A Vision for Innovation and Equity (Linden Public Schools)

A Vision for Innovation and Equity Linden Public Schools: Meeting District’s Strategic Goals through Student Agency, Innovation, and Differentiation with Seesaw and Apple

District Snapshot

1,421 Students receive

11

Schools

Students born in more than

30 countries

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) services

40% Qualify for Title Funding

21%

The Seesaw Lighthouse District Program recognizes districts for outstanding implementation, feedback, and usage of Seesaw.

6,735

Students

35+ Languages spoken in their homes

Students receive special education services

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,”

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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:

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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.”

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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

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Seesaw makes it very easy for students to connect with the special people in their lives.

Kim Marie Kefalas, Elementary Technology Teacher

reflective of students’ day-to-day learning experiences.

Leadership with a Vision: Aligning Instructional Strategy Linden’s leadership team has played a crucial role in facilitating this transformation by investing in professional development, infrastructure, and systems that support sustainable technology integration. Joseph Scaldino, Supervisor of Instructional Technology and Career Technical Education, recalls the district’s rapid pivot during the pandemic. They had already begun using Seesaw, but COVID-19 pushed them to expand it overnight.

Fortunately, their existing infrastructure allowed them to scale up quickly and efficiently.

Making vision a reality, however, requires more than good intentions. It demands a scalable, accessible platform that must be implemented with fidelity across diverse classrooms, while also being intuitive for both educators and students.

“One of the most important concepts we learned when aligning strategy to classroom practice is that any software platform we implement has to be easy to adapt—for both teachers and students. That’s where Seesaw really stood out. The rollout was smoother than most platforms—it didn’t require a long learning curve,” Joseph Scaldino, Supervisor of Instructional Technology and Career & Technical Education (CTE).

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Teachers were up and running quickly with minimal training. And because students were genuinely excited to use Seesaw, engagement soared.

Joseph Scaldino, Supervisor of Instructional Technology and Career & Technical Education (CTE)

In the Linden Public School district, the platform became more than just a stopgap—it was a turning point. With intuitive tools and seamless Apple integration, Seesaw enabled continuity in instruction and consistency in student experience.

More importantly, it gave students meaningful ways to express their learning.

Dr. Suzanne Olivero, a principal in Linden, shared how she’s seen Seesaw and iPads shift instructional practices at the school level. “As a principal, I’ve observed us educators turning traditional lessons

into interactive experiences. Students record verbal explanations of math problems, create digital art tied to literature, and collaborate on science investigations,” she said. “This tech integration increases student engagement, leads to higher assignment completion rates, and encourages meaningful peer-to-peer interactions.” Dr. Olivero pointed to how Seesaw scaffolds learning without stigmatizing students. “Students

can get the support they need without others knowing they’re receiving accommodations. It’s discreet and empowering.”

Educators in Linden utilize the Seesaw District Library as a resource among schools. Teachers can view exemplar student work, share activities with peers, and align lessons with district goals for equity and inclusion.

“You can walk into any elementary classroom in our district and see Seesaw in action,” said Scaldino. “It’s a consistent, reliable learning experience.”

Superintendent Perkins stresses the importance of ongoing teacher support:

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We listen to our educators. Their feedback informs our decision-making. Our job as leaders is to remove barriers so teachers can do what they do best— teach and inspire.

Dr. Atiya Perkins, Superintendent

This collaborative, teacher-centered approach has cultivated a culture of trust and innovation. Educators feel supported and empowered to experiment with new instructional strategies that make learning more dynamic and personalized.

Equity Through Innovation: Meeting Every Learner’s Needs Linden’s technology initiative is grounded in the belief that equity and innovation are not mutually exclusive.

In fact, they are interdependent. By ensuring every student has access to an iPad and the tools to express themselves effectively, the district is leveling the playing field.

For students with learning disabilities or language barriers, features like text-to-speech, voice recording, and visual supports enable deeper engagement and comprehension. These tools foster independence while maintaining academic rigor.

Kim Kefalas explains, “The accessibility features built into iPads are game-changers. Students can listen to text repeatedly, highlight key information, and even dictate their responses. These tools give all students, regardless of ability, the opportunity to participate meaningfully.”

Conclusion: A District Leading with Purpose Linden Public Schools has charted a transformative path defined by vision, equity, and innovation. Through its thoughtful integration of Seesaw and Apple technology, the district has built a learning environment where every student has the tools and support to succeed.

From enhancing special education to empowering multilingual learners, from deepening family engagement to addressing teacher’s needs, Linden’s journey is a powerful example of how technology can be a catalyst for meaningful change.

Linden Public Schools has 10 schools that are Apple Distinguished, one teacher, and one administrator who are Apple Distinguished Educators. As the district continues its pursuit of Apple Distinguished District recognition, it stands as a beacon for others to follow. Educators from neighboring districts have commended the district’s long-term vision and effective implementation. These site visits also foster valuable collaboration among districts, enabling shared learning and regional progress. Visitors leave with practical ideas and a renewed sense of what’s possible in their own schools.

Linden’s story proves that when equity, vision, and technology come together with purpose, the future of education is not only bright—it is boundless.

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When a platform is simple, engaging, and aligned to our tech infrastructure, it becomes more than a resource—it’s part of our success story.

Dr. Atiya Perkins, Superintendent

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Earned Digital Promise product certifications for

Structured and explicit literacy instruction based

Research-Based Design for Instructional Learning

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Louisa Moats and Wiley Blevins

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