Hi Guest,

An end to another year is upon us. In some ways, this year has flown by with a blink of an eye; yet in other ways, it seemed to have crawled by. Our team has gone through so much together: losing a child, getting married (x2), losing a parent, getting engaged, starting work on a new product, breaking records for the most student impact we have ever had, getting promotions, winning awards we never thought possible, and finally getting to hug friends and family and letting them know how much they mean to us. We know you have been through a lot, too.

Let this Holiday Season provide rest, rejuvenation, peace, humility, and gratitude for us all. The MAD-learn offices will be closed from December 23, 2021, to January 2, 2022, in celebration of the holidays and to take a much-needed break at the end of the year. We can’t wait to see you again in 2022 and create more magic together.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS from our family, to yours!

Alefiya Master

Founder & CEO

What’s hAPPening

Feeling ‘Supe-r’!

MAD-learn was selected by a panel of esteemed superintendent judges from across the nation to be the Winner of the inaugural 2021 Supes’ Choice Awards in the STEM/STEAM Instructional Solution category! These awards are held by the Institute for Education Innovation (IEI), an organization that serves as the bridge between district leaders and organizations to support the greatest challenges in K-12 education.

MAD-learn was assessed based on commitment to student outcomes, innovation, and ingenuity, client support, interactivity, and engagement. The Supes’ Choice Awards are the only industry awards judged exclusively by school district superintendents.

Recipients of the Supes’ Choice Award were recognized at a hybrid gala held on December 9, 2021, where the judges gathered in New York City and the event was live-streamed for the greater community. The full list of winners and finalists can be found here.

Lake Local Students Enter the Congressional App Challenge

Cristina Jones at Lake Local School District in Ohio continues to provide authentic opportunities for her students to be recognized for their outstanding efforts. The success they have had in using MAD-learn has resulted in two entries in the Congressional App Challenge. Be sure to check out the video “pitches” for Roots Through Rhythm and Plants4U. Congratulations to the students and thanks to Lake Local for its continued partnership!

Ready to Brave Winter Travel

It has been months since we have been able to connect face-to-face with our MAD-partners throughout the country. We are excited to report that road trips are back in force (with all safety protocols), even through the winter!

December finds both Alefiya and Gregg on Long Island to meet with our partners at Teq to discuss strategies related to professional development, MAD-learn’s alignment with New York Computer Education Standards, and their “iBlocks” PBLs.

January trips offer to some warmer climates. Visits to seven Atlanta area MAD-schools, as well as a live PD session for CTAE teachers at Cobb County Schools will keep Gregg busy during the first week of 2022. Then it’s off to Miami for sessions with new MAD-teachers there. Hopefully, Gregg won’t get “lost” on the beaches of southern Florida! It will be a busy few months, but we are glad to be back on the road again!

MAD-spotlight!

MAD-teacher of the Month

Jamie Nutter is the Administrator of CESA 3, which serves the unique needs of schools and children in Southwestern Wisconsin. The state agency creates opportunities for schools, regardless of size, to work together to share staff and equipment, save money, and extend educational opportunities to all children. CESA 3 provides these services to over 30 schools without levying taxes or receiving state aid.

Jamie is one of those administrators with a vision that is driven by a strong set of unique core beliefs. On the homepage of the CESA 3 website, Jamie describes the importance of “Understanding Your ‘Why’”. He writes, “This theme is simple; yet, it is often easier said than done. As an organization, the depth of our why will determine our level of excellence. Each of us must align our own whys with the why of our organizations. The more intrinsic, the higher the level.”

In his mind, MAD-learn was a perfect fit for what he envisions for ALL students, and a successful pilot program was launched with four schools. Jamie’s support and enthusiasm for MAD-learn match that of all the opportunities he brings to teachers in his agency’s purview, and we are proud to work with him. We also always appreciate the cheese curds Jamie (at left) is always sure to provide!

MAD-family Continues to Grow

We want to thank schools that have either renewed their partnerships with MAD-learn or are just joining our MAD-family. We are so happy to know we will be continuing our work to help students at:

Comsewogue School District (NY)
The Lovett School (GA)
North Merrick Union Free School District (NY)
Rising Starr Middle (GA)

Don’t leave without…

…sharing our Holiday #appsthatmatter Grant Opportunity!

This grant opportunity is for teachers (Grades 3-10), who wish to empower their students to brainstorm ideas, plan, design, build, test and launch their very own apps either by collaborating in teams or working on individual projects. It is a great opportunity to create meaningful STEM projects through app development.

Click here to apply for this special Holiday #appsthatmatter Grant, sponsored by MAD-learn. If selected, grant winners will receive a classroom set of MAD-learn licenses along with virtual PD for the Spring 2022 semester (a $1,475 value).

Deadline: December 31, 2021, at 11 pm Eastern

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MAD-news for December: Holiday Grant Opportunity from MAD-learn