💡 Tech Tools That Changed My Classroom

1. Why Technology Was a Game-Changer for My Students

In my classroom, I teach ESL learners, neurodiverse students, and early readers—all of whom bring amazing strengths, but also face unique challenges when accessing content. The language barrier. The overstimulation. The pressure to perform. Technology gave them a voice and a sense of control. Tools like immersive readers, visual supports, and storytelling apps created space where their ideas—not their limitations—took center stage. Tech didn’t ‘fix’ them—it gave them a platform.

2. My Guiding Principle: Tech Should Amplify, Not Replace

One phrase I live by as a teacher is this: "Tech doesn’t replace the teacher—it amplifies the learner." That mindset grounds every EdTech decision I make. I never reach for tools because they’re trendy; I choose tools that solve problems or create equity. When tech extends access, encourages risk-taking, or supports multiple means of expression—that’s when it belongs in the lesson. That’s when it makes the difference.

3. Everyday Tools that Make a Difference

Some tools became classroom staples because of their simplicity, accessibility, and big impact on student expression and engagement.

Microsoft Immersive Reader helps my students—especially ELLs and those with ASD—decode complex texts, listen to passages aloud, and even translate content. It's a confidence-builder that supports both independence and comprehension.

Canva for Educators is my creative outlet and a student favorite. I use it to build anchor charts, visual routines, and student-led posters. My students create digital storyboards and vocabulary visuals, expressing themselves in ways words alone can’t always capture.

Book Creator allows students to build multimedia books with images, text, and voice recordings. It’s a safe space for storytelling and personal reflection, particularly helpful for learners who process the world through visuals and sounds.

Wordwall.net and Blooket add fun and energy to language practice and review. I use Wordwall weekly to reinforce spelling patterns and sentence structure. Blooket? It’s my go-to for low-stakes comprehension checks where students drive their own learning through play.

4. One Tool, Many Entry Points: Microsoft PowerPoint

This might surprise some, but my most versatile tool is still Microsoft PowerPoint. My background in law and project management gave me strong presentation chops, and I’ve reimagined that skill set for the classroom.

I use PowerPoint not just for presenting lessons, but for creating interactive visual routines, anchor charts, and storytelling slides. I build choice boards, clickable visuals, and even step-by-step behavior supports. It’s my digital Swiss Army knife—familiar, flexible, and incredibly effective.

5. Tech is Not One-Size-Fits-All: Differentiation in Action

Every learner processes information differently. That’s why I embed tech tools into my rotation models, learning centers, and whole-group lessons. Sometimes students pair up at a tech station using Immersive Reader. Other times, they build visual stories in Book Creator during writing time.

By offering multiple entry points—drawing, typing, speaking—I meet students where they are. Tech allows me to differentiate content without singling students out. Instead of asking, “Can this student keep up?” I ask, “How can I help this student shine?”

6. Lessons I’ve Learned Along the Way

One of the biggest lessons technology has taught me is to stay flexible. Sometimes tools don’t work. Sometimes students resist. But over time, I’ve seen the value of letting go of perfection. My job isn’t to be the tech expert—it’s to make space for student voice, however it shows up.

I’ve also learned to invite student feedback. They’re often the ones who find new ways to use a tool or suggest a feature I hadn’t noticed. The classroom is a shared space, and tech helps me co-create that space with my learners.

7. Tips for Teachers Just Starting Out

• Start small. Pick one tool (like Wordwall or Immersive Reader) and use it consistently.

• Set expectations. Make tech use part of your class norms and routines.

• Empower tech leaders. Assign “tech helpers” to troubleshoot and support peers.

• Balance is key. Not every lesson needs a screen—just intentionality.

• Stay curious. Don’t worry about mastering everything. Learn alongside your students.

Conclusion: From Project Manager to Empowered Educator

My journey from managing engineering teams to managing a classroom may seem like a leap, but it’s all about connection, communication, and designing for success. EdTech didn’t just change my classroom—it changed how I see my students, and how they see themselves.

If you believe every student deserves to be heard, seen, and supported—then trust that there’s a tech tool out there waiting to help you make it happen.