FETC Award Video
District Administration (DA) Magazine featured Poway Unified School District as a “2020 District of Distinction” in its February 2020 issue. DA honors ten school districts each year in this nationwide program.
PUSD was selected in the category of educational technology for its Districtwide Voyager Program. Launched in the 2017-2018 school year, the Program combines rigorous in-class professional development training for teachers, with revolutionary techniques for students to learn and engage with technology.
“We developed a system of support for teachers to learn how to integrate and use the latest technology in the classroom. Ed tech allows our students to connect with the world and engage with ideas that help them ask more organic questions,” Superintendent Marian Kim Phelps said.
The Voyager Program focuses on blended learning practices in the classroom to increase engagement and interest. Teachers who participate in Voyager learn best Ed Tech practices from District technology and innovation coaches, and begin to integrate these concepts into their lessons. This way, students can decide how and what they learn.
“We eliminated the top-down model where District leaders tell teachers what to do, so educators are encouraged to share ideas that they’re excited about,” Superintendent Phelps said. “Teachers feel more supported this way, and when you feel supported, you’re more inclined to try an untested, innovative approach.” To read more about PUSD’s Voyager Program go
here.
At the 2021 Future of Educational Technology Conference, Poway Unified was recognized as the District of Distinction winner in the Professional Development category for its excellence in innovation in K-12 education.