Rethinking Teacher Evaluations: Consistency Over Performance

Chad OstrowskiBlog, Innovate Better, Lead Better, Lesson Plan Better, Manage Better, Reflect Better, The Grid Method

The topic of teacher evaluations often stirs a mix of anxiety and debate among educators. I feel the stress and anxiety in classrooms all around the country. While these assessments aim to measure teaching effectiveness, they tend to (more often than we’d all like to admit) promote a culture of “performance” lessons—special classes designed to impress school leaders. This raises … Read More

5 Benefits of Progressive Instruction for Modern Classrooms

Chad OstrowskiBlog, Differentiate Better, Engage Better, Innovate Better, Lesson Plan Better, Mastery Done Better

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

Educational Initiatives: Taking Your Staff from Stressed to Strategic

Chad OstrowskiBlog, Lead Better

TL;DR: Set teachers up for success by limiting the number of new educational initiatives. Allow for flexibility with what is being introduced and how it is being used. Provide teachers with adequate time and support for them to be successful. Click here to watch Chad’s vlog on this topic! Let’s Be Honest… Getting instructional or educational initiatives off the ground … Read More

Social Studies Mastery Grid Tips and Tricks

Chad OstrowskiBlog, Differentiate Better, Lesson Plan Better, Manage Better, Mastery Done Better

TL;DR: When developing a social studies grid, check the standards and identify skills vs. content focuses. Keep the big picture in mind. Mix up the modalities and types of learning that happen within the grid. Making a Grid Just in case you’re not familiar, The Grid Method is a self-paced mastery framework where the teacher creates a learning pathway in … Read More