Enhance Technology Skills to Support All Learners

Ysleta's Story

Ysleta Independent School District (El Paso, Texas)

Ysleta Independent School District (ISD) serves approximately 41,000 students in El Paso, Texas. Ysleta ISD is a 1:1 PK–12 district. The district began the process of moving to a 1:1 model prior to the COVID-19 school building closures, but the timeline was accelerated to ensure that all students in the district had access to a device. The district’s vision for technology implementation was driven by the “power and possibilities” enabled by a 1:1 model to provide support for all students and meet their learning needs. The district began its “Engage Me” initiative approximately 6 years ago in Grades 3–5, gradually expanding it outward into higher and lower grade levels. Using personalized professional development options (including micro-credentials), just-in-time coaching, and in-building support, Ysleta ISD provides multiple options to support teachers in growing their technology skills.

Ysleta ISD uses instructional coaches, instructional technology specialists, and library media specialists on every campus to provide in-building coaching support. They implemented a train-the-trainer model to gradually build up capacity on a variety of technology tools. Several years ago, the district began working on implementing a blended learning model. Individual schools applied to become a blended learning pilot campus to receive training and implementation support. Although initial implementation focused on only one grade level, teachers were very interested in the positive changes, so an entire school shifted to a blended learning model by the end of the year. The district team shared that a critical element of building teacher capacity has been to respect teachers and allow them to take ownership of their technology learning. Rather than forcing change on teachers, the district endeavored to model how technology tools can work, show the connections to instruction, and let teachers “buy in” as it applies to their needs and goals. In this way, the district created personalized professional learning opportunities that encouraged educators to grow and learn at their own pace and in ways that best meet their needs in their classrooms.