9 Insights to Transform Your Classroom from the Back to School Blockbuster
As we’re getting into the flow of the new academic year, creating inclusive, engaging and effective learning environments is continuing to be top of mind for educators and the key that unlocks learner success.
The Back to School Blockbuster: Lights, Camera, Educate! conference brought together educators, administrators and advocates to share the latest strategies and insights that can transform classrooms. From addressing the unique challenges faced by students with disabilities to how to reignite a passion for teaching, all of the sessions were designed to inspire and offer practical strategies that can elevate your lessons and help create an inclusive and supportive atmosphere for all learners.
Whether you attended the conference or are catching up on the highlights, here are nine key takeaways that spotlight the spirit of the conference...
1. Inclusion starts with mindset
Creating an inclusive classroom isn’t just about accommodations or tools. It’s about shifting how we think, teach and engage with our students. The experts from our Inclusive Arkansas session put it, “Creating an inclusive classroom is about more than just providing support for students with disabilities—it's about ensuring every learner feels they belong.”
2. Craft Your calling to avoid burnout
“Two teachers can have the same job—one loves it, the other hates it. It’s not the ‘why’ that makes the difference; it’s the ‘how.’” - Chase Mielke, M.Ed
Burnout in education is real, but it’s not inevitable. Teachers who connect with their sense of purpose find more joy and fulfillment in their roles. In the REIGNITE session, Chase Mielke said “Two teachers can have the same job—one loves it, the other hates it. It’s not the ‘why’ that makes the difference; it’s the ‘how.’” By revisiting your passion for teaching and aligning it with your daily actions, you can reignite that initial spark.
3. “Students don’t hate math. What they hate is being confused, intimidated, and embarrassed by math.” - Louis Shanafelt
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) challenges us to inspire and engage students by presenting content in diverse and accessible ways. Incorporating graphs, visual aids, and alternative formats helps students better grasp mathematical concepts, offering them multiple avenues to demonstrate their understanding. Tools like Equatio enable the creation of digital, accessible, and interactive math content, making it easier for students to engage without fear.
Keyboard shortcuts to speed up efficiency and keep learners engaged. - especially for the kids who have strong computational skills. Eliminates frustrations for teachers and gets straight to the point to see what the learner is trying to show you.
4. Accessible tools benefit all learners
The tools we use for accessibility don’t just help students with IEPs; they improve outcomes for everyone. This is highlighted in the Playbook: Providing Age-Appropriate Content to Learners, “When you remove barriers, you’re not lowering the bar—you’re empowering students to transcend them.” Tools like Read&Write and uPar give students the power to access age-appropriate content and foster independence, no matter their learning style.
5. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is essential for equity
Creating an environment where all students can succeed requires a shift toward UDL. “Our goal isn’t to reduce struggle for the sake of comfort, but to use tools that allow all students to reach their full potential.” UDL isn’t about remediation—it’s about providing the right support at the right time, to unlock potential for all learners.
6. Small acts of kindness create an upward spiral
Intentional acts of kindness can be incredibly powerful in the classroom. In the REIGNITE a stand out point was that, “We often overcomplicate what it means to make a difference. It can be as simple as a smile for a student who hasn’t seen one all day.” By consciously choosing kindness, we create a ripple effect that uplifts everyone in the classroom.
7. Embrace Diverse Perspectives:
Mickey Rowe emphasized the importance of including diverse voices and experiences in education.
"When we incorporate different perspectives, we create a richer, more inclusive learning environment."
8. Don't wait for the perfect conditions—Start now
It’s easy to think that change will come when everything is “just right,” but one of the conference’s key messages was that the perfect time to start is now. “Craft your calling—don’t wait for the perfect conditions. The best way to make change is to start right where you are.”
9. Prioritize Social-Emotional Learning (SEL):
Recognizing the importance of SEL in education is essential. “Supporting students’ emotional well-being can significantly impact their academic success.”
These takeaways just scratch the surface of the invaluable insights shared during the conference. For the full experience and to gain a deeper understanding, be sure to watch the conference on demand and set the stage for your best year in education yet!
P.S. Here’s what our attendees had to say…
- “Keynote speakers were very relatable and on point with education today. Content sessions were appropriate and beneficial for today's educator.”
- “It was one of the best events I have attended in a long time. The session lengths and speakers were great.”
- “I love the accessibility and I can't wait to provide trainings to my staff.”
- “Clear and concise information with step by step instructions.”
- “LEARNED A LOT”