As AI reshapes education, new global research reveals what truly drives teacher success—and why keeping educators at the center is the key to sustainable innovation.
GUEST COLUMN | by Juliana Finegan
KHOTIMATUZ ZAHRO
School leaders are grappling with how to integrate AI. Teacher retention is at crisis levels. Leaders are being asked to do more with less while ensuring schools remain safe, connected, and effective. Against this backdrop, our company’s 2025 Global Teacher Insights Report offers clarity on: What really makes teachers feel successful?
‘85% of teachers said that active student engagement and strong teacher-student relationships are most important, ranking ahead of classroom management and even instructional confidence.’
According to the international study of 1,750 educators across Australia, New Zealand, England, and the U.S., the answer is both more universal and more surprising than many might expect.
- 85% of teachers said that active student engagement and strong teacher-student relationships are most important, ranking ahead of classroom management and even instructional confidence.
- 63% tied their success to seeing visible student progress underscoring that teachers define success by improvement and momentum, not just test scores.
- For novice teachers especially, classroom management outweighed everything else—even strong instruction or meaningful relationships.
- Four key drivers reveal where school leaders should focus their tech strategy: teacher-student connection, active student engagement, effective classroom management, and high-quality instruction.
Perhaps most striking: Even when teachers felt individually successful, they may not stay in their schools unless they also felt a sense of connection to the broader community.
Why These Findings Matter in the Age of AI
AI will continue to accelerate. Education leaders have a critical choice: guide that acceleration with teachers at the center or risk widening the gap between tools and teaching.
The research underscores that innovation only sticks when teachers feel supported. If we want teachers to embrace AI, we must first ensure they feel successful and confident in their classrooms. Personalized professional development, collaborative communities, and tools that amplify teacher capacity are not “nice to haves”—they are essential.
The risk is clear: In the rush to innovate, we could sideline the very people who make learning possible.
The Confidence Catalyst
There’s an important distinction between being successful and feeling successful. Our company’s research with FullScale shows that feeling successful is the catalyst that fuels growth.
When teachers feel confident and capable, they are:
- More likely to experiment with new tools.
- More willing to “fail forward” and iterate.
- More open to innovation in their practice.
In other words, feeling successful builds the very mindset needed to thrive in a time of disruption and transformation.
From Research to Roadmap
For decision-makers, the takeaway is clear: choose technology that amplifies teacher capacity and strengthens connection.
That’s where technology solutions come in—turning every screen into a hub for learning, communication, and safety. With wireless screen mirroring, digital signage, video announcements, and emergency alerts – the right technology can keep students engaged, teachers empowered, and schools connected.
Already used in 160,000+ classrooms worldwide, our technology is inherently aligned to the four key drivers with users reporting the highest confidence rankings across every measure of self-efficacy.
The results are measurable:
- 97% say it strengthens teacher–student connection—the #1 success factor
- 96% report higher productivity, freeing focus for classroom management
- 93% see stronger schoolwide community and culture
- 92% note increased active student engagement – driving student-driven learning
Building for the Future
In short: The path forward isn’t choosing between AI and teachers—it’s ensuring teachers feel successful in the moments that matter most: teaching, connecting, and inspiring. By centering their voices and keeping humans first, leaders can create the conditions for innovation to thrive.
Read the full 2025 Global Teacher Insights Report from FullScale, conducted in partnership with Vivi.
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FullScale (formerly The Learning Accelerator), is a national K-12 education nonprofit committed to bringing education leaders and organizations together to build collective learning, action, and systems transformation.
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Juliana Finegan, VP of Educator Experience at Vivi, is a former Title 1 teacher, TFA alum, and nonprofit leader with 20 years in education. She specializes in blended learning, professional development, and equity-driven edtech, helping schools and districts create more engaging, inclusive learning experiences. Connect with Juliana on LinkedIn.
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