Education Management
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Teachers: Thank you for inspiring students in their learning

Israel Budz

At a glance:

  • We send a heartfelt “THANK YOU!” to all the teachers around the world for the incredible work you continue to do, finding new ways to engage and inspire students despite continuing challenges and uncertainty.
  • During remote and hybrid learning, teachers have innovated by integrating technology and learning to engage students. 82 percent of educators agree that this past year accelerated the pace at which technology has driven innovation in teaching and learning. 
  • As schools reimagine learning, several key elements are being brought together to form a holistic approach to learning: student centricity, skills focus, social learning, safety and security, and scalability. There are several technologies that are critical to support learning, including collaborative online environments, analytics and feedback tools, and inclusive, immersive experiences that support deep understanding of complex concepts. 
  • To further support teachers and students on this journey, today we’re announcing new apps and features including
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Education Management
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Project SEARCH partnerships lead students to workplace success | News

Israel Budz

When employers focus on abilities instead of disabilities, Project SEARCH instructor Tammy Hearon knows students can succeed despite special needs.

Arconic proved that by “job carving,” matching Aryn McAndrew’s skills with work the company needed to be done. Three days a week, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., McAndrew pulls charts, files paperwork and prepares rooms in the company’s medical department.

“She has her own office with her own nameplate,” Hearon said during a celebration Tuesday, April 20, for all five Project SEARCH graduates at the Blount County Schools Central Office.

This marks the sixth year the program has led to competitive employment for all of the students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, all of whom come from William Blount and Heritage high schools.

The pandemic made the program more challenging this year, but Hearon said it also created new opportunities.

Usually Project SEARCH is centered on the

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Education Games
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Baldwin County students participate in special education spring games

Israel Budz

FAIRHOPE, Ala. (WKRG) — It’s the Baldwin County Special Education Spring Games this week in Fairhope, bringing out students from schools across the county Thursday and Friday for the two-day event.

“It’s our young people coming out here and enjoying an opportunity to be a part of something very special,” Superintendent Eddie Tyler said.

This year’s games are branded differently, but it’s the same purpose and spirit. After a year off thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, these students are back on the field showing off their skills.

“It feels good having everybody cheer y’all on?” WKRG News 5’s Blake Brown asked a student. “Yes,” Orange Beach seventh-grader Cove Wallace responded. Cove’s mom says it’s a week her family looks forward to each year, and they’re glad the games are back.

“It’s the best day of the year in Baldwin County. My heart is full,” Heather Wallace said.

With recent changes

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Smart Education
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Kristin Smart case: Cal Poly SLO students to hold vigil

Israel Budz

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More than 250 supporters attend a candlelight vigil for Kristin Smart in front of Paul Flores’ family home in Arroyo Grande in November 2020. Cal Poly students are planning to hold a candlelight vigil for Smart on Tuesday, April 13, 2021.


Laura Dickinson

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When Michelle Mueller heard Tuesday that a murder suspect had been arrested in connection to missing Cal Poly student Kristin Smart, the news hit close to home.

Mueller, a first-year student at the San Luis Obispo university, said that she knew she wanted to do something to honor Smart, who disappeared nearly 25 years ago.

So Mueller organized an impromptu candlelight vigil in Smart’s memory.

“We wanted to honor her and her legacy since it is strongly believed that she was murdered here,” Mueller said. “We all know about the whole story. … That could have been literally any single one of us — my friends,

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