Innovation in our School

Header image - Empowering Student Voices

At Marshall Elementary, technology empowers students to think critically, create boldly, lead confidently, and make a meaningful impact. Click here and watch below to learn more about how MES empowers student Voices with technology.

Empowering Student Voices

Leadership

At Marshall Elementary School, students lead authentic learning experiences by mentoring peers, facilitating professional learning, and taking ownership within the school community.

These experiences demonstrate how Marshall Elementary intentionally develops student leadership through authentic opportunities to mentor peers, facilitate learning, and communicate with both students and adults. By positioning students as leaders within the school community, learning becomes more collaborative, meaningful, and student-driven.

The Impact

Increased student confidence and ownership
Expanded opportunities for authentic communication and leadership
Students support learning for peers, staff, and the broader school community

Innovation

Innovation at MES

At Marshall Elementary, innovation is rooted in authentic learning experiences that encourage students to think critically, create purposefully, and communicate their understanding in meaningful ways. Technology is used to amplify student voice, support creativity, and provide opportunities for collaboration, exploration, and real world problem solving.

The Impact

Increased student engagement and ownership of learning
Students communicate understanding through creative and multimedia experiences
Learning experiences promote problem solving, collaboration, and student voice
Technology supports authentic creation rather than passive consumption

Two students sitting at a desk running an experiment. — Students design, create, and experience learning in a variety of ways. Technology helps bring real-world application right into the classroom.

Collaboration

At Marshall Elementary, collaboration is embedded throughout the learning environment. Students work together to solve problems, share ideas, support one another, and communicate their thinking through authentic learning experiences. Collaboration extends beyond the classroom through cross grade partnerships, professional learning, and opportunities for students and staff to learn alongside one another.

The Impact

Increased student communication and teamwork
Students learn from peers through shared experiences and discussion
Collaboration promotes confidence, leadership, and problem solving
Teachers and students engage in learning as a connected community

Community

At Marshall Elementary, learning extends beyond the classroom through meaningful connections with families, staff, and the broader school community. Students engage in authentic learning experiences that connect the classroom to the broader school community. Through student-led events, family engagement opportunities, and collaborative experiences, students develop confidence, communication skills, and a stronger sense of ownership in their learning. These opportunities help students recognize the impact their voice and leadership can have beyond the classroom.

The Impact

Students share learning with authentic audiences
Family and community engagement strengthen student confidence and communication
Students develop leadership through meaningful real world experiences
Learning experiences create stronger connections across the school community

Growth

At Marshall Elementary, students reflect on their learning, build confidence through authentic experiences, and develop ownership as learners, creators, collaborators, and leaders. Growth is supported through meaningful opportunities for reflection, creativity, collaboration, and student voice. Students are encouraged to take ownership of their learning by revising, problem solving, communicating their thinking, and sharing their ideas with authentic audiences. These experiences help students build confidence, resilience, and a deeper understanding of themselves as learners.

Pictures of students and parents giving reflections of their learning.

The Impact

Increased student confidence and ownership of learning
Students reflect on progress and communicate their thinking
Authentic learning experiences support perseverance and growth
Student voice strengthens engagement and self reflection

Looking Ahead

Marshall Elementary continues to build a future-focused learning environment where students and staff grow together through innovation, collaboration, and authentic learning experiences.

As opportunities expand through student leadership initiatives such as iPals, district-wide professional learning, and the upcoming transition to MacBooks for staff, MES remains committed to empowering students and educators through meaningful and sustainable learning experiences. These efforts support a shared vision for creativity, collaboration, and innovation across both our school and the North Allegheny School District.

The Impact

Student leadership opportunities continue to grow through programs such as iPals
Ongoing professional learning strengthens staff confidence and instructional innovation
1:1 staff MacBooks expand opportunities for creativity, collaboration, and teaching and learning
District-wide initiatives support a shared vision for future-ready learning environments
MES continues to serve as a model for innovation, collaboration, and student-centered learning

Inforgraphic about North Allegheny School District's future ready vision. — The goals of the North Allegheny School District support future ready learning.

MES By the Numbers

What do our students and staff have to say?

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