3 Teachers Share Back-to-School Goals and Strategies
It’s back-to-school time across the country. Your students may already be in the swing of things, or you may be welcoming them back through the classroom doors in the coming weeks, but in either case it’s a busy stretch for schools―and one that can set educators and students up for a great year.
This month, we asked some Edmentum teachers to share what they enjoy most about the start of a new school year and how they prepare students for success. Our teachers shared insights from their experience teaching in brick-and-mortar classrooms and virtually.
What excites our teachers about the start of a new school year
Lindsay Adkins received a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education in 2016 and has been working in the education field ever since. She has experience working in a brick-and-mortar school, as well teaching online, primarily teaching students in kindergarten and first grade. This is Lindsay’s fourth year teaching with Edmentum as a Kindergarten Social Studies and Science teacher.
What Lindsay enjoys most about the beginning of a new school year:
“What I enjoy most about the beginning of a new school year is meeting and connecting with new students! It's the perfect opportunity to start building those important relationships and to set the tone for how the rest of the year will go.”
Christina Stough brings over two decades of experience to her role as a virtual teacher at EdOptions Academy. With teaching experience spanning American History, Government, Economics, and AP US History instruction, she has successfully adapted her teaching methods to meet diverse student needs in both traditional and virtual learning environments. Last year, Christina “got back into the classroom” virtually with AP US History students. Working with students in this format was one of the highlights of her school year, supporting learners to master the intricacies of AP US History expectations.
What Christina enjoys most about the beginning of a new school year:
“Even though I teach virtually, there is still the sense of ‘freshly sharpened pencils and brand new bulletin boards.’ Everything is new again, with exciting opportunities to be the bright spot in a student's educational journey.”
After earning a BBA in Accounting and Finance, Britney Martin began a career in banking, where she realized a passion for teaching financial literacy - especially to teens. Britney went back to school to earn a Master's degree in Teaching and has been teaching for 8 years. With certifications in Business and Family & Consumer Science, Britney loves teaching students skills to help them succeed in life.
What Britney enjoys most about the beginning of a new school year:
“I love the fresh energy that a new school year brings! It's a time when teachers and students can start with a clean slate. It's a great time to plan ahead and set goals for a successful year.”
What are the top keys to success for students at the start of a new school year? How do you support them?
Britney Martin: Make a plan and stay in touch with teachers
Start off strong! Make sure you are staying with or ahead of the target dates for your assignments. Make a plan and try your very best to stick to it. You can make a schedule for yourself and set a goal for the number of assignments you'll complete each week. Using a planner or calendar can help you keep track of everything.
Stay in contact with your teachers! Your teachers are here for you. Check in frequently to discuss your progress, and make sure you reach out if you need anything throughout the school year.
I'm here to help! I check in with students to help them stay on track, and I'm available to message or Zoom for additional assistance.
What goals do you have for the new school year? What strategies will you use to achieve them?
Lindsay Adkins: Incorporate discussion to build a classroom community
My main goal is to work on building a classroom community. This can sometimes be difficult in a virtual class, especially with Kinders! So, my plan is to incorporate more discussion opportunities. I would also like to implement something similar to a "show and tell" at the end of class when there's time, so students can share toys or other items they have from their homes.
Christina Stough: Generate effective feedback
My goals typically revolve around generating effective feedback for student assignments. I want to try and focus on Sem B classes at the start of the year, because when those classes launch and wrap up are generally the most frenetic time of the year.
Visit our Back-to-School page to get more information and resources to prepare your district, school, or classroom for success in 2025-26.
