S1:E8 - Teaching Through Integrated Pathways w/ Megan Diede and Kara Rigsby
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S1:E8 - Teaching Through Integrated Pathways w/ Megan Diede and Kara Rigsby

In this episode, Jordan speaks with Megan and Kara from IntegratED about how frustration in their own classrooms sparked a powerful shift in teaching practice. They share their journey of reimagining instruction through “Integrated Pathways”—seven dynamic methods that empower both educators and students. From hands-on learning to storytelling and visual arts, they outline a framework that helps teachers engage every learner, without adding more to their plates. Whether you’re a new teacher or a veteran, you’ll leave this episode with strategies to spark student growth and your own professional joy.

🔑 Key Takeaways:
✔️ Integrated teaching is about more than combining content—it’s about connecting with students in meaningful, lasting ways.
✔️ Student engagement must be prioritized over mere compliance or memorization.
✔️ All learners deserve multiple, accessible pathways to understanding, no matter their age or ability.
✔️ Instructional experiences don’t need to be elaborate to be impactful—simple strategies can spark transformation.
✔️ Real-time classroom feedback and purposeful planning fuel lasting growth for both students and educators.

💬 Memorable Quotes
🗣️ “Activities are transactional. Experiences are transformational.” – Steve Spangler
🗣️ “The definition of experience includes the word knowledge—so why wouldn’t we use them in education?” – Kara Rigsby
🗣️ “We weren’t ready to walk away… so we asked, What if we just taught differently?” – Megan Diede

🧠 Strategies You’ll Learn
  • Integrated Frameworks: How to combine existing standards across subjects into a unified, purposeful experience.
  • Pathways to Learning: Techniques to deliver content using multiple modes:
    • Movement
    • Music
    • Storytelling
    • Visual Arts
    • Hands-On Learning
    • Technology
    • Auditory Learning
  • Assessment Reinvented: How to use creative student outputs as authentic assessments.
  • Small Shifts, Big Results: Implementing “mini-experiences” like student-led storytelling or simple measurement activities to increase engagement.

👁️‍🗨️ Additional Practices:
  • Reflect after each lesson: How did students access the information today?
  • Start small: Use visual aids, manipulatives, or peer teaching as entry points into integrated learning.
  • Engage with your students’ strengths: Let them show what they know through art, movement, or story.
  • Use pathways as differentiation tools—not all students need the same access route to learning.
📚 Resources & Links:
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