5 Transformations That Revitalized My Teaching Career

Chad OstrowskiBlog, Classroom Management, Differentiation, Grading & Assessment, Innovation, Lesson Planning, Mastery Learning, Personalized Learning, The Grid Method

Teaching is a journey filled with highs and lows. There was a time when I felt my passion for education waning, and my classroom management was slipping. It was a challenging period, and I even considered quitting. I realized that to reignite my enthusiasm and enhance my students’ learning experiences, I needed to make some significant changes. Making changes is … Read More

Why Students Act Out and 4 Ways to Create a Calmer Classroom

Chad OstrowskiBlog, Classroom Management, Differentiation, Innovation, Lesson Planning, Mastery Learning, Personalized Learning, Student Engagement

Managing behavior in the classroom can be one of the biggest challenges we face as educators. The reality is, no one walks into their classroom hoping for a day filled with disruptions and discipline issues. Yet, despite our best intentions, students still act out. Why does this happen, and more importantly, how can we address it in a way that … Read More

Building Stronger Connections With Students Through Personalized Learning Plans

Chad OstrowskiBlog, Classroom Management, Differentiation, Innovation, Lesson Planning, Mastery Learning, Personalized Learning, Student Engagement

If there is one thing in education that gets touted as a cure all for everything its “student relationships” and connections. While I will absolutely say these are critical to educational success in any school, district, or classroom, finding the right way to achieve this connection can be challenging. Not only are we facing a population of learners that is … Read More

5 Benefits of Progressive Instruction for Modern Classrooms

Chad OstrowskiBlog, Differentiation, Innovation, Lesson Planning, Mastery Learning, Student Engagement

TL;DR: Progressive instruction fosters student-centered learning, critical thinking, and adaptability. Key benefits include active learning, personalized approaches, collaboration, lifelong habits, and dynamic classrooms. Using frameworks like The Grid Method can make implementing these strategies manageable and effective. Education is evolving, and so are the methods we use to teach and engage students. One of the most impactful approaches that is … Read More

Embracing AI in the ELA Classroom

Kari PitstickBlog, Classroom Management, Differentiation, Innovation, Leadership, Lesson Planning, Mastery Learning, Reflect Better, Student Engagement, Teach Happier

 TL;DR: Initial hesitation about AI in ELA classrooms was based on misconceptions. Embracing AI tools like Classroom Companion enhances student learning and provides instant feedback. AI doesn’t replace teachers, but transforms their role into facilitating learning. AI…In the ELA Classroom? I’m not going to lie. When I first thought about using AI in my ELA classroom, all I could think … Read More