Digital Learning Specialists, schools recognized for promoting digital citizenship

All eight Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District 191 elementary schools and elementary digital learning specialists recently received recognition from Common Sense Education, a national non-profit organization that promotes digital citizenship.

All eight elementary schools were recognized as Common Sense Schools. To receive this designation, elementary staff at each school participated in professional development about digital literacy, taught three digital citizenship lessons across three grade levels, and shared three or more resources with families. Across the district, all students in kindergarten through fifth grade engaged in multiple digital citizenship lessons and participated in ongoing conversations about digital citizenship throughout the 2023-24 school year.

“We know that technology already impacts our students’ daily lives and it will continue to impact them as they progress through their K-12 education and beyond. Our students, and all tech users no matter the age, need to know how to use technology effectively, safely and responsibly,” digital learning specialist and elementary technology integrationist Katie Salmela said.

Digital learning specialists Bjorn Anderson, Julie Knudsen, Shonita Harper, Katie Grundstrom, Joe Risteau, Lisa Christen, Jon Abrahamson and Salmela all received individual Common Sense Educator honors. To receive this recognition, teachers took a Common Sense Media course, taught a digital citizenship lesson, and shared resources with families. 

Salmela helped guide the implementation of the digital citizenship curriculum. She said focusing on digital citizenship and receiving these recognitions was one of this year’s goals for the DLS team.

“Our digital learning curriculum has always included digital citizenship instruction, but earning Common Sense recognition has helped our team grow professionally and improved family engagement around digital citizenship,” Salmela said. “Our work around digital citizenship isn’t done; I don’t think it ever will be as the need for digital citizenship instruction is ongoing and ever-changing. We plan to re-apply for recognition again next year and are looking forward to continually refining and improving our efforts.”

To learn more about Common Sense Education, go to commonsense.org.