I Wish My Teacher Knew: What Students Want and Small Shifts That Matter

Have you ever overheard graduating students talking about what they wish their teachers had done differently? What would happen if we actually asked them? This session shares the results of a district survey that asked students one question: What do you wish your teachers knew? Their responses were honest, insightful and sometimes surprising. Explore how that feedback connects to Gen Z brain science and classroom engagement research, revealing why small shifts in instruction, communication, pacing and participation matter so much to students today. Through edtech strategies, digital tools and practical classroom examples, discover realistic changes students genuinely notice, including strategies you may already use and can strengthen or apply more intentionally. Students were not let off the hook, either: they also shared what they wish they had done differently and which skills they wish they had learned before leaving school. This is not about reinventing your teaching overnight. Leave with links, tools, resources and practical ideas you can implement the very next day to create meaningful impact.