Spotlight 4 Success

The Vision for 21st Century Literacy

• American Book Company • Season 1

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Danielle's passion for education is palpable as she shares compelling stories of student empowerment and the importance of building meaningful relationships within diverse communities. Her insights remind us of the limitless potential that lies within every learner, and her call to action inspires the educational technology community to continue its impactful work. For anyone committed to advancing education in the 21st century, this conversation offers a wealth of inspiration and a renewed commitment to making a difference in the lives of students. Join us for this inspiring exploration of literacy and learning in today's digital age.

Devin Pintozzi:

Welcome to Spotlight for Success by American Book Company. We are here at the Georgia Educational Technology Conference with Danielle Holmes, who is a literacy coordinator with Fulton County Schools. Welcome, Danielle.

Danielle Holmes:

Hi, it's so good to be here.

Devin Pintozzi:

Yes, what brings you to Georgia? Etc.

Danielle Holmes:

Well, I am the proud literacy coach here at Bethune Elementary School located in Atlanta. Georgia College Park and this is just a great opportunity to learn more tech tools and find ways to engage our students, especially in literacy. So excited to be here.

Devin Pintozzi:

That is wonderful, and what kind of takeaways do you have from the conference today?

Danielle Holmes:

Oh, there are so many generated AI-generated tools, tech tools to support teachers in planning, that support students in learning, that can also be data drivers or drivers for coaches such as myself. Just easy ways for us to maximize instructional time and also delivery development, professional learning. Maximize instructional time and also delivery development, professional learning. I mean the way that the 21st century is headed, I think that it's only vital that we all spend our time trying to find ways to make sure engagement and achievement is the goal.

Devin Pintozzi:

Oh, that is wonderful. And so what are some of the latest initiatives you've done associated with it? I think you mentioned you're part of a center in Fulton County you've done associated with it.

Danielle Holmes:

I think you mentioned you're part of a center in Fulton County. Yeah, so as we continue to strive and go towards literacy proficiency, our school has made an impact with other organizations. We've worked with the Skyhawks, we've had an opportunity to work with Vision to Learn. We have other schools and other centers coming by to support us, so it's a huge community of learners.

Devin Pintozzi:

That is wonderful. Can you share with us a story as a literacy coordinator that you found was really special in terms of reaching perhaps an individual student or a group of students?

Danielle Holmes:

Oh for sure. I think the best thing that we can all say is building relationships really does matter, and the purpose is for our students to walk away knowing that they can learn and, over the years working in low-income schools, to see Bethune in itself grow from a failing school to now having the opportunity to be on the literacy leaders list of Georgia.

Devin Pintozzi:

Yes.

Danielle Holmes:

I think that the science of reading, alongside passionate educators and students that come to school wanting to learn. Every day. I can't say it's just one student that we impact. I mean it's hundreds and over the years, thousands have come through our building and have walked away with success. So I think the story is rich and should be shared and, most importantly, we can learn that it doesn't matter where you're from, it doesn't matter the circumstance that you come from. All of us have the capability of being successful.

Devin Pintozzi:

That is wonderful. Well, that's what this is all about. That's why we're here. Wonderful, that's great. Do you have anything else you'd like to share, Danielle, with the group, with the educational technology community?

Danielle Holmes:

Well, I just want to say keep it up. Somebody as novice as myself walking into this space, I feel loved, I feel cared for, I feel charged to do something great with this thing called learning and teaching. So I just say, continue to do what we do and the impact is going to continue to touch lives.

Danielle Holmes:

So let's do it.

Devin Pintozzi:

All right. Thank you, Danielle. Again Danielle Holmes, with Fulton County Schools Literacy Coordinator. She is part of us here today at the Georgia Educational Technology Conference. A spotlight for success by American Book Company.