GLOBE Talk: Bridging the Achievement Gap through Differentiation (World Teacher’s Day)

One of the consequences of the disruption to instruction caused by the pandemic closure of schools is that we are now faced with a learning gap and teachers are charged with bridging that gap. Though differentiation has been around for many years, the role it can play in bridging the current learning gap can be significant. Differentiation is a mindset that allows teachers to serve both those students who struggle and those who need to be challenged. Differentiation allows the teacher to bridge the learning gap without excluding students from the main lesson or essential goals.  This talk discusses a framework teachers can use to differentiate their lessons while keeping learning outcomes and goals the same for all students. 

Featured Speakers:

Cindy (Ai-Ling) Li, MS​, Core Faculty, Bilingual Authorization Program (Mandarin), Pacific Oaks College. 

Cindy (Ai-Ling) Li received her bachelor’s degree in Child Development with a Multiple Subject Credential and added Mandarin Bilingual Authorization in 2016. She has taught in the public-school setting as a primary Mandarin dual-language teacher for 6 years. She received her master’s degree in Education with an emphasis on Reading and Literacy. She received her Reading Special Credential along with a Reading Added Authorization with the completion of her studies in the Master Program. She is currently employed at Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena as a Core Faculty member in the School of Human Development and Education, specially being a specialist in the Bilingual Authorization Program

AND

Ruben F. Cortez, Ed.D.,​ Core Faculty, School of Human Development,​ Pacific Oaks College.

Dr. Cortez is an educator with over 25 years of experience as a secondary teacher and administrator and as a national consultant before joining Pacific Oaks. Dr. Cortez has presented nationally and internationally, trained secondary and elementary school administrators on managing organizational change and coached teachers and instructional leaders as they implement instructional strategies to raise student achievement in struggling students. Dr. Cortez is Recognized for his work in ensuring school cultures that encourage continuous improvement and a desire for lifelong learning in both teachers and students, with a focus on students from diverse and historically underrepresented backgrounds. Dr. Cortez has a reputation for being a passionate leader, mentor, and motivator for teachers and students.