Welcome to Digital Learning Today. In this episode, Jeff Bradbury explores the strategic systems shaping the future of education—Instructional Coaching, Artificial Intelligence, Professional Learning, and Educational Technology Trends.

Nicole Santora from Discovery Education joins the conversation to discuss student engagement in the classroom. She explores why educators lack a shared definition of engagement and the challenges teachers face in creating engaging lessons. The discussion includes insights from administrators, the role of emotional engagement, and the need for professional development. Nicole emphasizes building strong relationships with students and highlights how instructional coaches support teachers. The conversation closes with a look at future directions in education and ongoing efforts to improve student engagement.
<h2><strong>Become a High-Impact Leader:</strong></h2>
This episode is just the beginning. To get the complete blueprint for designing and implementing high-impact systems in your district, get your copy of my book, "<a href="https://www.teachercast.net/standards">Impact Standards</a>."
<ul><li><strong>Strategic Vision for Digital Learning:</strong>Learn how to create a district-wide vision that aligns digital learning with your educational goals, transforming how standards-based instruction is designed and supported.</li><li><strong>Curriculum Design and Implementation:</strong>Discover practical strategies for integrating digital learning into existing curricula, creating vertical alignment of skills, and mapping digital learning across grade levels.</li><li><strong>Effective Instructional Coaching:</strong>Master the art of coaching people rather than technology, building relationships that drive success, and measuring impact through student engagement rather than just technology usage.</li></ul><br/>
Purchase your copy of “<a href="https://www.teachercast.net/standards">Impact Standards</a>” on Amazon today!
<h2><strong>Key Takeaways:</strong></h2>
<ul><li>Educators lack a shared definition of student engagement.</li><li>Engagement sits at the heart of education today.</li><li>Teaching is one of the most challenging professions.</li><li>Emotional engagement is essential for effective learning.</li><li>Fewer than half of students feel engaged in school.</li><li>Learning is inherently messy and takes time.</li><li>Strong student relationships are the foundation of engagement.</li><li>Ongoing professional development helps teachers refine their practice.</li><li>Instructional coaches are key to supporting teacher growth.</li><li>Teachers need space to experiment and develop their skills.</li></ul><br/>
<h2><strong>Chapters:</strong></h2>
<ul><li>00:00 Introduction to Student Engagement</li><li>00:58 Insights from Discovery Education</li><li>01:13 Introduction to Student Engagement</li><li>03:51 Defining Student Engagement</li><li>06:44 Challenges in Classroom Engagement</li><li>09:37 Insights from Administrators</li><li>12:59 The Role of Emotional Engagement</li><li>15:54 Generational Perspectives on Engagement</li><li>18:45 Professional Development for Teachers</li><li>21:49 Strategies for Instructional Coaches</li><li>24:40 Collaboration and Classroom Dynamics</li><li>27:48 The Importance of Learning in the Classroom</li><li>30:45 Conclusion and Resources</li></ul><br/>
<h2><strong>Resources Mentioned in This Episode:</strong></h2>
<ul><li><a href="https://www.discoveryeducation.com/education-insights/">https://www.discoveryeducation.com/education-insights/</a></li></ul><br/>
<h2><strong>About our Guest:</strong> Nicole Santora</h2>
Nicole Santora is Discovery Education’s Instructional Strategy Director, where she serves as an instructional leader and systems strategist dedicated to advancing equitable learning outcomes through evidence-based design, professional learning, and cross-functional collaboration.

She specializes in upholding instructional integrity across products, programs, and district partnerships—translating learning sciences and research into scalable systems of practice. At Discovery Education, Nicole leads the alignment of curriculum and product design to ensure coherence, quality, and impact across the company’s K–12 portfolio.

Grounded in her early experience building and leading schools as an educator and instructional leader, Nicole’s work in New York City included developing network-wide inquiry cycles, coaching instructional leaders, and designing cross-content frameworks that integrated accessible design principles to strengthen instructional capacity and coherence across schools. She now brings this systems-level perspective into the edtech space, ensuring that digital learning experiences reflect the same instructional integrity, coherence, and equity found in the most effective classrooms.
<h2>About Discovery Education</h2>
Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art, PreK-12, digital solutions help educators engage all students and support higher academic achievement. Through award-winning multimedia content, instructional supports, and innovative classroom tools that are effective, engaging, and easy to use, Discovery Education helps educators deliver powerful learning experiences. Discovery Education serves approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, and its resources are accessed in over 100 countries and territories. Through partnerships with districts, states, and trusted organizations, Discovery Education empowers teachers with essential edtech solutions that inspire curiosity, build confidence, and accelerate learning. Learn more at <a href="http://www.discoveryeducation.com">www.discoveryeducation.com</a>.
<h3>Links of Interest</h3>
<ul><li>Website:<a href="http://www.discovereducation.com/">www.discovereducation.com</a></li><li>Twitter:<a href="https://twitter.com/discoveryed">https://twitter.com/discoveryed</a></li><li>Facebook:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/discoveryed">https://www.facebook.com/discoveryed</a></li><li>LinkedIn:<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/discoveryed">https://www.linkedin.com/company/discoveryed</a></li><li>YouTube:<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/DiscoveryEducation">https://www.youtube.com/user/DiscoveryEducation</a></li></ul><br/>
<h2><strong>Let’s Work Together</strong></h2>
<ul><li>Contact Me Today:<a href="https://www.teachercast.net/contact">https://www.teachercast.net/contact</a></li></ul><br/>
<h2>Follow on Social Media</h2>
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<h2>Subscribe to This Podcast</h2>
<ul><li>Apple Podcasts:<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/digital-learning-today/id546631310">https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/digital-learning-today/id546631310</a></li><li>Spotify:<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0n6S0WcyzQ1rpKWJ8iZPLJ?si=a1227a7c5e0b48e4">https://open.spotify.com/show/0n6S0WcyzQ1rpKWJ8iZPLJ?si=a1227a7c5e0b48e4</a></li></ul><br/>
<h2>Check Out Additional TeacherCast Programming</h2>
<ul><li>Digital Learning Today:<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/digital-learning-today/id546631310">https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/digital-learning-today/id546631310</a></li><li>Ask the Tech Coach:<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ask-the-tech-coach/id1067586243">https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ask-the-tech-coach/id1067586243</a></li><li>The Jeff Bradbury Show<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-jeff-bradbury-show/id519685828">https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-jeff-bradbury-show/id519685828</a></li></ul><br/>
<h2>Book Jeff for your Next Event</h2>
Jeff Bradbury (ISTE “20 to Watch” Award Winner and ISTE Certified Educator) is available for keynote speaking, workshop facilitation, and live event broadcasting. With expertise in educational technology and professional development, Jeff brings engaging content and practical strategies to conferences and professional learning events.
<ul><li>Visit Jeff’s Website:<a href="https://jeffreybradbury.com">https://jeffreybradbury.com</a></li><li>Contact Jeff Directly:<a href="https://jeffreybradbury.com/contact/">https://jeffreybradbury.com/contact/</a></li></ul><br/>
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