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Jin-Soo Huh is the Personalized Learning Manager at Alpha Public Schools. He is a D.C. Region ’09 alum and he taught middle and high school math in Prince George’s County, New Orleans and Chicago. He served as a teacher leader in implementing one of the nation’s first 1:1 iPad programs where he got exposed to the world of ed tech and supported the operations and teacher training with an influx of 900+ iPads. In his previous role as Director of Technology at KIPP Chicago Schools and in his current role at Alpha, he refines personalized learning models and supports educators in implementing the models. He is a member of the 4.0 Schools Community and led a winning team at Startup Weekend Education. He also advised schools implementing personalized learning as a coach for the Chicago Public Education Fund and LEAP Innovation. He is a columnist to Edsurge and a member of Imagine K-12’s Educator Advisory Board.
Tweet: Why does relationships matter more in personalized learning environments? Find out from @JinSooDHuh on the i am ME. Podcast! http://ctt.ec/V43jI+
SHOW NOTES
GETTING TO KNOW JIN-SOO
Looking back at your career, what is one thing that a parent, student or peer has said makes you unique as a teacher?
I have a lot of energy and making that energy work in the classroom.
When and why did you decide to become a leader?
When I started working in a team where I can see the change when working well with others.
What about teaching gives you the greatest fulfillment?
I really enjoy working with students on a daily basis. The moment when a student has that light bulb moment gives me the greatest fulfillment.
SIMPLE CONNECTIONS
Please share with us a story of a time when you got to know a student beyond their academic performance where you think you made a significant impact in their life.
One of my students struggled with math, but he was very persistant by staying after school and getting tutored in math. He ended up raising his ACT four points.
PERSONALIZED LEARNING JOURNEY
What is it about the personalized learning process you believe will have the greatest impact on education as we know it today?
Every student is learning every day.
OVERCOMING OBSTACLES
Can you tell us a story of a time that you persevered through a then-challenging situation which now serves as a great life lesson?
In my past school, we were chosen to received 900 iPads for the classrooms. The apps stopped working because we needed iOS 5 to upgrade each app. We would spend so many hours updating technology. Sometimes it is easy to forget how much hard work goes into it.
SECRETS TO SUCCESS
If you’ve transitioned from a traditional command and control classroom to a personalized learning classroom, what about that journey was the most difficult?
Things may not work the first few times, but you need to roll with the punches and be flexible. The teachers that are successful in this transition are the teachers who are innovative. Lastly, they have strong class management and establish relationships with each student.
Imagine you are standing in front of a room full of educators – just like you when you started your personalized learning journey. They too have fears, worries and doubts as they struggle to find their footing. What are one to two key things they should focus on to ensure success?
The question “why” is so important. Make sure you know why you are doing something and ask yourself am I really going to help students.
Would you please share with our audience your “i am ME.” statements?
i am connected. i am faking it until i make it.