Innovative ideas are a staple of Springdale Public Schools. For instance, ninth grade English and Yearbook teacher Colton Lindsey, is using Youtube to create videos to connect with his students at Central Junior High School as an Alternative Method of Instruction.
“As a way to keep students motivated during AMI days, I have started a Youtube channel for my 9th-grade English students, but it is also a resource for other students and teachers anywhere in the world,” Lindsey said.
In Lindsey’s first video, he reads a passage from a popular book, informs about his current reading, and gives book recommendations for his students. He shares these videos through the channel “Mr. Lindsey’s Lit Corner.”
“This is an opportunity to have the sense of community we’ve developed in our classroom even when we are outside of the class,” Lindsey said. “This is my way of being able to stay in contact with the students and hopefully encourage them to do some reading out of school.”
In future videos, Lindsey plans on adding funny skits featuring teachers and principals from Central for entertainment as well as education for his students.
Lindsey is a first-year teacher in the public school system. Prior to joining the Central team, he was teaching at the collegiate level.
“The student-teacher relationships are a lot more personal here than at the collegiate level,” Lindsey said. “There are a lot of ways to get involved and be a part of a student's life. That is something I enjoy.”
When Lindsey is not filming for the Youtube channel, he is posting assignments to Google Classroom, answering student emails, and using Zoom Conferencing to mimic face-to-face instruction.
“I have never seen anything similar to AMI days before in my educational career,” Lindsey said. “We are still working, but I am trying to embrace technology in a way I never had before in a classroom. The Youtube channel was the one thing getting them talking. I now have more options on how to keep everyone focused and on task.”
Lindsey and the other amazing district teachers are a huge reason Springdale Public Schools are #THEChoice.