We are often moved by transformative moments that stick out in our lives. A teacher who has inspired you, a lesson you remember, or a new memory of something. Each and every person can think of a profound moment that sculpted who they are today. For Tamara Letter, a technology coach in Virginia, she was transformed by Seesaw. She discovered how to truly ignite student creativity with the magic of Seesaw.
Tamara’s Story
From the beginning, Tamara knew she wanted to be an educator. She realized this in just sixth grade. Her teacher, Mrs. Dalton, had a creative way of engaging students. “When you walked into her classroom, she transformed education and transformed her learning and instruction to be something that is written about in magical stories,” Tamara recalls. Mrs. Dalton’s creative approach, from the inflatable “writing bubble” in the back of the classroom to the way she wove storytelling into her lessons, ignited a passion in Tamara that would define her own teaching career.
From this joyful start, Tamara has now been an educator for over 28 years. Furthurmore, working in multiple states and even teaching in the same district that she attended as a child. The magic she experienced in Mrs. Dalton’s class has fueled her through this journey. She always seeks to make learning more engaging and impactful for her students.
Tamara has been using Seesaw for years to recreate the creativity and storytelling that inspired her as a student. “It’s not even like a digital worksheet. Students can layer so many different things on an activity that they complete. It’s instantaneous accessable for the teacher, for families,” Tamara explains.
The power of Seesaw’s various multimedia features gives Tamara everything she needs to truly showcase authentic learning. Naturally, this is where the magic happens. “Students get to hear their own voice, they get to see value in what they’re sharing with other people and being able to explain their learning, know their thinking, thinking aloud and that visible learning.”
The impact that Seesaw has had extends beyond students. Tamara has seen how the platform has empowered teachers as well and experienced that firsthand. The ease of use for creating activities has been an absolute game-changer for her as an instructional leader. “What we’re doing in our own district is just tweaking a little bit from what someone else might do in a different district. You know, we’re still taking our state standards, but we know our kids best and we know how to differentiate for them. And sometimes we just need something that’s just close to what we need.”
With Seesaw by her side, Tamara can quickly adapt and personalize instruction to meet the unique needs of her students. This flexibility allows her to be more creative and innovative in her teaching. It enabled her to go beyond lesson planning and removing barriers for students.
The benefits that Seesaw provides Tamara don’t stop there. Tamara was surprised at how quickly feedback and communication with the platform led to actual change. “Being able to provide live, instant feedback for students as part of that activity. It was a game-changer for me because I could see right away the impact it had on students. They realized they weren’t just doing this random activity in a station to be sitting in a turn in a box. Two, that somebody was really looking at it, now, giving students the feedback to make it better.”
Through out it all, Seesaw has been a cornerstone for building a strong home-to-school connection for Tamara. “When the student turns in an activity, their parent gets it right there on their phone, and the parent can also leave feedback depending on how you have your settings set up. They’re listening to the audio feedback that their parents are giving them or that you, the teacher, is giving them.”
The Impact of Seesaw
In summary, the benefits that Seesaw has provided Tamara have been nothing but unexpected. The ease of feedback, the family engagement, and the ability to ensure that every student feels empowered and in a creative environment that she has envisioned since her time in Mrs. Dalton’s classroom. Without a doubt, her dedication to bringing a sense of wonder and empowerment to her students through Seesaw is undeniable. Impressed by the platform’s capabilities, Tamara sharing her insights with fellow educators across the world. She is truly helping to shape the future of education with Seesaw by her side.
From the inspiring creativity of Mrs. Dalton’s classroom to her current role as a technology coach, Tamara Letter’s story exemplifies how Seesaw can help recreate those transformative teaching moments that shape students’ lives. She has found a powerful tool that enables immediate feedback, fosters family engagement, and empowers students to express their learning in multiple ways. Her journey shows how the right educational technology, when implemented with passion and purpose, can help educators create those magical learning environments that students will remember for years to come, just as she remembered Mrs. Dalton’s innovative approach to teaching.
Check out Tamara’s podcast episode and more from the learning loop podcast here.
