Unlocking Engage New York ELA: Top Teacher Success Strategies

Navigating the complexities of English Language Arts instruction requires robust tools and clear strategies. For many educators across New York, implementing the Engage New York ELA curriculum is central to fostering literacy development. This comprehensive program, aligned with the Common Core State Standards, presents both opportunities and challenges for teachers aiming to maximize student learning. Mastering its intricate curriculum modules, ensuring high levels of student engagement, and effectively applying differentiation strategies are key pathways to success. This article unpacks top teacher strategies to truly unlock the potential within this vital educational framework.

Image taken from the YouTube channel EngageNY , from the video titled "My favorite class is ELA," says New York student .

The Engage New York ELA Program (EngageNY ELA) stands as a cornerstone of English Language Arts instruction across New York State. Developed by the New York State Education Department (NYSED), this comprehensive, standards-aligned curriculum provides a crucial framework for fostering literacy skills from kindergarten through twelfth grade. Its primary objective is to equip all students with the reading, writing, speaking, and listening proficiencies essential for success in college and careers, aligning rigorously with the New York State P-12 Common Core Learning Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy.

The Significance of EngageNY ELA

EngageNY ELA is more than just a set of lessons; it's a foundational resource. As a free, publicly available curriculum, it represents NYSED's commitment to ensuring equitable access to high-quality instructional materials for all districts. Its widespread adoption across the state underscores its role in unifying ELA instruction and setting clear expectations for student achievement.

The Teacher's Pivotal Role

While the curriculum itself is robust, its success hinges significantly on effective teacher implementation. Educators are the vital link between the carefully designed modules and student learning outcomes. A deep understanding of EngageNY ELA's core pedagogical shifts—such as a focus on complex texts, evidence-based discussions, and writing from sources—is paramount. Teachers must expertly navigate its structure, pacing, and assessment components to unlock its full potential. When implemented with fidelity and instructional expertise, EngageNY ELA can profoundly enhance student engagement, critical thinking, and overall ELA proficiency.

Essential Strategies for Success

This resource is designed to provide actionable insights for educators seeking to maximize their effectiveness with EngageNY ELA. We will explore top teaching strategies that go beyond the basic lesson plans, offering practical approaches to deepen student comprehension, foster critical literacy, and ensure every learner achieves mastery. Our aim is to equip you with the tools to confidently implement the curriculum, elevate your instruction, and ultimately, drive positive and lasting student outcomes in English Language Arts.

Having established the significance of the Engage New York ELA Program within the New York State educational landscape, our next step is to ground ourselves in its fundamental principles. Understanding the curriculum's architectural blueprint is essential for any teacher aiming to implement it effectively.

Understanding the Foundation of Engage New York ELA

Before diving into specific strategies, this section provides a foundational understanding of the Engage New York ELA curriculum. It explores its alignment with Common Core State Standards, delves into its core components and design principles, and clarifies the overarching literacy and ELA proficiency goals set for students, preparing teachers to grasp the program's pedagogical intent.

Alignment with Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for English Language Arts (ELA)

The Engage New York ELA curriculum is explicitly designed as a direct embodiment of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for English Language Arts. Adopted by New York State in 2010, the CCSS set clear, consistent guidelines for what students should know and be able to do in ELA and mathematics at each grade level.

Engage New York ELA translates these standards into practice by emphasizing three key instructional shifts:

• Building Knowledge through Content-Rich Nonfiction: The curriculum integrates literature with robust informational texts to build students' knowledge in various subjects. This exposure helps students develop a deeper understanding of the world and the vocabulary needed to articulate it.
• Reading, Writing, and Speaking Grounded in Evidence from Text: Students are consistently challenged to support their claims and analyses with direct evidence from the texts they are reading. This fosters critical thinking and analytical skills, moving beyond surface-level comprehension.
• Regular Practice with Complex Text and Its Academic Language: The program deliberately features authentic, complex texts across all grade levels, ensuring students grapple with the kind of challenging material they will encounter in college and careers. Scaffolding is provided to ensure accessibility without diluting rigor.

This strong alignment ensures that as teachers implement Engage New York ELA, they are simultaneously addressing the mandates and achieving the ambitious outcomes set forth by the CCSS.

Core Components and Design Principles of the Curriculum

The Engage New York ELA curriculum is structured to facilitate deep learning and skill development. Its design principles are evident in its modular organization and pedagogical approach:

• Modular Design: The curriculum is organized into modules, each typically lasting 6-8 weeks. Each module comprises several "units," and each unit is broken down into individual lessons. This structured approach provides a clear progression of learning objectives and activities.
• Text-Based Learning: At its heart, Engage New York ELA is text-centric. Every module revolves around a set of carefully selected, high-quality texts—both literary and informational—that serve as the primary source material for reading, writing, speaking, and listening activities.
• Close Reading and Analysis: Students are guided through repeated close readings of complex texts. This involves detailed examination of vocabulary, sentence structure, author's craft, and main ideas, leading to a profound understanding of the text's meaning and purpose.
• Integrated Skills Development: Rather than isolating skills, the curriculum integrates reading, writing, speaking, and listening activities. For example, students might read a text, discuss it, write an argumentative essay about it, and then present their findings orally.
• Performance-Based Tasks: Each module culminates in a significant performance-based assessment. These tasks require students to synthesize their learning and demonstrate their mastery of specific ELA standards through extended writing, presentations, or other authentic forms of expression.

These principles combine to create a coherent and rigorous learning experience designed to build sophisticated literacy skills incrementally.

Goals for Students in Literacy and ELA Proficiency

The overarching goal of the Engage New York ELA curriculum is to equip students with the literacy and ELA proficiency necessary for success in their academic lives and beyond. Specifically, the program aims for students to:

• Become Proficient Readers: Develop the ability to comprehend, analyze, and critique a wide range of complex texts across various genres and disciplines. This includes understanding implicit and explicit meanings and evaluating arguments.
• Develop Strong Writers: Cultivate the skills to produce clear, coherent, and evidence-based writing for various purposes and audiences. This encompasses argumentative, informative, and narrative writing styles.
• Master Effective Communication: Become skilled in both formal and informal oral communication, participating productively in discussions, presenting ideas clearly, and listening actively and critically.
• Build Academic Vocabulary and Language: Systematically expand their vocabulary and understanding of academic language structures, which are crucial for accessing complex content and expressing nuanced ideas.
• Engage in Critical Thinking: Foster the ability to evaluate information, construct logical arguments, and solve problems using textual evidence and reasoning.
• Achieve College and Career Readiness: Ultimately, the curriculum aims to ensure all students are prepared for the demanding literacy tasks required in higher education, vocational training, and the modern workforce.

By establishing this robust foundation, Engage New York ELA seeks to cultivate not just skilled readers and writers, but thoughtful, articulate, and informed citizens.

Having established the foundational pillars of Engage New York ELA, including its alignment with Common Core State Standards and core design principles, the focus now shifts to the practical aspects of bringing this comprehensive curriculum to life in the classroom. Effective implementation hinges on thorough teacher preparation, ensuring educators are not just familiar with the program but are ready to confidently navigate its complexities and leverage its full potential.

Essential Preparation for Teachers

Effective implementation begins with thorough preparation. This section guides teachers through the critical steps of understanding the Engage New York ELA instructional materials, leveraging available professional development, and aligning with NYSED expectations for curriculum delivery. It emphasizes the importance of readiness for confident and successful classroom execution.

Deep Diving into Engage New York ELA Instructional Materials

The Engage New York ELA curriculum is designed with a specific pedagogical intent: to build knowledge, cultivate reading and writing skills, and foster critical thinking through engaging, text-rich modules. For teachers, a deep dive into these materials is non-negotiable.

Start by reviewing the overall structure of the curriculum. You'll find it organized into distinct modules, each typically lasting six to eight weeks. Within each module are units, and within units are individual lessons. This structured approach ensures a progressive build of content knowledge and skills.

Pay close attention to the following:

• Module Overviews: These provide the big picture – the learning goals, central texts, and assessment types for the entire module. Understanding the "why" behind each module's design is crucial.
• Unit Plans: These break down the module into smaller, manageable chunks, outlining daily learning targets and the sequence of activities.
• Lesson Plans: Each lesson provides detailed instructions, including materials needed, specific teaching moves, and suggested student responses. Familiarize yourself with the explicit language and instructional routines embedded within.
• Appendices: These often contain rubrics, graphic organizers, and foundational skill supports that are vital for differentiating instruction and assessing student work.

Understanding the intent behind the materials means recognizing that Engage NY ELA emphasizes close reading of complex texts, evidence-based writing, and rich academic conversations. The curriculum isn't just a script; it's a framework designed to empower students to think critically and express themselves articulately.

Capitalizing on Professional Development Opportunities

Navigating a comprehensive curriculum like Engage New York ELA can be challenging without adequate support. Fortunately, numerous professional development (PD) opportunities are available to assist teachers in mastering the program. These sessions are designed to deepen understanding, share best practices, and address common implementation hurdles.

Actively seek out and participate in:

• District-led Trainings: Many school districts offer specific workshops and ongoing support tailored to their local context and the curriculum's rollout. These often provide opportunities for collaborative planning and problem-solving with colleagues.
• BOCES Workshops: Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) frequently host regional professional learning sessions that bring together educators from various districts, fostering a broader network for sharing ideas and strategies.
• NYSED Resources: The New York State Education Department (NYSED) website hosts a wealth of free resources, including archived webinars, implementation guides, and curriculum overviews. These are invaluable for independent study and reinforcement.
• Peer Collaboration: Don't underestimate the power of working with your colleagues. Collaborative planning sessions, team teaching, and informal discussions can clarify misconceptions and spark innovative teaching ideas.

Leveraging these opportunities helps teachers stay current with program updates, refine their instructional techniques, and gain confidence in their ability to deliver the curriculum effectively. Professional development isn't just about learning new information; it's about developing the expertise to apply it strategically.

Navigating NYSED Expectations for ELA Curriculum Delivery

Beyond understanding the curriculum materials themselves, teachers must also be thoroughly familiar with the New York State Education Department's (NYSED) overarching expectations for ELA curriculum delivery. These expectations ensure consistency, accountability, and alignment with state learning standards and assessments.

Key areas of NYSED expectation often include:

• Curriculum Pacing and Scope & Sequence: While Engage NY ELA provides a robust framework, NYSED often offers guidance or requirements on the recommended pacing to ensure students cover all necessary content before state assessments.
• Assessment Guidelines: NYSED establishes clear guidelines for both formative and summative assessments, including criteria for evaluating student performance against state standards. Understanding these helps teachers align their classroom assessments with state expectations.
• Integration of Standards: NYSED emphasizes the holistic integration of reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language standards across ELA instruction. Teachers should ensure their implementation of Engage NY ELA reflects this comprehensive approach.
• Data-Driven Instruction: NYSED encourages the use of student data to inform instructional decisions and personalize learning. Teachers should be prepared to collect, analyze, and apply data gleaned from Engage NY ELA assessments.

Regularly reviewing the NYSED ELA website and relevant policy documents is essential. This proactive approach ensures that your teaching practices not only adhere to the Engage New York ELA design but also meet the broader accountability and educational quality standards set forth by the state. Alignment with NYSED expectations is crucial for student success on state assessments and for demonstrating instructional effectiveness.

Having laid the groundwork with thorough preparation and a deep understanding of the Engage New York ELA materials, the focus now shifts to bringing those insights into dynamic classroom practice. Effective implementation hinges on employing key teaching strategies that resonate with the curriculum's design and empower students to achieve deep literacy.

Key Teaching Strategies for Effective Classroom Implementation

Maximizing the impact of Engage New York ELA in the classroom involves more than just delivering content; it requires strategic pedagogical approaches. This section outlines four essential teaching strategies, offering practical applications to help educators differentiate instruction, cultivate profound literacy skills, optimize the use of instructional materials, and actively engage students in meaningful learning experiences.

Strategy 1: Differentiated Instruction within Engage New York ELA

Recognizing the diverse learning needs within any classroom is fundamental for equitable and effective instruction. Differentiated instruction within the Engage New York ELA framework means tailoring lessons to meet students precisely where they are, ensuring all learners can access and master the challenging content.

This often involves utilizing small group instruction as a cornerstone. Teachers can form flexible groups based on specific learning needs identified through formative assessments, providing targeted support in areas like vocabulary acquisition, foundational reading skills, or advanced text analysis. For instance, a small group might receive explicit instruction on analyzing complex sentence structures, while another revisits decoding strategies for multi-syllabic words. Research indicates that the reading levels in a single classroom often span multiple grade levels, making differentiated instruction not just beneficial, but essential for student success.

Beyond small groups, targeted support can also take the form of pre-teaching key vocabulary, providing sentence starters for discussions, offering alternative formats for demonstrating understanding, or extending learning through advanced research opportunities for proficient students. The goal is to provide multiple pathways to learning and mastery within the common curriculum.

Strategy 2: Fostering Deep Literacy Skills

Engage New York ELA is designed to build robust literacy skills through a focus on complex texts. Two primary methods for achieving this are emphasizing close reading and promoting robust academic discussions.

Close reading and text-dependent analysis are at the heart of the curriculum. This strategy involves guiding students to read texts multiple times with different purposes, delving deeper with each read. Initially, students might read for general understanding, then for specific details, and finally to analyze author's craft or argument. Text-dependent questions are crucial here; they compel students to cite evidence directly from the passage, rather than relying on prior knowledge or opinion. This process builds critical thinking and comprehension. The emphasis on text-dependent analysis, a core component of standards like the Common Core, prepares students for the complex texts encountered in higher education and professional fields.

Equally important is promoting robust academic discussions. After close reading, students should be given ample opportunities to articulate their interpretations, challenge ideas, and refine their understanding through peer interaction. Effective discussions require clear norms, accountable talk moves (e.g., "I agree with [name] because...", "I respectfully disagree because..."), and teacher facilitation that encourages all voices. Studies by researchers like Sarah Michaels and Catherine Snow highlight that fostering rich academic discussions significantly improves students' comprehension, vocabulary acquisition, and ability to articulate complex ideas.

Strategy 3: Maximizing Instructional Materials

The Engage New York ELA instructional materials are comprehensive, but their effectiveness depends heavily on how teachers manage and utilize them. Strategic pacing and judicious integration of supplementary resources are key.

Effective pacing and sequencing of Engage New York ELA units ensures that students have sufficient time to grasp complex concepts without losing momentum. This means carefully reviewing the unit plans, identifying critical learning objectives, and allocating time realistically. Teachers must find a balance between covering all required material and allowing for the deep exploration necessary for mastery. Avoiding rushing through modules or dwelling too long on minor points is crucial. Strategic pacing is crucial for ensuring curriculum fidelity and allows educators to cover all essential learning objectives without rushing important concepts, leading to higher rates of student mastery.

Furthermore, integrating supplementary resources when appropriate can enhance the curriculum. While curriculum fidelity is important, teachers may find that certain students benefit from additional texts, graphic organizers, or interactive tools to reinforce learning or provide extension opportunities. For example, a teacher might provide a simplified version of a challenging text for struggling readers or offer a research project on a related topic for advanced learners. These additions should always support the core curriculum goals, not distract from them.

Strategy 4: Engaging Students Actively

Active student engagement transforms passive learners into participants who take ownership of their education. This strategy focuses on techniques that build independence and foster a dynamic learning environment.

Employing techniques to build student independence and critical thinking means shifting the cognitive load to the students themselves. This includes using collaborative learning activities, Socratic seminars, project-based learning, and opportunities for student-led discussions. When students are regularly asked to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information independently or with peers, they develop higher-order thinking skills. Encouraging self-assessment and goal-setting also empowers students to become more autonomous learners. For instance, providing choice in how students demonstrate their understanding can significantly boost motivation and critical thinking.

Finally, creating a supportive and interactive ELA learning environment is paramount. This involves establishing classroom norms that promote respectful dialogue, risk-taking, and a growth mindset. Teachers should foster a safe space where students feel comfortable sharing ideas, asking questions, and making mistakes as part of the learning process. An interactive environment often incorporates movement, hands-on activities, and digital tools, ensuring that ELA is not just about reading and writing, but also about dynamic exploration and discovery. Research, including meta-analyses by scholars like Hattie, consistently demonstrates that active learning strategies lead to greater conceptual understanding and retention compared to passive learning.

Having explored key teaching strategies for effective classroom implementation, it's equally vital to understand how to measure their impact and ensure continuous student progress. This leads us to the strategic use of assessment within Engage New York ELA.

Strategic Assessment in Engage New York ELA

Assessment is not merely about assigning grades; it's an integral part of the teaching and learning cycle, especially within a structured curriculum like Engage New York ELA. This section focuses on its strategic application, covering various formative assessment techniques, how to utilize embedded assessments within the program's materials, and, most importantly, how to leverage the resulting data to refine teaching strategies and inform future curriculum delivery, ensuring continuous student growth.

Formative Assessment Techniques to Monitor Student Progress

Formative assessments are the backbone of responsive teaching, offering real-time insights into student understanding. These low-stakes, ongoing checks allow teachers to monitor student progress in ELA dynamically. Unlike summative assessments, their primary goal is to inform instruction as it happens, identifying misconceptions early and guiding immediate adjustments.

Effective techniques include:

• Observation and Anecdotal Notes: Systematically observing students during group work, discussions, or independent tasks provides invaluable qualitative data on their engagement and comprehension of ELA concepts. Note specific strengths or areas needing support.
• Questioning Strategies: Employing varied questioning techniques—from recall to higher-order thinking—can quickly gauge understanding. Tools like "Think-Pair-Share" or "Turn and Talk" encourage all students to articulate their thoughts.
• Exit Tickets and Quick Checks: Brief, targeted questions at the end of a lesson can reveal immediate takeaways or lingering confusion. These can be as simple as "List one new thing you learned" or "What is one question you still have about [concept]?"
• Student Self-Assessment: Empowering students to reflect on their own learning, perhaps using rubrics or checklists, fosters metacognition and helps them take ownership of their progress.

By regularly employing these methods, teachers gain a pulse on their classroom's collective and individual learning, making it possible to address gaps proactively.

Utilizing Embedded Assessments Within Engage New York ELA Instructional Materials

Engage New York ELA is designed with embedded assessments that are integral to its instructional flow. These are not typically separate tests but rather specific tasks, activities, or performance assessments built directly into the units and modules. They often come with clear rubrics or checklists.

Teachers should view these embedded tools not just as checkpoints for grading, but as critical opportunities to:

• Pinpoint Specific Skills: The design of Engage New York ELA's assessments often targets very specific ELA standards. Analyzing student performance on these tasks helps identify precisely which skills or concepts require more attention.
• Leverage Program-Specific Rubrics: The provided rubrics within the instructional materials offer explicit criteria for mastery. Using them to provide targeted feedback helps students understand what proficient work looks like and how to improve.
• Inform Reteaching Cycles: When a significant portion of students struggles with an embedded assessment, it signals a need for reteaching, perhaps using different strategies or supplementary resources. This cyclical process ensures that foundational skills are solidified before moving on.

Using Assessment Data to Refine Teaching Strategies and Inform Future Curriculum Delivery

The true power of assessment lies in the data it generates. Collecting data from both formative techniques and embedded assessments is just the first step; the crucial part is how that data is analyzed and applied to refine teaching strategies and inform future curriculum delivery.

• Analyze Trends, Not Just Scores: Look beyond individual scores to identify common misconceptions, areas where the entire class struggled, or patterns among specific student groups. For instance, if many students misinterpret figurative language in an ELA module, it highlights a need for more focused instruction on that skill.
• Differentiate Instruction: Data should drive differentiated support. Students who demonstrate mastery might benefit from enrichment activities, while those struggling can receive targeted small-group intervention or individualized reteaching. This ensures that every student receives the appropriate level of challenge and support.
• Adjust Pacing and Sequencing: Assessment data can reveal if a unit's pacing is too fast or too slow for a particular group of students. If foundational skills are not yet mastered, it might be necessary to slow down, reinforce, and then revisit concepts before moving to new curriculum.
• Iterative Curriculum Planning: Every year, teachers gain new insights from student performance. This cumulative data should inform how modules are approached in subsequent years, leading to continuous improvement in curriculum delivery. This iterative process of teach, assess, analyze, and adjust is what leads to sustainable student growth.

By strategically using assessment, teachers transform data into actionable insights, ensuring that instruction remains responsive, targeted, and highly effective for every student in the Engage New York ELA classroom.

While strategic assessment provides the vital data needed to identify areas for growth and refine instructional approaches, the true art of teaching lies in sustaining those improvements over time. It's not enough to simply react; educators must proactively cultivate an environment of continuous learning and adaptation. This section outlines essential practices for maintaining high standards and fostering long-term success with Engage New York ELA.

Sustaining Success and Best Practices for Teachers

Sustaining success in implementing Engage New York ELA requires a proactive approach that blends continuous self-improvement with collaborative learning and a commitment to staying current. For teachers navigating the complexities of this comprehensive curriculum, building resilience and adaptability is key to fostering deep, lasting student achievement.

Continuous Reflection and Adaptation of Teaching Strategies

Effective teaching is an iterative process, demanding ongoing reflection and a willingness to adapt instructional strategies. Teachers should regularly evaluate their lessons, not just in terms of student outcomes, but also in the effectiveness of their own delivery.

Consider questions such as: Which elements of the lesson resonated most with students? What challenges did they consistently face, and how could instruction be adjusted to mitigate these? Were all students sufficiently engaged?

Practical tools like a teaching journal, post-lesson self-assessments, or even brief student feedback surveys can offer invaluable insights. For instance, reflecting on how a specific scaffolding technique impacted an ELA module's comprehension for diverse learners can inform future lesson planning. This cyclical process of plan, teach, assess, reflect, and adapt ensures that teaching practices remain responsive to the unique needs of each classroom and constantly evolve for the better.

Collaboration with Fellow Teachers on Engage New York ELA Best Practices

Teaching is often more effective when it's a shared endeavor. Collaboration among educators is a powerful catalyst for professional growth and a cornerstone of sustained success in Engage New York ELA. Engaging in professional learning communities (PLCs) or even informal peer-to-peer discussions can significantly enhance instructional quality.

Consider opportunities for:

• Lesson Study: Jointly planning, teaching, and debriefing lessons within specific ELA modules.
• Peer Observation: Observing colleagues teach and offering constructive feedback, particularly on implementation of Engage NY ELA's core instructional routines.
• Shared Resources: Collaborating on supplementary materials, differentiation strategies, or assessment rubrics tailored to Engage New York ELA units.

Studies consistently show that collaborative environments foster greater teacher efficacy and can lead to improved student outcomes. Sharing insights on effective pacing, managing complex texts, or strategies for fostering robust academic discussions can empower all teachers to navigate the curriculum more effectively.

Addressing Common Classroom Implementation Challenges

Even with a robust curriculum like Engage New York ELA, teachers will inevitably encounter classroom implementation challenges. Proactive strategies are essential to overcome these hurdles and maintain instructional momentum.

Common challenges often include:

• Pacing: Managing the demanding scope and sequence of units and modules.
• Differentiation: Effectively supporting a wide range of learners, including English Language Learners (ELLs), students with disabilities, and gifted students.
• Student Engagement: Maintaining high levels of interest and participation with complex texts and tasks.
• Material Management: Organizing and utilizing the extensive instructional materials efficiently.

Solutions might involve flexible grouping strategies, leveraging technology for personalized learning paths, pre-teaching vocabulary, or integrating movement breaks and interactive activities to boost engagement. Collaborating with specialists (e.g., reading specialists, special education teachers) can also provide targeted strategies for differentiation within the Engage NY ELA framework.

Staying Updated with NYSED Guidelines and Curriculum Updates

The educational landscape is dynamic, with curriculum frameworks and state guidelines periodically evolving. For sustained success with Engage New York ELA, it is imperative for teachers to stay updated with New York State Education Department (NYSED) guidelines and any curriculum revisions. The EngageNY curriculum is rooted in the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), and understanding updates to these foundational standards, or shifts in state assessment expectations, directly impacts instructional priorities.

Teachers can stay informed by:

• Regularly visiting the EngageNY website (engageny.org), which serves as a primary hub for curriculum materials, professional development resources, and official announcements.
• Subscribing to NYSED newsletters and official communications.
• Participating in district-level professional development workshops focused on curriculum updates.
• Engaging with BOCES (Boards of Cooperative Educational Services) offerings, which often provide regional support and training on state initiatives.

Staying current ensures that instruction remains aligned with state expectations, prepares students effectively for state assessments, and allows teachers to leverage the latest resources designed to enhance teaching and learning.

So, by embracing these actionable strategies, educators can truly elevate their approach to the Engage New York ELA curriculum. Remember, success in the classroom is a continuous journey of learning and adaptation. Keep refining your methods and celebrate every student breakthrough!