A Vision for Innovation and Equity
Linden Public Schools: Meeting District’s Strategic Goals through Student Agency, Innovation, and Differentiation with Seesaw and Apple
11 Schools
Students born in more than 30 countries
1,421
Students receive English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) services Qualify for
6,735 Students
Linden Public Schools, located in Union County, New Jersey, serves a diverse and vibrant community of over 6,700 students across 11 schools. This district reflects the rich, interconnected cultural mosaic of the region, with more than 40% of students identified as economically disadvantaged and over 35 different languages spoken within the community. These demographics pose both challenges and opportunities, which Linden’s leadership has courageously embraced through a forward-thinking approach focused on instructional innovation, equity, and personalized learning.
Under the visionary guidance of Dr. Atiya Perkins, Superintendent of Schools, the district has prioritized student agency and inclusivity as essential drivers of success. At the heart of this vision is a belief that every student, regardless of background or ability, deserves access to high-quality learning tools and meaningful opportunities to thrive. This bold initiative came to life during two groundbreaking site visits hosted at School No. 8 and School No. 10, where regional educators witnessed firsthand how the integration of Apple technology and Seesaw is reshaping the educational experience.
Strategic Goals in Action: Empowering Student Agency through Accessible, Durable, and Safe Technology
At the core of Linden Public Schools’ approach is a comprehensive set of strategic goals that emphasize academic excellence through personalized learning, innovative instructional practices, and inclusive student engagement. These objectives are brought to life through the district’s one-to-one Apple device program, which provides each student with an iPad, and the widespread adoption of Seesaw across all K-5 classrooms. This synergy between devices and the Seesaw Learning Management System (LMS) enables a multimodal approach to learning that is interactive, accessible, and student-centered.
To support durability and daily classroom use, Linden has equipped every iPad with Logitech rugged combo cases and keyboards, giving students both protection and the flexibility to type comfortably during extended learning sessions. For early learners, Logitech Crayons offer a natural, stylus-based writing experience that supports handwriting development, fine-motor skills, and creativity—making the iPad even more accessible for young children.
Behind the scenes, the district uses Jamf to help Linden manage devices and keep students safe—at school and at home. With students taking iPads home daily, Jamf’s lockdown features ensure access to only ageappropriate content, giving families peace of mind. Its Self-Service portal, nicknamed the “Linden App Store,”
Students can express themselves in ways that best suit their needs— whether through video, drawing, audio, or traditional text.
Dr. Atiya Perkins, Superintendent
lets students easily download district-approved apps, keeping learning focused and secure.
Dr. Perkins explains, “We are committed to empowering our students with tools that allow them to take ownership of their learning. Through Seesaw’s platform, teachers can create personalized learning pathways that cater to diverse learning styles.”
The integration of Apple iPads and Seesaw supports instructional differentiation by offering dynamic tools that are easy to use and highly customizable. Students can demonstrate understanding in various forms, receive immediate teacher feedback, and engage in tasks that are both rigorous and relevant to their academic journey. This holistic approach promotes deeper engagement and boosts self-efficacy among learners.
Districtwide Impact: Personalized and Differentiated Learning
Linden’s districtwide implementation of Seesaw and Apple technology is rooted in a philosophy of equity and personalization. This is evident in every classroom, where students are empowered to work at their own pace and demonstrate mastery through multiple modalities.
Lindsay Bernero, a Special Education teacher at School No. 10, shared how technology is transforming learning for her students: “Many of my students have struggled in traditional classroom settings, but Seesaw and iPads have changed that. The intuitive interface and interactive tools make it easier for them to understand and participate in lessons. They feel more confident and prouder of their progress.”
Bernero explained how Seesaw supports small group instruction and IEP goals. “I can pre-record directions so students can work independently. With modifications and accommodations in place, it limits struggles and helps students feel empowered.” Seesaw also supports collaboration among educators. “It helps with data collection for IEP meetings, report cards, and conferences. I use it for assessments—especially now with our new ELA morning routine. The students can track their progress from the beginning.”
Similarly, the tools have proven essential in supporting the district’s multilingual learners. Through Seesaw’s translation features and Apple’s Live Text capabilities, language barriers are minimized, enabling students to access core content with greater ease. Kim Marie Kefalas, Elementary Technology Teacher, describes this transformation: Our MLL students use their iPads to scan documents and translate content instantly. Then they can respond using voice recording or video. This process supports both language acquisition and academic content learning simultaneously.
Kim Marie Kefalas, Elementary Technology Teacher
Teachers also benefit from data collected through Seesaw, which enables them to tailor instruction and provide just-in-time interventions. By reviewing student submissions, educators can quickly assess understanding, offer targeted feedback, and adjust lesson plans to better meet individual student needs.
Showcasing Innovation: The Seesaw and Apple Site Visit
The site visits were more than a demonstration; they were a celebration of what’s possible when technology and pedagogy are aligned with purpose. Visiting educators observed classrooms where students independently navigated lessons, recorded reflections, and created digital portfolios that documented their learning journeys.
Kindergarten classrooms were a highlight of the visit, as students confidently used their iPads to illustrate stories, explain math problems, and capture images of their projects. One visiting administrator remarked, “The independence and enthusiasm among these young learners is astounding. They’re not just using technology—they’re owning their learning process.”
The visit underscored the district’s emphasis on student voice and choice. By allowing students to select the method of demonstrating understanding, Linden encourages creativity, critical thinking, and a sense of agency that extends beyond the classroom.
Creating Stronger Home-School Connections
Family engagement is another pillar of the district’s vision. “We have 35 different languages in our district. We know how important it is for families to be engaged—it’s not extra, it’s the heart of everything we do,” said Dr. Perkins. “We’ve built environments where families can see learning in real time. Parents no longer have to wait for report cards or parent-teacher conferences to know how their child is doing. They are actively involved, which strengthens our school communities.”
Seesaw
has fundamentally changed how families engage with their children’s education.
Dr. Atiya Perkins, Superintendent
Parents can view assignments, listen to audio reflections, and watch videos created by their children—all from their personal devices. They are no longer asking, ‘What did you do today?’ Students can share digital portfolios and projects, and that drives meaningful conversations at home.
Kim Kefalas shared examples of creative uses of Seesaw to foster family engagement. “During our Back to School Night, we took pictures of our students with their hands out in front of them and then we attached a QR code in the middle of their hand which was linked to a video message to their families created on Seesaw. Capturing these young children on video is priceless because their child will only be that age one time and
they will always have that special message.”
These efforts have redefined family engagement, making it more interactive, meaningful, and reflective of students’ day-to-day learning experiences.
