In a just published article for The Business Journals, former Joplin R-8 Assistant Superintendent Angie Besendorfer Martin explains how she used the Joplin tornado to transition the school district to digital learning.
In a first-person article published as part of Business Journals' "In Her Own Words" feature, Martin described how the tornado destroyed six district schools and the challenges faced by district officials.
Our mission was to create quality education experiences, and we had to rise to the occasion to reframe this period of chaos as an opportunity for growth. We couldn’t simply aim to return to the status quo. We had to resist the urge to revert to old ways and instead forge a new path forward. We embraced the concept that when you are living with things you thought you could never live without, you can question things you never questioned before.It’s hard to believe now, in a post-pandemic world, but digital learning was not mainstream in a K-12 setting at that time. I helped guide the community in re-imagining high school education, encouraging them to question things like “why should it take the same number of minutes to learn algebra as biology or art appreciation?” As a result, prioritization was placed on designing technology-focused, optimal student learning experiences and developing a strategic plan to rebuild a stronger educational infrastructure.
After Martin left the R-8 District, she served as chancellor at Western Governors University for several years and now is chief impact officer at AstrumU
10 comments:
Great educator! She was my principal and always encouraged us to be creative. She allowed us to try new approaches to education in our classrooms. Kay Vaughan
Always was full of herself. Wish I had the confidence of this mediocre white woman and her partner in crime, CJ Huff.
Sliced bread was invented in Missouri and I don't see why people can't give her credit for inventing whatever all this fancy digital learning is?
A key lieutenant in the ruination of the Joplin School District. Despised by many. Another example of failing upwards.
Agree to all.why bring race into this, though?
I’m a white woman and like to call out my own kind?
You probably have hurt many more fee fees with this clarification!
I bet this lady’s arms are sore from constantly patting herself on the back.
Destroyer of seasoned teachers. Ran them off, wasted money, cost us dearly. Sad to think about it.
You would never had interjected black if that were the case
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