About the Author: Jenn Breisacher

Designing effective group learning activities is a delicate balance. It is remarkably easy for these exercises to devolve into a scenario where one team member assumes all the responsibility while another manages to skate by with minimal contribution. This dynamic can undermine the common goal and hinder the development of crucial decision-making skills and creative … Read more

When March 2020 arrived, schools around the world closed their doors. Learning from a computer screen became the sudden norm. Teachers worked hard to provide instruction during a time of great uncertainty. They used digital tools to reach students. This period created a major misunderstanding. Many people called this “virtual learning” or “blended learning.” In … Read more

Have you ever noticed that when something goes wrong, a communication breakdown is often at the root? This underscores why, as educators, it is essential to establish clear, reliable methods for fostering effective classroom communication. Whether between students, colleagues, families, or between teacher and student, good communication in the classroom is foundational to a positive … Read more

What school has looked like has changed substantially over the decades since public education began. What started as a way to mold citizens into good factory workers is now the gateway to the entrepreneurial systems we are living with today. As society changes, education needs to ebb and flow with the needs of our current … Read more

When I first heard about student engagement surveys years ago, I rolled my eyes so hard I nearly strained something. Another thing to add to the plate? Another data point to track? I was already drowning in grading, lesson planning, and trying to remember if I’d eaten lunch before my sixth-period class noticed I was … Read more

Creating a dynamic and effective learning environment hinges on a teacher’s ability to foster genuine student engagement. This concept of student engagement is multifaceted, encompassing behavioral engagement (actions and active participation), cognitive engagement (critical thinking and the struggle for a correct answer), and emotional engagement (investment and connection to the subject matter). A well-considered plan … Read more

When I first started exploring student engagement tools years ago, I thought the technology itself would solve my problems. Find the right platform, download the right app, and suddenly, students will care. It took failing in front of real classrooms to learn the truth: engagement isn’t about the tool…it’s about what the tool unlocks in … Read more

It was the middle of a Tuesday in October, a year I’ll never forget, and I was standing in front of a class of 34 high school students who had collectively decided that my lesson on the causes of World War I was the perfect time to stage a silent revolt. Heads were down, eyes … Read more

Let’s be honest, education can feel like an endless pendulum swing. But while philosophies come and go, one thing isn’t swinging back: our world’s deep dive into technology. It’s staggering to think that just ten years ago, the computer in your pocket was a futuristic dream. Now, it’s as commonplace as a pair of sneakers. … Read more

Here’s the thing about classroom management that I’ve learned over the years: structure isn’t about control. It’s about freedom. When you’re standing in front of twenty-five students who are all moving at different speeds, the difference between chaos and productivity often comes down to one simple tool. A timer for classroom activities tells students, “This … Read more

It seems to sneak up on many of us…all of a sudden, it is the perfect time to buy unique teacher appreciation gifts for one (or many) of the educators in our daily lives. Sometimes we know those teachers well and immediately have an idea for an appropriate teacher present. Other times, we are left … Read more