Show Notes: Partnerships that Transform

Hi everyone, it’s Pat! Thanks for tuning in to We Do This Every Day.

At the World of Learning Institute, I’ve learned that partnerships are so much more than contracts. They’re relationships built on trust, and they create real opportunities for kids. When schools face teacher shortages or want to expand access to world languages, collaboration is often the spark that changes everything.

In this episode, I sat down with Jeannie McCarthy and Kevin Ballisty from Chester County IU’s Brandywine Virtual Academy, along with the World of Learning’s very own Olivia Grugan, to talk about what happens when organizations align their missions.

Here’s what we dug into:

* 🌍 Expanding access: Together, we launched the Passport to World Languages experience—giving middle and high schoolers a no-pressure chance to “try on” languages like Mandarin, ASL, and Arabic. It reduced anxiety and gave students something to look forward to.

* 🔑 Vision, not just gaps: Instead of just filling empty slots, we designed a pathway that could one day help students graduate with the Seal of Biliteracy. That’s intentional, long-term planning.

* 🤝 Shared values: Jeannie put it best: we’re student-centered, teacher-created, and focused on balancing live and asynchronous instruction. That alignment has already led to expanded offerings across urban, suburban, and rural schools.

* 💡 Trust and investment: Partnerships only work when both sides lean in. We’ve even connected our student systems to make access seamless, proof that we’re in this for the long haul.

* 🎓 Why it matters: Kids across Pennsylvania now have access to languages that districts couldn’t offer alone. They have real instruction, with real engagement. And they’re not just signing up - they’re excited and confident.

I came away from this conversation so hopeful. When IUs work together, and with districts, students win. They connect with great teachers, they discover new cultures, and they get to imagine futures they didn’t even know were possible.

👉 Have you seen partnerships like this in your school or district? I’d love to hear your story. Drop me a note, and let’s keep the conversation going.

A real life example of a student who maximized their language learning!

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