate School of Education and Information Studies; Dr. Mitch Resnick, professor of learning research at the MIT Media Lab; and Jim Steyer, CEO of Common Sense Media/Education.
“The Future Ready Certification is another tool for our Los Angeles Unified family to continue professional development online and another way we are investing in our educators,” Board President Dr. Richard Vladovic said. “They are the key to the success of our students and will continue to ensure that the quality of instruction is the best.”
"I applaud this effort to invest in educators," Board Vice President Jackie Goldberg said. "Now that we know that schools will be closed for the rest of the academic year and into the summer, it is important that we encourage principals and teachers to develop and hone the skills they will need for online learning. Students and families are depending on us."
“Teachers have demonstrated the immeasurable value that they bring to the classroom while engaging their students in distance learning,” Board Member Dr. George J. McKenna III said. “The Future Ready certification will propel our teachers to the next level of excellence in their professional expertise.”
“Los Angeles Unified is leading the way in remote learning because our students deserve it,” Board Member Mónica García said. “We are grateful for the efforts to accelerate the process and deliver quality education to our students. Thank you to all the Los Angeles Unified staff, principals and teachers for putting kids first. We are all learners.”
“This pandemic has created many challenges for school districts across the nation,” Board Member Scott M. Schmerelson said. “The transition to distance learning has been difficult for all of us, especially for teachers. Over the past few weeks, teachers have had to learn to manipulate distance learning and adapt to different teaching methods and strategies while balancing their work and personal lives. They have gone above and beyond to take care of their students and families and have done an excellent job. Providing extra hours of professional development will only improve the quality of instruction and guarantee student success.”
“Los Angeles Unified remains committed to supporting our dedicated educators during these unprecedented times,” Board Member Nick Melvoin said. “We are grateful that so many have stepped up to hone their online teaching skills, and we will continue to lead the way on making this transition as smooth as possible for teachers and our families.”
“As we respond to the current crisis, our educators are rising to the challenge of providing instruction remotely,” Board Member Kelly Gonez said. “It's heartening that so many of our teachers and administrators have taken on the opportunity to learn, grow, and deepen their practice on behalf of our students.”
“The Future Ready Certification program provides a great opportunity to invest in our educators to ensure students receive high-quality instruction to make them Future Ready,” Chief Human Resources Officer Linda Del Cueto said.
“At this time, there is nothing more important to our students’ success than investing in teacher and administrator development so we can offer students and families our very best,” Chief Aca