The MLC25 Awards
DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2024 at 11:59 PM
We are now accepting nominations for individuals and districts who exemplify excellence in the following categories:
Personalized Learning Classroom
Change Agent Instructional Coach
Change Management Principal
Change Management District Leader
Modern Curriculum
Digital Ecosystem
Innovation Award
Infinity Award
Educators, it's time to recognize and nominate those who inspire you and are having a positive impact on students and communities!
Honoring Those
Leading the Future of Learning
Categories & Criteria
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These awards honor teachers who have designed their classrooms to be truly learner-centered where personalization and student engagement are evident every day.
Finalists and a winner will be honored in the following grade bands:Primary (PreK-2)
Intermediate (3-5)
Middle (6-8)
High School (9-12)
Specialist (K-12)
Finalist Selection Criteria:Hallmarks of a student-centered classroom are evident within the classroom culture through a shared vision, class code, SOPs, goal setting, etc.
Students own their learning which is evidenced by their use of roadmaps, data notebooks, proficiency scales, learning plans/choice boards, etc.
Students have multiple pathways to learn through the use of learning plans/choice boards, choice of assessments, designing assessments, etc.
The teacher uses data to organize small group instruction based on student needs.
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This award celebrates the instructional coach who best embodies innovation, fosters a culture of growth among staff, and supports teachers with bringing the instructional model to life.
Finalist Selection Criteria:
Exercises and models a growth mindset
Takes risks in the pursuit of personalization
Seamlessly adapts or adjusts to challenges
Supports and empowers teachers to innovate
Facilitates sharing of emerging strategies among colleagues
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This award elevates the principal who has effectively led change efforts to bring the instructional model to life in classrooms school-wide.
Finalist Selection Criteria:
Focuses on making the instructional model come alive in classrooms
Effectively leads second-order change at the school level
Facilitates innovation and collaboration at the school level
Coaches teachers towards having a student-centered classroom
Collaborates with other school-based leaders to share best practices
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This award praises the district leader who has successfully brought about second-order change using the Convergence Framework.
Finalist Selection Criteria:
Prioritizes bringing the instructional model to life throughout the district
Leads second-order change at the district level
Facilitates innovation and collaboration at the district level
Ensures Convergence is an integral part of the day-to-day in the district
Collaborates with other district leaders to share best practices
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This award credits the district that has developed a true modern curriculum, reflecting student competencies to enhance personalized learning, 21st-century rigor, and authentic learning experiences.
Finalist Selection Criteria:
Inventory of content is analyzed and gaps are filled
Continuum of learning is created
Priority standards are determined
Learning progressions/proficiency scales are developed and used throughout the district
Unit plans bring together learning plans
Learning plans provide personalized pathways
Students demonstrate mastery
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This award goes to the district who has designed, developed, and deployed a digital ecosystem that reflects the integration of hardware, software, and content to enhance personalized learning.
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The Innovation Award is designed to recognize organizations that have created and implemented innovative programs, practices, partnerships, policies, and activities that improve the student experience.
Such as providing opportunities for varied pathways, developing new learning models, seeking to create equity for all students, and aligning to the competencies graduates need to succeed in today’s world.
The Innovation Award is a new category designed to highlight innovative programs and practices happening across our Network.
Selection Criteria:
• An innovative solution was created to answer a need or challenge in the context of personalized/competency-based learning.• Positive results have been documented from this program, practice, partnership, policy, or activity.
• Demonstrates an Increase in: opportunity, engagement, pathway, choice, or agency for students or teachers/staff.
• This program/opportunity is an exemplar Innovation and provides a best practice to share across the Network.
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The Infinity Award is designed to highlight best practices of districts in Stages 6-7 and beyond.
Infinity Examples:
• District creates systems to regularly assess and address the ongoing changes and needs of society, creating a pathway to update district vision, instructional model, and curriculum for modern learning.
• New technologies are explored and integrated into the student experience, seeking to provide the skills needed for the future of work.
• Continued evolution of the personalized learning experience for students is evident.
• Innovative offerings/approaches have been developed for teacher support, professional development, and teacher agency.
Nomination & Selection Process
If nominated, you will receive more in-depth information on what to expect and what is expected from you on November 14th.
1
Nomination
Nominations are submitted by October 25th either by self-nomination or by a colleague. Nominees will be notified via email on Oct 28th and be provided with the digital application and Google folder link.
2
Digital Acceptance
Nominees will complete & submit the digital application form by:
a) completing application questions providing insight and examples aligned to award criteria. b) providing supervisor name, title, and email for digital signature of approval. Due by Nov 8th.
3
Evidences
Nominees in each category will participate by creating and submitting compelling evidence that effectively showcase their outstanding contributions and accomplishments. A Google Drive folder will be provided to each nominee to upload supporting evidence. Due by Nov 8th.
4
Finalist Selections
Nominee applications and evidence folders will be reviewed and scored based on the award criteria.
finalists will be announced on Nov 15th. Finalists in each category will be invited to create & submit a two-minute video that highlights their work. Due by Dec 6th.
5
Winner Selection
The National Council will review applications, evidence folders, and videos for the finalists in each category. Council members will rank finalists in each category and winners will be determined.
All Finalists will be honored and winners will be announced at the Awards Gala at The MLC25, the evening of Feb 25, 2025.