“A piece of the puzzle”: How Blue Valley teachers are using data to support the whole student

Bright splashes of paint, scraps of construction paper and bits of cardboard scattered across the floor — it might look like the aftermath of an art project. But step into Melissa Molde’s science classroom, and you’ll quickly realize this creative chaos is all part of her data-driven approach to teaching.  

Molde’s students have been busy crafting arcade games inspired by the human body.Balancing data-driven instruction with the need for creativity, Molde, a seventh-grade teacher at Aubry Bend Middle, has crafted projects that keep students engaged while supporting their success in the classroom. 

“As we grouped students, we looked at their mastery performance from their independent work to see where they could grow the most with a deeper dive through the project,” Molde said. “After the project wraps, we use post-assessment data for remedial learning.”

Assessments like these help Molde tailor her instruction, identify topics where students need additional support and gather data that shows an understanding of the material. Molde incorporates these elements seamlessly into her teaching through a “station rotation” approach. By guiding students through different stations and using data from the assignments collected, Molde effectively drives small-group remediation while allowing other students to progress independently through their stations. 

“Kids in my class are used to a very ‘hands-on’ experience, and we switch their groups so frequently based on performance that they truly just think it’s part of how labs and stations work,” said Molde. 

“Kids in my class are used to a very ‘hands-on’ experience, and we switch their groups so frequently based on performance that they truly just think it’s part of how labs and stations work,” said Molde. 

While Molde uses data to foster creativity and mastery in her classroom, the focus on data begins much earlier in students’ academic journeys.

Educators at every level, from kindergarten to 12th grade, use data to inform their teaching. Having the time to analyze and leverage this data allows them to create customized plans that help meet students where they are, leading to academic success in their educational journey.

On one of the district’s planned teacher professional collaboration days, the kindergarten pod at Harmony Elementary is a hub for activity–curriculum resources sprawled across tables, laptops open to review test scores and the kindergarten team–including Rachael Eisenmenger, Kate Fletcher, Michelle Huffman, Macey Lewin, Stephanie Tallent–are huddled together, focused on improving the academic success of their students. 

“[Data] drives our instruction,” Eisenmenger said. “We take that information, and we make small groups or pivot whole group lessons.”

Data enables teachers to adapt their instruction, ensuring each student receives targeted support to grow.

“I can truly see where kids' strengths and weaknesses are,” Lewin said. “I can really tailor each small group to that group of students and what they need.”

These tailored approaches have led to notable improvements, with students mastering complex concepts while staying engaged and motivated.

“We’re all very good about making it a huge positive thing to show off,” Tallent said. “We don’t ever want it to be stressful for them. It’s their time to shine.”

Data is a powerful tool that guides instruction and supports students across the district. But it’s not what defines them. At the heart of every decision is the understanding that students are more than numbers – they’re curious learners, creative thinkers and individuals with limitless potential.