Ashley Haynes has embraced an innovative approach to improve learning in her 8th-grade math classes at Hazard Middle School.
Ashley describes her “Flipping and Swiveling Project” as a set of strategies to enhance student learning and achievement by reversing the traditional teacher-centered model of a classroom to a Flipped Learning model, focusing class time on student-centered active learning strategies rather than on lectures. She has been able to pursue this teaching approach after being awarded an “Innovation Grant” from the Kentucky Valley Educational Cooperative (KVEC). She has been able to acquire a Swivl C3 robot, Swivl Floor Stand, Swivl Lanyard Clip, and expand lens for iPad to provide high-quality recordings of her lessons through the $1,000 grant.
Being aware of other colleagues in the KVEC service area successfully using “Flipped Classrooms” her project centers on the question “will recording lessons and posting on Google Classroom improve student achievement for students who are chronically absent?” Ashley says “after reviewing the 2016-2017 H.M.S. Attendance Committee’s list of chronically absent students, I noticed that 7th-grade students who were identified as having an excessive number of absences had also performed below grade level on the Moby Max Math Placement Test during the current school year. To address this problem, I want to shift from a traditional teacher-centered model to a more collaborative, student-centered learning environment, by the means of a ‘Flipped Classroom’ in an effort to create a personalized experience for every student.”
Ashley’s project was funded through the KVEC “Race to the Top” federal funding by the U.S. Department of Education. She was one of over 100 instructors who presented at the Forging Innovation in Rural Education (FIRE) Summit, a multi-district K-12 educational professional learning event October 25 in Pikeville, KY. More than 17,000 viewers, from 15 countries and 42 states, tuned in to the live stream provided by KVEC’s digital platform the Holler to watch Ashley’s and the other presentations. She will present the final results of her project on April 11 in the Spring FIRE Summit in Pikeville.
Ashley did not plan on being a teacher when she entered college. “While attending the Hazard Independent Schools, I was surrounded by phenomenal teachers who instilled a love of learning beyond measure,” Ashley explains. “When thinking back over the years, I can recall three influential teachers who had me convinced that I was destined to become a teacher due to their admirable work. However, I didn’t initially start out as an education major, but I soon discovered that teaching was my passion after tutoring as an undergraduate student. Needless to say, I changed my major, and I haven’t looked back since!
“Along with Mrs. Hammonds, Mrs. Pulliam, and Mr. Bentley from the Hazard Independent Schools, there were two other individuals who influenced me to become a teacher, my parents,” she continues. “Neither of my parents graduated from college, so they have always stressed the importance of receiving a formal education. Because of the tremendous support system that I had growing up as a child and the one that still remains today, reaching my education and career goals have been made possible.”
She is very excited about the Flipped Classroom concept. Ashley adds “With regards to what I consider to be my greatest contribution and accomplishment in education, it is the work that I have done with my students who have Individualized Education Plans, although I am not a Special Education Teacher. Over the years, I have taken great pride in watching these students grow and progress throughout the school year providing validation that all students can learn at their own pace given the appropriate accommodations and differentiated instruction.”
Ashely’s and the other “Innovation” presentations can be found on the www.theholler.org.
