Innovative ‘learner profiles’ give Burrell students a jump on success

Burrell High School profiles students — but not in the way you might think.

All students take a survey at the beginning of the year that asks what motivates them, how they learn best, their strengths, what supports could help improve their learning and possible future career pathways.

That’s coupled with their state test scores and then is compiled as a document to share with students, teachers and their families, said Dan Pounds, personalized learning coach at the high school.

“Ultimately, what I want to see this being is a one-stop shop for data,” he said.

The learner profiles are “23 years of work finally coming together,” said Pounds, 45, of Springdale.

Pounds spent 19 years as a French and social studies teacher before morphing into the new personalized learning coach role four years ago. He created the “learner profiles” platform.

“Our learner profiles identify what motivates students, how they learn best, their strengths, what supports could help improve their learning and the career pathways that may be a good fit based on that information,” said Autumn Turk, Burrell’s director of curriculum and development. “As a result, students develop self-awareness and ownership by engaging in relevant learning and experience enhanced student well-being by developing the durable skills needed for life as an adult through real-world career experiences in our community.”

The idea originated when the school was operating on a “hybrid” model in response to the covid-19 pandemic, Pounds said, adding it was a difficult year for teachers and students. Administrators approached him for a program where students who were struggling would meet at Puckety Church for credit recovery, personalized learning and career readiness.

“We took turns going over there and having these personalized learning experiences for students that were really struggling. It was the most rewarding experience I’ve ever had,” Pounds said.

Nine students were involved. They were able to walk the graduation stage that spring with educational and real-world skills they otherwise would not have gotten.

“It was an ‘aha’ moment — we need to be offering this more,” Pounds said.

The district established the personalized learning coach positions with federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funding. The board covered Pounds’ position this year.

Once the information from a student’s learner profile is compiled, Pounds shares it with teachers so they can use that information to help kids learn and tailor their teaching to each student’s needs.

“We also use this information to connect our students to local industry partners, future-focused learning experiences and apprenticeships,” Turk said. “Some examples of this are the NWCTC Aspiring Educators program, Catalyst Connections Industrial Manufacturing Technician Pre-Apprenticeship Program, the PAES Lab (Practical Assessment of Employability Skills), PNC Partner Up, Personalized Learning Plans and our Re-Imagine High School Senior Seminar.”

A normal day for Pounds includes working with life skills students each morning for a career training program. The PAES Lab mocks a work experience and gives students a closer look at careers in business, marketing, computer technology and processing or production. It tracks what students are able to do and generates a file that they can present to a prospective employer.

In the mid-morning, Pounds co-teaches a Senior Seminar course where there is a lot of freedom with what’s taught, he said. Lessons have ranged from building a work resume, to poetry, to learning about the Electoral College.

That’s intentional, Pounds said. It aims for students to learn information that they think is relevant or engaging.

“This is one way to make their learning come alive,” he said.

In the afternoon, Pounds works with students in the personalized learning program, which tailors education to students’ needs such as credit recovery, goal setting or career readiness.

“We meet students where they are and get them to where they want to be, or where they need to be, to get them to their next phase of life,” he said.

Students who work with Pounds range from those struggling to pass courses to gifted students who might need more enrichment.

Pounds has no say in the students he works with — but he likes it that way. Administration and school counselors determine which students need a personalized learning coach.

He currently works with about 10 students in the program.

Since its inception, Pounds has seen kids “turn on to learning.” He recalled a student who previously was unable to read at a high school level and now sends him pictures of books she has read or looks forward to reading.

“I see kids more open and excited about their future,” he said.

Pounds doesn’t believe any other local school district has “learner profiles” or the personalized learning coach model like Burrell does.

The learner profiles also landed Burrell international recognition from HundrED, a Finland-based education organization spotlighting well-being in schools.

For Pounds, it has been a learning experience from his time in a traditional classroom to the more tailored approach in assisting students. He said it’s one piece of a bigger puzzle of Burrell initiatives to help students.

“I want to continue its growth,” he said.