How to Utilize Teaching Skills

🌟 TEACHING SMARTER WITH QUESTIONS: How to Use Bloom’s Taxonomy Question Wheel in Classrooms As teachers, we ask questions every day, but not all questions are created equal. The Bloom’s Taxonomy Question Wheel isn’t just a colourful poster. It’s a powerful tool to help teachers ask better questions, build higher-order thinking, and promote learner independence. Here’s how you can use this wheel meaningfully in your teaching: 1. Plan Your Questions Intentionally When designing your lesson, you can choose 2 - 3 questions from the wheel that match your objective. Early in the lesson? Use Remember or Understand prompts: “What do you know about...?” / “Can you explain why...?” During practice or discussion? Use Apply or Analyze: “What would you do in this situation?” / “What patterns can you see?” For assessment or reflection? Try, Evaluate, and Create: “What would you recommend?” / “Can you design a solution?” ✔ This helps you differentiate and ensures all students are stretched appropriately. 2. Teach Students to Use the Questions Turn the wheel into a tool for students, not just for you. Introduce one colour/level at a time and model how to ask and answer questions. Encourage students to use the prompts during group work or peer feedback. Provide mini wheels on tables so students can choose a question during discussions or project reflections. 💡 Example: In a science lesson, instead of “What did we learn today?”, ask: “Can you explain how this connects to real life?” or “What would you improve in your design?” 3. Use It for Formative Assessment The wheel pairs perfectly with Assessment for Learning strategies: Use different levels of questions to check understanding throughout the lesson. Combine with Think-Pair-Share, Exit Tickets, or Traffic Lights to deepen metacognition. Ask students to self-assess by choosing the level they feel confident in after a task. 🎯 This not only shows you where students are but teaches them to think about their own thinking. ✨ Final Thought A good question doesn’t only check for the right answers but also opens up possibilities. When students start asking each other questions from the wheel, you’ll know you’ve built a classroom that values thinking, not just answers. Image Source: Twinkl #BloomsTaxonomy #FormativeAssessment #QuestioningInClass #ScaffoldedLearning #TeacherTools #LinhLeELT #AssessmentForLearning #InstructionalStrategies

#Why Teachers Should Understand Students' Brains 1. Enhances Teaching Strategies -Knowing how memory works helps teachers plan effective repetition and retrieval practice. -Understanding attention span helps in lesson pacing and transitions. 2. Supports Individual Differences -Every brain is wired differently—teachers who understand this are better equipped to differentiate instruction. 3. Improves Behavior Management -Knowledge of brain development helps teachers understand impulsive behavior, emotional regulation, and respond with empathy. 4. Boosts Motivation and Engagement -Understanding dopamine and reward systems helps teachers use praise, feedback, and goal-setting more effectively. 5. Promotes Social-Emotional Learning -Teachers who understand the amygdala’s role in stress and anxiety can create safer, calmer classroom environments. 🧩 Key Brain Concepts Teachers Should Know (in points) #Neuroplasticity The brain can change and grow with experience. Teaching implication: Encourage a growth mindset and give students opportunities to learn through practice and feedback. #Working Memory This is the brain’s temporary storage space used for problem-solving and learning. Teaching implication: Avoid overwhelming students with too much information at once; present content in small, manageable chunks. #Long-Term Memory This is where knowledge is stored permanently. Teaching implication: Use repetition, connections, real-life examples, and storytelling to help information stick. #Executive Functions These include skills like planning, focusing, and self-control. Teaching implication: Help students develop routines, organize their tasks, and manage their time effectively. #Reward System The brain is motivated by rewards like praise and success. Teaching implication: Use positive reinforcement, gamification, and goal-setting to keep students engaged. #How Teachers Can Apply Brain Science in the Classroom 🎯 Use Retrieval Practice: Ask questions that make students recall information (e.g., mini quizzes, exit tickets). 🕒 Spacing Effect: Review material over days/weeks, not just once. 🧱 Scaffold Learning: Break down tasks into manageable parts to avoid cognitive overload. 🧘♀️ Regulate Emotion: Start class with calm routines; teach mindfulness or breathing for anxious students. 👯 Use Collaboration: Peer learning taps into social brain networks. 🎨 Make it Visual: The brain processes visuals faster than text (diagrams, mind maps, color coding).

Evidence-based teaching strategies empower educators to design lessons that are both purposeful and impactful, grounded in research that supports student achievement and equity. By incorporating practices like scaffolding, modeling, and frequent checks for understanding, teachers can anticipate learning barriers and proactively address them, ensuring all students remain engaged and supported. Preparation becomes a form of advocacy when educators review prior learning, break down new material into manageable steps, and plan for guided and independent practice, they create a roadmap that builds confidence and retention. Effective communication and clear direction foster trust, reduce cognitive overload, and allow students to focus on meaning-making rather than guesswork. To best prepare, educators can start by identifying lesson objectives, mapping out scaffolds, scripting key questions, and rehearsing transitions that support flow and clarity. These intentional moves transform classrooms into inclusive, enriching environments where every learner feels seen, capable, and connected. 🧭 Steps for Strategic Preparation 1. Clarify the Learning Objective: Start with what students should know or be able to do. Use verbs from Bloom’s taxonomy to guide the level of rigor. 2. Map the Learning Sequence: Break the lesson into digestible chunks review, model, guided practice, independent practice, and reflection. 3. Design Scaffolds and Supports: Prepare visuals, sentence starters, anchor charts, or manipulatives that help all learners access the content. 4. Script Key Questions and Prompts: Plan open-ended questions that connect new material to prior learning and encourage metacognition. 5. Plan for Checks and Feedback: Decide when and how you’ll assess understanding thumbs up/down, exit tickets, think-pair-share, etc. 6. Rehearse Transitions and Timing: Practice how you’ll move between activities, manage materials, and maintain momentum. #TeachWithIntent

“I want to work in industry post-PhD, so is it worth teaching at all?” I get this question from PhD students who see teaching as a distraction from research. I understand the logic. If you are planning an industry career, why spend time grading papers and preparing lectures? Here is what I learned after years of teaching: Those classroom skills translate directly to industry success. Teaching forced me to develop abilities I never knew I needed: Reading the room — You learn to spot confusion instantly. When a student’s eyes glaze over, you know your explanation is not working. In industry meetings, this skill helps you adjust your message in real-time. Speaking to non-technical audiences — Teaching 101 courses means explaining complex concepts to students from every background imaginable. Business majors, pre-med students, liberal arts majors. You cannot rely on jargon or assume prior knowledge. This prepares you perfectly for explaining your work to executives, stakeholders, and cross-functional teams. Adapting and pivoting on the spot — When your carefully planned lecture is not landing, you have to switch approaches mid-sentence. Industry work requires the same flexibility when your presentation strategy needs to change based on audience reaction. Some of us had to teach as part of our fellowships. But even if I had not been required to teach, I would recommend it for the transferable skills alone. The ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, read your audience, and adapt your approach? These are not just teaching skills. They are leadership skills. PhD students considering industry careers: Do not underestimate the classroom as training ground for your future role. What unexpected skills from academia have served you best in industry? More PhD insights coming next Thursday! Hit follow + 🔔 to join the journey! #PhDHindsight

Let’s break down an underrated skills teachers bring to the table: 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 = 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽. Think about it: ✔️ You manage 30+ unique personalities every single day ✔️ You set expectations, resolve conflicts, and coach behavior ✔️ You lead with empathy and hold boundaries with consistency ✔️ You adapt your leadership style based on the group or situation ✔️ You build trust, create culture, and motivate performance ✔️ You drive outcomes without formal authority (hello, influence!) This is what people leaders do across teams, roles, and industries. You’re not “starting from scratch.” You’re already a 𝗽𝗿𝗼 at leading humans through challenge, growth, and collaboration. 📊 Need to measure it? Start tracking: • 𝘉𝘦𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘳 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 • 𝘚𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘨𝘰𝘢𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 • 𝘌𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘴 (𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘚𝘌𝘓 𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘴) • 𝘗𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘢𝘥𝘮𝘪𝘯, 𝘰𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘨𝘶𝘦𝘴 • 𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘵 𝘴𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘴 𝘰𝘳 𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘥 🔥 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: Stop underselling this. “𝘾𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙧𝙤𝙤𝙢 𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩” isn’t just about keeping kids quiet, it’s about creating a functional system where people can thrive. That’s leadership. So, tell me what’s one leadership win you’ve had in the classroom that deserves more credit? Drop it in the comments. Let’s give it the spotlight it deserves. #TransferableTuesday #TeacherTransition #LeadershipSkills #CareerPivot #FromClassroomToCorporate #TeacherTransition #TransferableSkills #CareerPivot #LifeAfterTeaching #EdXit #FormerEducator #TransitionedTeacher

Are you a teacher considering a career change but unsure how your skills translate to other industries? 𝑌𝑜𝑢'𝑟𝑒 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑒! Let’s break down how your skills can open doors to new opportunities. 𝟏. 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 As a teacher, your ability to explain complex concepts in an understandable way is incredibly valuable in corporate training, customer service, and sales, where clear communication and addressing client needs are essential. 𝟐. 𝐎𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 Managing a classroom requires top-notch organizational skills, which translate well into project management and administrative roles, where organizing tasks, resources, and timelines, as well as handling multiple responsibilities, are essential. 𝟑. 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦-𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 Teachers constantly solve problems by engaging students, addressing behavioral issues, and adapting lesson plans to diverse needs. This problem-solving ability is ideal for consulting roles, where you help businesses overcome challenges, and tech roles like user experience design, where creating solutions to meet user needs is essential. 𝟒. 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 In the classroom, teachers lead by example, inspire students, and take on additional responsibilities such as mentoring new teachers or leading school committees, making their leadership experience highly transferable to management positions in various industries and nonprofit organizations where motivating and guiding a team, as well as community-building, are crucial. 𝟓. 𝐀𝐝𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 Education is a dynamic field that requires teachers to adapt to new curricula, technologies, and diverse student needs, making their adaptability highly valued in fast-paced industries like tech and start-up environments where flexibility and quick thinking are key to success. - - - - - - - Let’s take my friend Gretchen Johanson, Learning Experience Designer , for example, a former school teacher who successfully transitioned into an instructional designer role. She used her creativity from years of explaining complex topics to design engaging training programs for corporate organizations. Her organizational skills helped her manage multiple projects and meet tight deadlines. Today, Gretchen thrives in her new role, where her teaching experience enables her to create effective learning solutions and drive measurable change. 𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝑺𝒌𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒔 𝑨𝒓𝒆 𝑽𝒂𝒍𝒖𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 Transitioning to a new career can feel daunting, but remember that your experience as a teacher has equipped you with a unique and powerful skill set. If you’re feeling uncertain about your next steps, 𝒍𝒆𝒕’𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒄𝒕and explore how you can leverage your skills for a successful transition. Your journey from the classroom to a new career starts with recognizing the value you already bring to the table. #CareerChange #TransferableSkills #TeachersWhoLead #TeacherTransition #NewCareerOpportunities #SkillsForSuccess #LeavingtheClassroom

“So…how does teaching connect to what you do now?” 🤔 I get this question a lot. And honestly? Teaching connects to EVERYTHING. Teachers aren't just good at standing in front of a classroom. We're communicators, problem-solvers, and relationship-builders who've been trained in one of the most complex environments there is. Here's what I carried with me from over 15 years in the classroom: 🧩 I can explain complex ideas in ways that actually make sense. Whether it's a new software feature or a curriculum framework, I know how to break it down so it clicks. 🎤 I'm comfortable presenting to any audience. Five people or five hundred, doesn’t matter to me! I've learned to read the room and adjust in real time. 🌱 I build relationships quickly. Trust matters. Whether it's with students, colleagues, or clients, I know how to connect and collaborate. In fact, it’s one of my favorite things to do! 🦎 I adapt on the fly. Plans change. Needs shift. I've had years of practice pivoting without missing a beat (shout out to all the fellow teachers that taught through COVID😷!) 🧠I understand how people learn. Not just in theory—in practice. I know what makes something stick and what makes people tune out (and I love figuring it out!) These skills have shaped every role I've taken on since leaving the classroom: curriculum development, professional learning facilitation, customer success, and learning design in EdTech. Teaching isn't just a chapter of my story. It's the foundation of everything I do. How do you relate skills from your previous roles to what you do now?

As an educator, you already know that understanding your students' needs is the key to effective learning. You’ve spent years adapting your materials and teaching methods to ensure every student has what they need to succeed. This skill is invaluable in the world of Instructional Design! 🙌🏼 Here’s how your experience as a teacher directly translates to designing for diverse learners in the corporate world: Understanding Learner Needs = Tailoring Content to Specific Goals As a teacher, you’re constantly assessing what your students know and adjusting your lessons to meet their needs. In ID, we do the same thing by understanding the learners' baseline knowledge, performance gaps, and learning objectives. By analyzing the audience, we ensure the training materials are relevant and accessible for all. Differentiating Instruction = Designing for Diverse Learner Groups In the classroom, you differentiate instruction to support a wide range of learning styles. As an instructional designer, you’ll use similar strategies to create inclusive training programs for various learner types – whether it’s employees in a call center or executives in a leadership program. You’ll make sure the content resonates with everyone! Adapting to Feedback = Iterating on Learning Materials You’ve probably adapted your lessons based on feedback from students. In ID, we apply the same principle by iterating on course materials based on learner feedback and assessment results. This ensures the training is always improving and meeting its goals. As a teacher, you’ve already mastered the art of designing for diverse learners. Now, you get to take those skills and use them to create impactful learning experiences for different groups in the corporate world. 🙌🏼

Teaching Tips I learned from others in my career, and now pass on. These are good-old F2F tips, but still relevant in today's digital environment. Will work in any class, but particularly so in dialogic sessions like case study discussions. Of course, however, personalise to who you are. Not everything will work for everyone. 1. Be in the class 10 minutes before the start. It is important for students to know that you are there and involved. 2. Two minutes before the start, distance yourself from the props and move front and centre into the speaking area of the class. This will signal that the informal setting-up/break time is coming to an end. 3. Ten seconds before the start, look at the clock in the class or your watch. This will signal that we are now entering formal class time, which is an agreed-upon social contract by all, to be respected. 4. Having started exactly on time in stentorian fashion, within 2-3 minutes become witty. Get the class to laugh out aloud within the first 5 minutes of class. It will set a positive tone and, as a bonus, wake up the non-participants and snoozers in FOMO. 5. Conduct your classes at a fast clip. This will keep students interested and not looking at the time, and will avoid lulls. 6. But at the same time, pauses are also very important. For instance, it is always good to pause after the word “because,” because students will feel the awkward silence and be reminded of their obligation to participate. 7. When a student is making a point, while still listening, move away towards the other end of the room. This will make them to project their voice and that will engage the rest of the class in the conversation. 8. Never let anyone ramble. Other students get aggravated by rambling responses. Classroom Airtime is a scarce and valuable resource – treat it like one. 9. Get students to switch role-playing perspectives mid-stream. This brings out biases and helps students see the other point of view. 10. Close with a high-level summary. "let’s try to finish today's session with a clear sense of what business situations are indications that a price war might follow.” Happy teaching!

#TransitioningTeachers: Most of you believe leaving teaching is starting over. That completely false. The real problem isn’t lack of experience. It’s not knowing where that experience fits. Here’s how to find out: Write down 3 things you handled well at work this year. For each one, name the skill that made it happen. Look for patterns. Those are clues. For example: -- Designed a unit that helped struggling students master complex concepts. Skills: Instructional design. Differentiation. Learner-centric planning. → Career Path: Learning & Development (Corporate Training) -- Maintained long-term relationships with tough parents and got them on board. Skills: Relationship management. Empathy. Client communication. → Career Path: Customer Success -- Coordinated a multi-class field trip with logistics, timing, and risk management. Skills: Planning. Cross-functional coordination. Operational thinking. → Career Path: Project Management Your already have the skills. You just need the right path. That’s what I help with at Elevated Careers. 👇 Curious what roles could fit your skills? Drop your top skills below and I can help you out. ------------------ 😎 Heyo- I'm Stephanie Yesil. Follow me for more battle-tested teacher transition advice. While you're at it, visit my website to get lots of free stuff: https://lnkd.in/e35fXYCb