K-12 Innovation

Our Focus

Cultivating the Learning brings technology integration to K-12 classrooms with a focus on the 4 Cs, blended learning, authentic learning, personalized learning, and innovation for21st century teaching and learning.

Teacher Collaboration

According to Goddard and Goddard (2007), "Rosenholtz (1989a) argued that isolation was probably the greatest impediment to ... improving existing [teaching] skills because it forced teachers to rely on trial and error and to fall back on their own memories of schooling for models of teaching."

Skills for Success

The ISTE Standards for 2016 lay the groundwork for success in the 21st century. While many jobs don't yet exist for this generation, we can prepare them by encouraging creativity, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking.

Training and PD

Training sessions are not sit and get. Instead, they are active lessons which model how teachers should use technology in the classroom. Teachers are up and moving, flipping their learning with videos and accountability activities, utilizing hyperdocs, blogging, participating in backchannel discussions, and more.

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Collaborative Coaching

Research shows that teachers get much more out of their professional development sessions when there is job-embedded coaching in the classroom. Find out how we serve your teachers in the classroom while the technology is being used.

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Planning and Consulting

Did you know the recommended technology earmarking for teacher technology training is 28%; however, the average technology budget dedicated to teacher training is a mere 5%? Consulting at the highest levels is important to make your technology initiatives successful. Don’t wait until you have problems. Call Eileen today to plan properly and insure successful technology implementation.

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What People are Saying

“This was a fabulous experience and I have already recommended the program to others!” Anonymous Cohort Participant

1:1 Classroom Teacher, Charleston County School District, SC

“[Taking part in the Digital Learning Cohort] has been a life and teaching changing experience.”

1st Year Cohort Participant

Upper Elementary and Middle School Teacher, Charleston County School District

“I enjoyed this class. The pacing was excellent as well as Eileen’s instructions. now I will be able to do a newsletter with my 4th grade students.”

Workshop Participant

4th grade teacher, Abington School District, PA

“I went in knowing nothing about [integrating outlining with writing] in MS Word. Eileen went at such an easy pace I never felt flustered. I leave feeling confident and more capable to create my own outlines.” Workshop Participant

Classroom Teacher, Abington School District, PA

Start Collaborating With Us, NOW!

If you are interested in working together, send us an inquiry, and we will contact you directly!

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How Is It Possible That AP Students Hate Learning?

by Cultivating the Learning | Jan 3, 2019

Curiosity If you don’t know me personally, you might not know: I am insatiably curious. I love learning. I always have and hope I always will. Imagine my shock and surprise when 3 of my 4 children revealed that they hate learning. I think appalled better describes...

Cultivating Collaboration in Blended Learning

by Cultivating the Learning | Dec 22, 2018

If you find collaboration in station rotation difficult or unsuccessful, then these recommendations might be helpful. Collaboration is not something students do naturally, so nurturing and cultivating it might do the trick.

Changing Climate and Culture Building-wide

by Eileen Fernandez-Parker | May 30, 2018

As a coach assisting teachers with technology integration and personalized learning, I notice patterns arising from teacher to teacher. One pattern that I have noticed is that a teacher, no matter how strong he/she is, hits a wall whether earlier or later when it...

7 Steps to Stronger Student Collaboration Activities

by Eileen Fernandez-Parker | Nov 5, 2017

If you are trying to encourage collaboration in your classroom and are having trouble, read on. You will see 7 steps that will help you build stronger student collaborators in collaboration activities. What’s All the Hubbub? Why is collaboration such a big deal all...

Virtual Coaching Helps Build Relationships

by Eileen Fernandez-Parker | May 24, 2017

As the day of an instructional coach becomes more congested, you might need to consider virtual coaching to reach all of your teachers regularly. Check out Hangouts and Classroom as your go-to tools.

The Evolution of an Authentic Activity

by Eileen Fernandez-Parker | May 3, 2017

Follow the evolution of an authentic activity – from a basic classroom mock trial to a full trial with a 12-person jury and a real judge presiding.

Human Touch In Schools

by Eileen Fernandez-Parker | Mar 28, 2017

How do we interact with students? Recently, I decided it was time to treat myself to regular yoga classes. I had been too busy with work and family for too many years and realized that I needed to do it to stay happy and healthy. While participating in the classes,...

Authentic Learning – SharkTank Meets UN Grant

by Eileen Fernandez-Parker | Dec 18, 2016

Improving the World One Grant at a Time

Making English class relevant is not always easy. Knowing how to read, write, and communicate effectively are important life skills; however, this seems to escape teenagers. English class can be made relevant through authentic learning activities and authentic assessments. If you are looking for an authentic learning activity including Sharktank, a United Nations grant, a jury, and a solution to social issues, read on.

Are You Leading by Learning?

by Eileen Fernandez-Parker | Sep 20, 2016

Many of the messages generated in education are about what students and teachers should be doing, and so LITTLE focuses on what the LEADERS should be doing. All too often, building and district leadership are the least trained in technology, personalized pathways, and new innovative practices that are spreading across more progressive classrooms. Without leadership buy-in, innovation too often goes nowhere. How can you bring your leadership on board?

Moving from Substitution to Modification in SAMR

by Eileen Fernandez-Parker | May 23, 2016

Moving from substitution on the SAMR Model to modification, this Spanish class changes a paper and pencil activity to a multimedia presentation including written and oral practice.

Grammar and Writing Differentiation

by Eileen Fernandez-Parker | May 8, 2016

Previously posted in May of 2016 on Digital Learning Cohorts - CCSD Ed Tech For differentiation in the ELA classroom, No Red Ink is a godsend. Although it has always been available via the noredink.com website, many teachers learned of it through Edmodo as an app....

Organizing Thoughts Through Voice

by Eileen Fernandez-Parker | Apr 7, 2016

Previously posted on April 7, 2016 on Digital Learning Cohorts - CCSD Ed Tech As an English teacher, I saw my job as teaching people to think well and write well. The thinking was not nearly as difficult as the writing portion, and after leaving the classroom to...

Up Next: Changing Tides – Take 1

by Eileen Fernandez-Parker | Feb 4, 2016

Previously posted on Thursday, February 4, 2016, on Digital Learning Cohorts - CCSD Ed Tech How exciting are tides and currents? Very exciting when you have an awesome teachers and Chromebooks. Students in Keith Pridgen and Francine Brewer's 5th grade science classes...