In-depth with a familiar resource that has evolved into something greater and helps educators do the same.
INTERVIEW | by Victor Rivero
Since 2010, what began as a nonprofit converted to a for-profit in 2017 but stayed true to its purpose-driven roots and is now nearly a million members strong. Teaching Channel is now composed of more than what it started as. Learners Edge, Insight ADVANCE and Teaching Channel have joined forces under the Teaching Channel umbrella. And their seasoned team is comprised of over 100 experienced and practicing educators, each with a Master’s Degree (or higher) and deep expertise in their fields. Their team meticulously develops courses, drawing from seminal texts and resources to ensure the highest quality and most applicable learning for teachers. Course evaluators provide specific feedback on each course module participants complete. Teaching Channel is a division of K12 Coalition, a collective of specialized education organizations with a common mission to provide a great education for every student in every classroom every day. The company offers deep expertise in bringing solutions to the major challenges of K-12 education.
Wendy W. Amato (pictured) is the chief academic officer for K12 Coalition—Teaching Channel. She holds a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction from the University of Virginia, where she continues as an instructor in the School of Education and Human Development. Prior to her doctoral work, she served as an administrator and classroom teacher in a K–12 program. Her publications, presentations, and research interests center on culturally sustaining pedagogies and teacher formation. She also drinks a lot of coffee and plays pickleball. In this EdTech Digest exclusive, Dr. Amato is perked to the challenges of learning and infuses a spirit of play in providing informative answers.
Teaching Channel is a name that educators have known for over a decade—what should people know about it today?
What teachers and leaders have always loved about Teaching Channel—that it understands what educators need—remains our guide, and has informed the continued evolution of what we bring to support them. Teaching Channel, which now has B Corp certification, is more than just a place for teachers to watch videos of other teachers. While this is still a highly valued component of our offerings, Teaching Channel has evolved into a one-stop shop for teacher learning and development. From an online community where new teachers gain support from seasoned educators, to self-paced professional development courses designed to help teachers accelerate their earning potential, to tailored professional development focused on meeting the unique needs of a school or district, Teaching Channel provides courses and resources for educators at every stage of their teaching career. Today, people should know that we remain committed to being by and for educators, helping us all to teach for the greater good.
‘… we remain committed to being by and for educators, helping us all to teach for the greater good.’
Drilling down, what more could you tell me about the new Teaching Channel platform—what moved you to evolve and what specifically do you now provide?
Educators are resourceful, and many of us have pieced together tools that get the job done. In reality, this approach is neither efficient nor comprehensive, so Teaching Channel created the EMPOWER Platform. It’s the only professional learning product that brings together resources and tools that teachers, instructional coaches, and school and district leaders need: a library of 2,000+ exemplar videos, a district account library, calibration and self-reflection tools, collaboration and PLC support, informal and formal instructional coaching, and professional learning data and growth reporting. The Teaching Channel team works closely with district and university partners, listening to needs and consistently adding new features and updates to the EMPOWER Platform throughout the year. Districts, schools, and universities can increase the frequency of teacher observation and instructional coaching, save time and money, drive teacher growth, and make an everlasting impact, all with one platform.
The Platform eliminates the need for multiple siloed professional learning applications by bringing together features and functionality that are research-based and produce impactful growth experiences for teachers, instructional coaches, and school and district leaders. We listen when educators say, “Make it simple, easy, and effective.”
Our district partners tell us that Teaching Channel’s EMPOWER Platform has changed their culture to one of trust and growth, supporting teacher retention and student achievement. Professional learning no longer feels like it’s being done to them. Teachers are empowered to take control of their learning.
‘Professional learning no longer feels like it’s being done to them. Teachers are empowered to take control of their learning.’
What impact is Teaching Channel having in the school districts you serve?
Teaching Channel’s EMPOWER Platform is improving teacher practice, helping to retain more staff, and raising student achievement, all while improving school culture.
Marion County School District is one example of many. The district was struggling with teacher retention and was looking for a way to maintain an effective instructional coaching program that provided the necessary support for their current educators. Once superintendent, Dr. Kandace Bethea, introduced her educators to the EMPOWER Platform and ingrained the use of video into their teacher observation and peer feedback practices. Her teachers received the support they needed to grow.
Teachers need to see themselves, see one another, and get frequent feedback. The EMPOWER Platform makes this possible and becomes an invaluable resource to PLCs, instructional coaches, administrators, and—most importantly—teachers. Administrators and coaches can’t be everywhere at once, but through the use of the Platform, they can observe teachers and provide feedback on their own time, without having to navigate classroom schedules and logistics. The districts we serve recognize that video clips become a common, shared piece of evidence for both the teacher and observer to review, which has been key to teacher growth. This structure creates an environment of trust and growth, encouraging reflection rather than compliance, which is a must when it comes to fostering a positive school culture.
‘This structure creates an environment of trust and growth, encouraging reflection rather than compliance, which is a must when it comes to fostering a positive school culture.’
Teaching Channel President Michael Smith notes, “Working with schools across the nation, I’m constantly struck by the dedication and hard work happening at all levels. Bringing educators the tools and resources they need to achieve their goals is really exciting, and I love helping make a positive impact on professional learning and student outcomes.”
What need or needs are you responding to in the K-12 market?
We play a key role in addressing obstacles, but also in spotlighting what works. For example, district and school leaders know that the challenge of new teacher retention is not just a statistic on a spreadsheet; it’s a pressing reality that demands attention. Part of what makes the teacher retention issue pressing is the broad scope and profound depth of negative impact on students, families, budgets, and more. Without the ability to retain quality teachers, districts will never have the opportunity to evolve and meet the ever-changing needs of our students.
While we must address challenges in education, we must also spotlight the incredible work happening in our field. Capturing great instruction and showcasing best practices is a very real need that we help to make happen. Abstract strategies or distant philosophies can feel impractical and even unrealistic, but seeing your colleague down the hall inspiring an “a-ha” moment with students that you share can be infinitely inspiring. EMPOWER lets educators choose to share special moments with the people they select. They can annotate, share notes, ask questions, exchange resources, and become exponentially stronger because of their strengths-based sharing.
Teaching Channel is focused on supporting educators throughout their careers because we believe that every day is a great day to learn, whether you are a student or a teacher. New teachers who feel supported are more likely to be successful and therefore, more likely to stay in their classrooms. Experienced teachers also appreciate refining their skills and expanding their teacher toolkit. When districts provide professional learning throughout the educator’s lifecycle with exemplar videos, self-reflection, mentoring, coaching, and professional development courses, all teachers feel seen, and they benefit from continuity of support that helps them thrive in their chosen profession.
Where does Teaching Channel go next?
Just like the most effective school leaders, Teaching Channel works to be ahead of the technology curve. As an edtech company that interacts with hundreds of thousands of educators, we’re focused on listening for and addressing the pain points of the profession and developing tools that are easily adaptable to various learning environments and learning styles. We know the importance of an all-encompassing solution that ensures educators can quickly access what they need. Time is so precious, and we want every interaction with Teaching Channel to be valuable and productive to the individual learner.
‘As an edtech company that interacts with hundreds of thousands of educators, we’re focused on listening for and addressing the pain points of the profession and developing tools that are easily adaptable to various learning environments and learning styles.’
When we expanded our video library, we were strategic in addressing key areas of the collection. Our video additions include more school program profiles, a greater range of instructional models, a broader demographic range of teachers and of students, specific lessons that showcase the science of learning and the science of reading, and a tremendous collection of instructional coaching in action. Our resource additions include a greater menu of teacher frameworks, standards alignments, and feedback criteria.
What do you see for the future of edtech or technology and education?
Technology is not going to slow down, and we have much to gain by harnessing its power for good. We can start by asking the essential questions: How can technology be used to support teachers as they work to reach every student? How do we embrace student’s passions and allow them to flourish in learning? What are the boundaries for ethical and responsible uses? Teaching Channel believes it is important to leverage technology for instruction, teach students how to use it wisely, and use it to support and accelerate their learning. We believe that teachers gain the equivalent of a TA when they use edtech as a resource. Education needs to evolve the tried and true lesson plans of the past to empower students to think critically, communicate effectively, and feel in control of their educational journey. Educators have the responsibility to be a resource, a guide, and an encourager of student growth along each student’s unique learning journey.
When I look ahead, I see a future in which teachers’ deep understanding of quality instruction is supported (not replaced!) by technology and by the sophisticated use of emerging tools. Teaching Channel is proud to partner with teachers, schools, districts, and states to educate our nation’s most precious resource: our students.
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Victor Rivero is the Editor-in-Chief of EdTech Digest. Write to: victor@edtechdigest.com The subject of this interview, Wendy W. Amato, Chief Academic Officer for K12 Coalition—Teaching Channel, can be reached at wendy.amato@k12coalition.com.
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