'Studio' personalized learning classes unveiled at Burrell's Huston Middle School

New classes at Burrell School District’s Charles A. Huston Middle School aim to give students more voice, choice and real-world experiences, teachers say.

Those classes, for seventh and eighth grade students, range from audio and music production to a DIY home improvement class and baking and hospitality.

Instead of traditional arts and humanities elective courses, students will explore different “studios” in five career pathways: arts and communications; business finance and information technology; engineering and industrial technology; human services; and science and health.

“Our goal is to move away from antiquated one-size-fits-all instruction toward a model where teachers act as personalized learning guides and industry-connected facilitators, and students gain real-world skills, explore passions and build soft skills that bridge school and workforce needs,” said Courtney Barbiaux, personalized learning coach and Innovation Hub facilitator.

Burrell was awarded a $25,000 Remake Learning grant to support those efforts.

Barbiaux said the grant will allow the district to buy materials and tools to turn existing classrooms and spaces into “hubs” for project-based learning.

That includes reworking physical education classes to give students more choice with personal fitness and updating large group spaces and a makerspace lab into an Innovation Hub where students can work on individual projects, Barbiaux said.

Teachers also are working to provide students with opportunities to meet professionals from careers they are interested in, Barbiaux said.

For example, in a Shark Tank and 3D printing course, students will pitch their ideas to a panel of professionals, giving the students the chance to explore different careers while also building their presentation and communication skills.

“By reimagining spaces and shifting teachers into the role of personalized guides, we’re ensuring every student has equitable access to future-ready, hands-on learning,” Barbiaux said.