Looking Back at the 2014 ConnectED Superintendents Summit

Dr. Christine Johns, superintendent of Utica Community Schools (UCS), received her doctor of education in administration, planning, and social policy from Harvard University. Over the course of more than a decade as superintendent for the Sterling Heights, Michigan, district, Dr. Christine Johns has established herself as a national leader in education.

Among a number of awards and distinctions, Dr. Johns was selected to take part in the 2014 National ConnectED Superintendents Summit at the White House in Washington, DC, an invitation extended to only 100 teachers, administrators, and other educational leaders, many of whom were recognized for their achievements in the area of digital learning. The nation's top 100 education professionals in America used the summit as an opportunity to engage with the Education Department and discuss ways in which technology can further enhance the classroom experience for both teachers and students.

The summit was also attended by President Barack Obama, who spoke and took questions not only from attendees, but a national Internet audience. The President used his platform to discuss technological initiatives being undertaken by other countries, such as South Korea's goal of replacing all textbooks with digital materials, while outlining a brighter future for American students powered by new tools and technologies.

UCS Recognizes Grads with Prestigious Seal of Global Language

For more than a decade, Dr. Christine Johns has acted as superintendent of Utica Community Schools (UCS) in Sterling Heights, Michigan. Through the office of superintendent, Dr. Christine Johns has assisted in the development of new student achievement awards such as the Seal of Global Language. 

As one of the top performing school districts in Michigan, UCS helps its students works towards successful futures by providing an education that fosters innovation and strong academics. In 2016, the district sought to further bolster student achievement by introducing the Seal of Global Language award. UCS bestows this accolade upon graduating students who have displayed oral and written skills in both English and at least one other international language. 

To earn the Seal of Global Language, students must achieve a score of at least three on their language AP exams and fulfill the requirements of either an International Baccalaureate or Assessment of Performance Toward Proficiency in Language test. As such, this accolade not only recognizes academic achievement, but it also indicates that recipients are fully prepared to enter the global economy.

In its inaugural year, the Seal of Global Language recognized 150 UCS graduates. By 2017, this number increased by nearly 20 percent to include 174 recipients.

Utica Academy for International Studies Promotes Literary Proficiency

For the past 10 years, Dr. Christine Johns has served as superintendent of Utica Community Schools in Michigan. As superintendent, Dr. Christine Johns oversees several specialized programs, such as the Utica Academy for International Studies (UAIS).

The UAIS’s mission is to develop an appreciation for both personal and academic growth. In addition to exploring other nations’ cultures, the school requires advanced participation in the study of Western literary traditions.

UAIS students must complete six credits of English language arts, beginning with Honors English 9. In that course, they develop an appreciation for literary expression by reading such classics as Romeo and Juliet and Of Mice and Men.

As they develop analytical writing skills, students move on to Honors English 10, in which they study foreign authors, focusing on works such as The Kite Runner, Brave New World, and The Prophet.

Speech/Production Teams 9 and 10 facilitate speaking and listening abilities as students give formal presentations and practice informal communication. They also begin to develop research skills for their Extended Essay, which is required for graduation.

Juniors and seniors graders must take IB English HL/SL, which includes material crucial to earning the school’s International Baccalaureate. Works translated from other languages provide insight into cultures of other societies, which students learn to understand by research and oral presentations.

Digital Promise’s League of Innovative Schools

Since 2006, Dr. Christine Johns has served as superintendent of Utica Community Schools in Sterling Heights, Michigan. With Dr. Christine Johns serving as superintendent, Utica Community Schools has worked to accelerate student learning through the use of technology in the classroom. Due to her strong commitment in this area, Dr. Johns was among only 40 educators nationwide to be invited to take part in Digital Promise. 

A nonprofit authorized by Congress, Digital Promise brings together educators, researchers, and entrepreneurs to solve learning challenges through technology and innovative approaches to teaching. As part of these efforts, the organization oversees a number of programs and collaborative groups, including its League of Innovative Schools, a coalition made up of forward-thinking education leaders from across the country. 

In addition to advancing the smart use of learning technologies, League members come together to test new approaches to teaching and learning. The League, which comprises district leaders from 33 states, also uses the insights of entrepreneurs and researchers to identify educational methods and tools that can create positive change in public schools. 

Recently, Digital Promise announced the launch of the Competency-based Education (CBE) Toolkit, which was developed based on the work of the League of Innovative Schools. The toolkit offers actionable advice and shares resources to help administrators implement competency-based education in the districts they serve. 

The CBE Toolkit and accompanying videos are available to every district in the country through Digital Promise’s online portal. For more information, visit www.digitalpromise.org.

Two Utica High Schools Named among Best in Michigan by Washington Post

A graduate of Harvard University School of Education with both a master’s in education and a doctorate in educational administration, Dr. Christine Johns has served as superintendent of Utica Community Schools since 2006. As superintendent, Dr. Christine Johns leads Michigan’s second largest school district, which includes two schools recently recognized by the Washington Post.

The Washington Post has recognized Utica Academy for International Studies (UAIS) and Eisenhower High School as among the Most Academically Challenging High Schools in Michigan. Notably, UAIS received the top spot in the state for the fifth consecutive year, and its International Baccalaureate program was ranked 38th in the country. Eisenhower High School earned the 28th spot in Michigan. 

These rankings are significant, given that 2,324 schools in the nation applied for consideration and only 12 percent earned recognition. The Washington Post Challenge Index takes into account the number of students who enroll in challenging academic programs, such as courses approved by the International Baccalaureate Organization and Advanced Placement courses authorized by the College Board. The index divides the number of International Baccalaureate, AP, and Advanced International Certificate of Education tests administered at a school in a given year by the number of graduating seniors that year.

Following news of the award, Dr. Christine Johns stated, “This recognition reflects the district’s focus to increase rigorous opportunities for all students to support their post-secondary success.”