Diversity showcase

At Memorial Pathway Academy, collaboration is more than a strategy — it’s a cornerstone of student success. This spring, the library is once again at the center of innovative teaching as Dr. Kendall Hutchinson, MPA’s Teacher of the Year for the nontraditional hallway, partners with Ms. Monica Black, the campus librarian, to bring a new cultural learning experience to students.

Dr. Hutchinson’s classes will participate in the library’s upcoming Diversity Showcase, a project designed to celebrate global identity, research skills, and student voice. Using the library’s digital tools — including research databases, Canva, and AI Mode — students will design digital posters representing their home countries. They will then present their work in the library, using their public speaking skills to teach others about the history, culture, and traditions that shape their identities.

For many students, this project is more than an assignment; it’s a chance to share their stories and take pride in where they come from.

This work builds on an already strong instructional partnership. Earlier in the year, Dr. Hutchinson and Ms. Black co‑taught lessons on the ethical use of AI, helping students learn how to ask effective questions, evaluate responses, and cite AI as a source — skills that support responsible technology use across subjects.

The Diversity Showcase is the next chapter in that ongoing collaboration. By combining Dr. Hutchinson’s commitment to student growth with Ms. Black’s expertise in literacy and digital tools, the two educators are creating meaningful, culturally rich learning experiences that extend far beyond the classroom.