There is no argument that teachers are the most valuable asset in a student’s learning experience. This fact was only further underscored over the past 18 months.

While the increase in easy-to-use technology used in the classroom has been a significant improvement, teachers remain the most important factor in the learning equation and should be recognized as such.

Lessons learned over the course of the pandemic have highlighted ways that schools and districts can best support teachers and students throughout the learning experience.

Key takeaways from a year of transition

With millions of students transitioning to remote learning, teachers quickly realized that a one-size-fits-all approach would simply not translate to online instruction. Instead, instruction needed to be adjusted to fit the needs of each individual student. Educators who were able to leverage technology to personalize instruction saw better results, including higher student engagement and a more collaborative and cohesive learning community.

Technology and digital tools were critical components for this initiative, despite the learning curve that many teachers faced in their implementation. Teachers who were less comfortable with technology tools quickly had to overcome their hesitance, familiarizing both themselves and their students with new platforms and resources. They soon learned that having an integrated instructional approach lent itself to a successful transition to a remote learning environment.