What Makes Learning Matter?
Student Perspectives on Purpose, Engagement, and Real-World Impact
Workshop Description
In this student-led panel, high school learners share honest insights into what makes learning meaningful, engaging, and worth the effort. Moving beyond traditional assessment, students reflect on the experiences that have challenged them, inspired them, and connected classroom learning to the real world. Through candid discussion, they will highlight the role of purpose, choice, and authentic impact in driving motivation and deeper understanding. Attendees will leave with practical ideas and a renewed perspective on how to design learning experiences that truly matter to students.
Workshop Outcomes
Workshop Leader
Jodie Deinhammer | Science Educator | Coppell High School, Coppell, Texas
Email: jdeinhammer@coppellisd.com
Instagram: @jodiedeinhammer
BlueSky: @jdeinhammer
Portfolio
Jodie Deinhammer has been teaching science in Coppell ISD for almost 30 years. She was the Texas Region 10’s Secondary Teacher of the Year for 2015, and was the Texas Medical Association Texas Science Teacher of the Year in 2013. She is also an Apple Distinguished Educator.
As an Apple Distinguished Educator, Mrs. Deinhammer works with teachers around the globe to help creatively integrate technology into the classroom. She encourages educators and administrators to create classrooms that allow students to investigate and address real world issues and create innovative solutions.
Mrs. Deinhammer believes that students should have a voice in their education and that schools need to drastically change to meet the needs of our changing world. We should challenge our students with authentic real world issues and give them a platform to make a difference in society. We shouldn’t focus on preparing our kids for what is next, but instead helping them make a contribution each and every day.
