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“TCI removes the burden of figuring out how to teach tough topics. It gives teachers a foundation and the flexibility to bring history to life in ways that are inclusive, current, and engaging.”Dr. Rayna Freedman |
At Jordan Jackson Elementary School in Mansfield, Massachusetts, fifth-grade teacher and curriculum leader Dr. Rayna Freedman has built her teaching career around innovation and hands-on learning. With 26 years of experience in the classroom, Rayna is recognized not only for her leadership in education technology but also for her ability to inspire deep engagement in her students through inquiry-based learning.
When her school looked to enhance its social studies program, Rayna helped lead the transition to Teacher’s Curriculum Institute’s (TCI) latest edition, which includes consumable student journals and an online platform. This upgrade replaced the old blue hardcover TCI books the school had used for many years.
“I actually was part of the team that brought TCI here, even though we were using it before you upgraded it on steroids. I have no other way to put it—it’s awesome.”
The transition was seamless because the district was already familiar with TCI, making budget approvals easier than starting a new program.
“There were 4 or 5 of us on the team, including special education and regular education teachers, who piloted the new edition. And with a resounding yes, we all wanted the program,” she explained.
“So it happened pretty quickly over the course of a year versus years of looking at things, because all we had to do was just upgrade.”
Since implementing TCI, Rayna’s class has embraced the program’s hands-on, discussion-driven approach. From debates where students take on roles from the American Revolution to creative projects that connect historic ideas to modern issues, students are learning to think critically and creatively about history.
When students began discussing why the Declaration of Independence was signed by only “three white men” in an image from their TCI text, it led to a powerful dialogue about representation and equality. “That’s when you know engagement is high, when kids go home and keep the conversation going with their guardians Rayna reflected. “I got an email from a guardian the other day that said her son has never been more excited to come home and talk about things he’s learning in school until this year.”
TCI is dedicated to equipping educators with the tools and confidence to make active learning a reality in every classroom. Our engaging professional development courses, on-demand webinars, and our highly rated Back to School Summit, provide teachers with a hands-on look at new program features and creative strategies for student engagement.
Rayna took full advantage of these training opportunities: “I do the summer PD that I think anyone who’s a TCI user should go to.” Her participation in the Summit inspired new approaches to using TCI’s program.
She hosted professional development sessions to help colleagues fully explore the TCI platform, sessions that her peers have called “epic.” Many teachers had been using TCI for years without realizing the full range of built-in resources: differentiation tools, debate activities, and interactive slide decks.
“Once we did a deep dive together, the excitement in the room was incredible,” said Rayna. “Teachers saw how everything, literacy, history, and technology, connected seamlessly.”
She also highlights TCI’s translation features and accessibility tools as game-changers for multilingual learners. “It’s so powerful for students to hear or read history in their home language,” she said. “That level of access and inclusion really matters.”
Engagement and curiosity have soared in Rayna’s classroom. Students debate passionately, make thoughtful historical connections, and demonstrate stronger literacy through reading and writing about complex topics. Even guardians have noticed the difference.
One reason for this growth is TCI’s integration of language arts instruction with social studies, providing numerous opportunities for elementary students to practice reading, writing, speaking, and listening, as well as language skills.
As Rayna explained, ‘Before we purchased our new reading program, we didn’t have any texts with companion workbooks, so I often relied on social studies materials to support literacy. TCI made that much easier. The program includes so many valuable resources, especially the wealth of online primary sources, which can be incredibly time-consuming for teachers to track down on their own.”
More importantly, for Rayna, this success is more than just academics; it’s about building relationships, confidence, and critical thinking. “TCI removes the burden of figuring out how to teach tough topics,” she said. “It gives teachers a foundation and the flexibility to bring history to life in ways that are inclusive, current, and engaging.”
See how TCI engages students and builds their critical thinking skills with hands-on activities, primary sources, and games. If you’re ready to review social studies programs, contact sales to request a sample.
Students play a game of tug-of-war and then discover how it connects to historical events during the American Revolution.
This activity leverages the Experiential Exercise teaching strategy, which makes abstract ideas or remote events accessible and meaningful by tapping into intrapersonal and body kinesthetic intelligences.
Students learn about the perspectives of Loyalists and Patriots as they prepare for a panel debate, then work together to select a presenter to represent their side.
This activity leverages the Experiential Exercise teaching strategy, which makes abstract ideas or remote events accessible and meaningful by tapping into intrapersonal and body kinesthetic intelligences.