Georgia Educator Kristy Beam Wins Award for Transforming Learning Spaces

Kristy Beam, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning for City Schools of Decatur, has been recognised for her innovative approach to education. She received the Innovative Leader Award for 'Most Innovative Learning Spaces' at Tech & Learning’s Georgia leadership summit. Her work focuses on transforming learning environments and improving data use in schools. During the 2020-21 academic year, Beam reimagined learning spaces by adopting a virtual learning program. She embedded a social-emotional learning regimen into it to support students’ overall wellbeing. When the pandemic struck, she assembled a teacher team to share responsibilities and resources more effectively.

Beam’s experience spans teaching grades 3-12, university-level teacher preparation, and administrative roles. She now aims to build a strong data culture in the district. Her current project involves studying the best data warehousing tool to enhance instructional data use. She also works to humanise data and empower teachers to use it strategically. Beam’s efforts have reshaped learning spaces and strengthened data-driven instruction in the district. Her initiatives continue to support teachers and students through innovative and collaborative methods. The district benefits from her leadership in both technology and data utilisation.