Pasadena Unified School District

Dr. Nadirah Nayo

Dr. Nadirah Nayo is the Director of Curriculum, Instruction, Professional Development and Ed Tech for Pasadena Unified School District. A former math teacher and specialist, she holds a doctorate in curriculum and instruction and works passionately to make math accessible for all students. She also mentors future teachers as an Adjunct Professor at CSULB. Nayo began her K-12 career as a secondary Math and Science teacher. Later, she took on leadership roles such as department chair and school site council member. After five years, she transitioned to a district-level role as an instructional math coach, contributing to statewide and national mathematics projects, including SBAC and Gates Foundation initiatives.

Following eight years in coaching, she advanced to Coordinator of Curriculum, Instruction and Professional Development, expanding her work beyond math. Now serving as Director of Curriculum, Instruction, Professional Development and EdTech, she leads with a focus on innovation and excellence across multiple disciplines.

Through this article, Nayo explores the challenges and evolving practices in K-12 curriculum development, emphasizing flexibility in teaching sequences, stakeholder collaboration and personalized learning trends. It highlights the role of technology, formative assessments and inclusivity in shaping modern education while addressing pandemic-driven shifts.

“Education is experiencing a convergence of major shifts, including personalized learning, technology integration, STEM/ STEAM, equity and inclusion and social emotional learning.”

Addressing Challenges and Flexibility in K-12 Curriculum Development

Developing K-12 curriculums presents unique challenges, particularly due to varying interpretations of what a curriculum entails. Some view it as the instructional materials purchased for teaching, while others define it as a course of study that includes instruction and learning goals. At Pasadena Unified School District, the curriculum is defined as the set of state standards used to guide teaching and align purchasing decisions for instructional materials.

One major challenge arises when state standards and course sequences do not align with how publishers organize their materials. This often requires teachers to deviate from the prescribed order, skipping sections and returning to them later. To address this, the district emphasizes that as long as standards are covered with the appropriate amount of instructional time, the teaching sequence can be flexible. This approach fosters teacher autonomy while ensuring alignment with educational goals.

Shaping the Future of Education

Education is experiencing a convergence of major shifts, including personalized learning, technology integration, STEM/STEAM, equity and inclusion and social-emotional learning. In assessment, schools are moving away from large-scale end-of-year state assessments in favor of ongoing formative and local assessments, which better inform daily teaching and learning. These larger assessments still provide valuable system-wide data.

There is also a growing emphasis on college and career readiness, acknowledging that not all students will pursue a four-year degree but can still be prepared for productive lives and careers through other means.

The pandemic highlighted many issues in education and led to swift changes. It demonstrated that students can successfully learn remotely and engage meaningfully even outside the physical classroom. During a recent walkthrough of high school English and math classes, Nadirah observed a student who, despite being unable to attend in person, joined virtually. The student was actively engaged and the teacher checked in on them as they would with any in-person student. This shift has enhanced access to content and tools for teaching and learning, making it easier for students and teachers to collaborate.

Improving Engagement and Efficiency in Curriculum Development

At Pasadena Unified School District, a collaborative approach is used to improve the engagement and efficiency of curriculum development and delivery. The district involves a wide range of stakeholders—teachers, students, parents, administrators and community members—in selecting instructional materials, all while ensuring alignment with state standards. Teachers, being the primary content deliverers, play a crucial role in this process.

Historically, materials were selected through a topdown approach, but the district shifted to a more inclusive model, focusing on doing things with rather than with teachers and students. This approach has resulted in better implementation of materials and provided valuable student feedback to address their needs.

Additionally, the district has introduced districtwide Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) in elementary schools, which have significantly aided in planning and helping teachers understand new curricular materials. While the process was challenging initially, survey data from a year and a half into the initiative shows positive upward trends in effectiveness.

Advice for Young Professionals in Education

For young professionals aspiring to build a career in education, Nadirah recommends gaining firsthand experience by substituting in classrooms or shadowing educators. This allows them to gain a realistic understanding of the daily demands in the field. There is often a misconception that teaching and other education roles are not as challenging as they appear. Many prospective educators enter the field with an idealized view of what education and the classroom environment are like, only to feel disillusioned when faced with the reality.

Learning through books is different from being in the classroom, where quick decision-making and judgment calls are required, all while maintaining decorum and managing relationships with students, parents and colleagues. Getting this hands-on experience is essential for understanding the complexities of the education profession.

Essential Skills for Success in Education Today

In today’s education space, Nadirah emphasizes that flexibility and humility are critical skills for success. The ability to "check your ego” at the door is essential for working effectively in classrooms and district offices. It is important to recognize what is beyond your control and be comfortable with what you can influence.

Another crucial skill is the willingness to be wrong, make mistakes and learn from them. A commitment to continuous learning is vital, especially as technology and other aspects of the education field evolve rapidly. Being adaptable and open to growth ensures success in this dynamic environment.