HMH Supports K-12 School Districts Nationwide as They Prepare for Remote and Hybrid Teaching and Learning This Fall

Rhea-AI Summary

On August 10, 2020, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMHC) announced new professional learning opportunities for educators to help navigate challenges due to COVID-19. The launch follows an EdWeek survey highlighting the need for K-12 professional development. HMH will offer live online courses focusing on effective remote learning strategies and addressing the needs of students in unpredictable environments. The initiative aims to boost teacher confidence and skills as schools prepare for a mix of remote and hybrid teaching models. Partnerships, like one with Clayton County, Georgia, emphasize the program's impact on teacher readiness.

Positive

• Launch of new professional learning opportunities for educators.
• Focus on addressing student learning gaps and social-emotional needs.
• Partnership with Clayton County to train nearly 500 teachers demonstrates effective collaboration and impact.

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• None.

BOSTON, Aug. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- As districts grapple with decisions on what the fall will look like for teachers and students amid the surging COVID-19 pandemic, Learning Company Houghton Mifflin Harcourt today announced new professional learning opportunities for educators nationwide. This follows the recent launch of Teacher's Corner™, a new online space for continuous professional learning through HMH's digital teaching and learning platform, Ed: Your Friend in Learning and another solution within HMH's suite of professional learning offerings.

According to an EdWeek Market Brief survey of K-12 educators, professional development is a critical need for educators right now—with building comfort with technology, learning how to teach with a combination of digital and print, and cultivating students' social-emotional learning as they cope with the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, as the top cited priorities.

HMH's all-new live online professional learning will help districts navigate the unique challenges facing them this back-to-school season, including addressing student learning gaps, training for remote teaching, supporting social-emotional needs and improving equity and access. Professional learning consultants, who are teachers themselves, provide a digital 'shoulder to shoulder' experience partnering with educators via live online courses and coaching through HMH's award-winning Coaching Studio™ platform, with a focus on each district's needs and goals.

"At HMH, we know that teaching in unpredictable learning environments requires a different set of skills and experience," says Amy Dunkin, General Manger and EVP of Professional Services at HMH. "We also know the resilience of teachers, and we've created these virtual professional learning opportunities to support their skill-building so they can feel equipped to excel in a remote and disconnected world, and their confidence in meeting the academic and social-emotional needs of their students."

HMH's live online courses provide a dual approach to support strategic planning and implementation:

• Planning for Effective Remote Learning teaches new strategies for instruction that enables synchronous, asynchronous, and unplugged opportunities will ensure all students have high levels of learning.
• Navigating Unpredictable Learning Environments explores methods and practices to develop a plan that addresses the effects of unpredictable learning environments while meeting the needs of the whole child.

The offering includes ongoing live support for teachers that allows for collaborating, sharing, and applying new practices with flexible scheduling. The format provides the potential for schools to partner on a year-long engagement of tailored sessions with highly certified coaches to address student learning gaps, social-emotional challenges, and impact access and equity. Courses can also be tailored to connect directly with the HMH solutions the district is using.

Clayton County, Georgia, is partnering with HMH to prepare for the back-to-school season with district-wide training and coaching, training almost 500 teachers and teacher leaders during its summer institute. And the results have proven impactful, with teachers feeling more prepared to meet the challenges of the new school year and the combination of teaching and learning methods it will inevitably demand. The training focused on the following: ensuring clarity on the different virtual learning modalities and techniques for purposeful planning; equipping teachers with methods for ensuring rigor, relevance, and relationship-building in a virtual environment; and empowering students with the habits of mind and wellness to excel. This partnership grew out of HMH's many years of service and collaboration with the Clayton County school district across supplemental and intervention solutions and professional learning services.

"In an effort to build capacity for virtual learning to ensure continuity of high-quality instruction, we sought HMH's expert guidance, support, and practical, research-based solutions," says Dr. Ebony Lee, Assistant Superintendent at Clayton County Public Schools. "Through this partnership, we've trained hundreds of our teachers who now have greater confidence and knowledge to support their students and families– from teaching in a remote or hybrid environment, to handling the dramatically increased need to support kids from a social emotional perspective."

To learn more about how to partner with HMH for district-wide training and coaching as educators get ready for the fall, visit hmhco.com.

About Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (NASDAQ: HMHC) is a learning company committed to delivering connected solutions that engage learners, empower educators and improve student outcomes. As a leading provider of K–12 core curriculum, supplemental and intervention solutions and professional learning services, HMH partners with educators and school districts to uncover solutions that unlock students' potential and extend teachers' capabilities. HMH serves more than 50 million students and 3 million educators in 150 countries, while its award-winning children's books, novels, non-fiction, and reference titles are enjoyed by readers throughout the world. For more information, visit www.hmhco.com.

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Contact
Katie Marshall
Communications Manager
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
617-351-5057
katie.marshall@hmhco.com

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SOURCE Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

FAQ

What did Houghton Mifflin Harcourt announce on August 10, 2020?

HMH announced new professional learning opportunities for educators to address challenges arising from COVID-19.

What is the focus of HMH's new professional learning programs?

The programs focus on effective remote learning strategies and supporting the social-emotional needs of students.

How is HMH supporting teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic?

HMH is providing live online courses and coaching to help teachers navigate remote and hybrid teaching environments.

What partnership did HMH form to assist schools in preparation for the new school year?

HMH partnered with Clayton County, Georgia, to provide district-wide training and coaching for nearly 500 teachers.

How many students and educators does Houghton Mifflin Harcourt serve?

HMH serves over 50 million students and 3 million educators in 150 countries.