In this episode of Swimming Upstream, host Tom Luna interviews Sydnee Dickson, the State Superintendent of Utah, a leader steering education toward a future as bright as the minds she's nurturing. From humble beginnings in a two-room schoolhouse to modern classrooms, Sydnee shares how personalization is key to educational growth.

We'll navigate through the unique challenges faced by rural education, such as limited resources, and discuss how Utah's proactive digital strides, with the support of a robust legislative framework, fortified the state when the unprecedented occurred – making a swift pivot into remote learning during the COVID-19 school closures.

It's about developing the full picture – where the love for ice cream in Utah is as much a part of the state's identity as its pioneering educational initiatives. Utah’s focus on digital teaching and integrating durable skills like critical thinking is preparing students to be agile and adaptable for lifelong learning. With insights on technology in classrooms and the ongoing push for enhancing early literacy, we're ready to scoop up some knowledge and sprinkle it with experiences.

Key Moments

00:00 Rural Utah schools face resource and personnel challenges.

06:25 Developed master plan for digital teaching in Utah.

09:13 Scale up software packages to support education.

11:13 Tribal leaders improve connectivity in rural areas.

15:15 Kids are glued to social media and need guidance.

20:29 Utah develops a portrait of a successful graduate.

22:37 Promoting care, integration, and durable skills in education.

24:50 Engage students, focus on competencies, and individualized learning.

28:29 Challenges in education and Utah's impact.

Connect with Sydnee Dickson

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sydnee-dickson-506b9b11/

Website: https://schools.utah.gov/

Mentioned in this episode:

Literacy to Leadership: Sydnee Dickson's Vision for Utah's Schools

In this episode of "Swimming Upstream," host Tom Luna interviews Sydnee Dickson, the State Superintendent of Utah, a leader steering education toward a future as bright as the minds she's nurturing. From humble beginnings in a two-room schoolhouse to modern classrooms, Sydnee shares how personalization is key to educational growth. We'll navigate through the unique challenges faced by rural education, such as limited resources, and discuss how Utah's proactive digital strides, with the support of a robust legislative framework, fortified the state when the unprecedented occurred – making a swift pivot into remote learning during the COVID-19 school closures. It's about developing the full picture – where the love for ice cream in Utah is as much a part of the state's identity as its pioneering educational initiatives. Utah’s focus on digital teaching and integrating durable skills like critical thinking is preparing students to be agile and adaptable for lifelong learning. With insights on technology in classrooms and the ongoing push for enhancing early literacy, we're ready to scoop up some knowledge and sprinkle it with experiences. Key Moments 00:00 Rural Utah schools face resource and personnel challenges. 06:25 Developed master plan for digital teaching in Utah. 09:13 Scale up software packages to support education. 11:13 Tribal leaders improve connectivity in rural areas. 15:15 Kids are glued to social media and need guidance. 20:29 Utah develops a portrait of a successful graduate. 22:37 Promoting care, integration, and durable skills in education. 24:50 Engage students, focus on competencies, and individualized learning. 28:29 Challenges in education and Utah's impact. Connect with Sydnee Dickson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sydnee-dickson-506b9b11/ Website: https://schools.utah.gov/