By differentiating instruction, teachers can better meet students where they are on their learning journeys. However, personalizing learning isn’t easy. Teachers must make the most of every moment to keep students engaged and drive positive learning outcomes. That’s why it’s essential to have systems in place that help teachers create impactful and engaging experiences.
Discovery Education Partner Success Manager Andrea Arthur is a lifelong learner with 25 years of experience as a public school educator. She led an engaging discussion with three principals about how they maximize instructional time to help accelerate achievement for all students. Continue reading to learn about three expert-recommended strategies to make the most of instructional time.
Meet the Experts
Adriana Arellano
Principal, Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District
Adriana Arellano is an experienced educator with over 24 years in the field of education, spanning roles from high school math teacher to elementary school principal. Beginning as a high school math teacher, Adriana spent 11 years cultivating a passion for teaching and inspiring students in the classroom. Transitioning into leadership, she served as an elementary assistant principal for 4 years as an elementary assistant principal, and for the past 9 years, Adriana has served as an elementary school principal. She has led with a focus on academic excellence, student well-being, and community engagement.
Jessi Aue
Principal, Owosso Public Schools
Jessi Aue has been a part of education for 20 years now. She spent the first 10 years teaching in Georgia before coming full circle by returning to the school she grew up in! As a teacher, she found incredible support through the Discovery Educators Network (DEN), which really helped shape her approach to teaching and leadership. In 2018, she took on the role of principal, and focuses on supporting teachers, creating a community where every student feels like they truly belong, and building strong connections with families.
Dr. Priscilla Johnson
Principal, Dorchester School District Two
Dr. Priscilla Johnson is a dedicated educator with 19 years of experience, renowned for her commitment to fostering academic excellence and has earned numerous honors, including National Board Certification, Azalea Magazine’s Educator of the Year, Teacher of the Year, District Honor Teacher, and most recently, the title of Cool School Principal from WCBD News 2 in Charleston, SC. Dr. Johnson’s passion for education transcends borders; in both 2005 and 2015, she taught in the Cape Coast region of Ghana, West Africa, embracing a global approach to teaching. She currently leads as principal of Joseph R. Pye Elementary School in Ladson, South Carolina, overseeing the education of 775 students from 4K through 5th grade.
3 Steps for Maximizing Instructional Time
1. Invest in Strategic Professional Development
All three panelists emphasized the importance of providing teachers with meaningful professional development opportunities. Listening to teachers about the content or strategies they want to explore can offer valuable insights into their professional needs, concerns, and ideas. This input can help shape a more effective strategy for professional development. Just as students have unique learning journeys, educators benefit from tailored professional development to better meet the diverse needs of their students.
2. Empower Teachers to Lead and Innovate
Trust your teachers as experts in their field. By fostering an environment that encourages collaboration, risk-taking, and innovation, educators will feel valued and supported. “Teachers are your greatest resource. Find opportunities for them to share with each other.” – Adriana Arellano
Teachers manage classrooms, utilize technology, and address the needs of diverse learners every day. Empowering them to share ideas, learn from each other, and support one another leads to a stronger, more enriching learning environment for students. “Our students want to show what they know in meaningful ways. We need to ask ourselves: how can we find new projects and ways students can demonstrate their learning?” – Jessi Aue
3. Identify Engaging Instructional Practices
“It’s not so much about the quantity of time that you’re spending on a topic; it’s what you’re doing with the time that you’ve been given and maximizing the student engagement during that time. That’s really what makes the difference!” – Dr. Priscilla Johnson
Effective lesson planning is key to fostering student engagement. When lessons capture students’ interest right away, learning begins immediately without the need for extra coaxing. Managing group activities, encouraging collaboration, and selecting engaging, relevant activities is no small feat . That’s why teachers benefit from a toolkit of strategies and ideas to make every instructional moment count.
A supportive, growth-focused culture will encourage educators to try new ideas and foster an engaging journey for every learner. Leaders who reflect on their current practices and collaborate with their educators to make future plans will help accelerate personal learning for all students.
