Tara Savino

I learned that preparing for the classroom is more than lesson planning—it includes organization, clear expectations, and anticipating student needs.  I plan to use better pacing, structure, and engagement strategies to create a smoother learning environment for students.

I learned that barriers like unclear directions, time limits, and anxiety can affect student performance. I plan to make assessments clearer and more flexible so all students can show what they know.  Communicating with parents so everyone is on the same page.
 
 

I learned that assessments help guide instruction, not just measure learning. Formative assessments act like a GPS to adjust teaching in real time, while summative assessments measure final understanding. I plan to use more quick checks and reflections to better support student learning.
 
 

One key takeaway is how Positive Psychology can support both student wellbeing and learning. I plan to use more positive feedback and reflection to build confidence and engagement. I’m curious how others balance this with curriculum demands.

I learned that focusing on character strengths helps build student confidence, engagement, and a positive classroom environment. Recognizing strengths like perseverance, teamwork, and curiosity shifts attention from weaknesses to growth. I plan to apply this by intentionally naming and reinforcing these strengths during class and lab activities, helping students see how their strengths support learning and behavior.

I learned that PERMA—Positive emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment—supports well-being. I plan to apply it by fostering engagement, strong relationships, and meaningful goals in my classroom.

I learned that positive psychology—focusing on strengths, gratitude, and a growth mindset—can boost student engagement and teacher effectiveness. I plan to apply these strategies to create a more supportive and motivating classroom.

I learned that remote CTE teaching works best when using interactive tools, videos, and immersive experiences to engage students and build skills. I plan to apply this by integrating digital projects and flipped lessons into my courses, helping students demonstrate learning creatively while staying connected.

In this module, I gained valuable insights into flipped teaching, video integration, flow models (synchronous and asynchronous), immersive experience delivery, and online journaling. These are fantastic resources for CTE educators, and I’m excited to incorporate them into student learning to enhance engagement and outcomes.

A professional community for Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers focused on strengthening instructional competencies, sharing best practices, and improving student outcomes in high-skill, in-demand careers.  I will collaborate by sharing best practices, innovative ideas, reflections, and resources to serve our students better and strengthen CTE programs.