Alex Isaacs is an 8th-grade math teacher at Red Bank Middle School with seven years of full-time teaching experience. He is passionate about providing engaging content for students and teachers and specializes in multiple edtech platforms/tools. He believes in forming strong connections with his diverse learners first to foster a caring classroom community where students feel safe to be themselves.

Key Takeaways:

• We need to remember and take what we didn’t like as students and do better for our students.
• All students need to know they have a place where they know they are cared for and heard.
• Administrators need to “keep it real” for those they lead.
• Specific recognition and appreciation helps teachers stay motivated.
• There are times that encouragement works much better than exerting control when offering new tools or initiatives.
• EdTech needs to follow three rules and be something well received by both teachers and staff if it is to take hold. 
  • Not too difficult
  • A platform that offers professional development
  • Something that gives resources teachers can immediately use
• EdTech tools can help personalize learning and communication with the diverse families and students we find in our classrooms and schools.
• Leaders need to build time into schedules, offer ongoing learning and exploration of tools, and provide certifications to incentivize participation if they want teachers and students to effectively implement new tools.
• We need to focus on creating caring classroom communities.

Stay in Touch:

Twitter: @mr_isaacs_math

Wakelet: https://t.co/d8Id3aDvvC

We’re thrilled to be sponsored by Renaissance and IXL. 

Learn more about Renaissance:

As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.