August 14, 2026
by Cathy Byrne
Attending the AVID Summer Institute in San Diego was an impactful professional development experience that will shape my teaching at Hamilton Avenue School.
One of my biggest takeaways was the importance of teaching students how to think, not just what to think. By combining content knowledge with critical thinking, problem-solving, discussion, and collaboration, students become more engaged and take greater ownership of their learning.
I also strengthened my understanding of AVID’s Critical Reading Process, including strategies that build comprehension, academic vocabulary, and confidence with challenging texts. These tools can help make rigorous content more accessible to all learners.
I look forward to bringing these AVID strategies into my classroom to create engaging, student-centered learning experiences that foster curiosity, independence, and lifelong learning.