Middle School Science Teacher Delivers Differentiated Instruction With Pear Deck
Karen Arceo, a middle school science teacher at Corpus Christi Catholic School in Houston, Texas, has made it her mission to create an inclusive and engaging learning environment for her students. Since 2020, Pear Deck has been her go-to resource for delivering differentiated instruction, streamlining lesson planning, and fostering deeper student engagement. Her innovative approach earned her recognition as one of the winners of Pear Deck's 2024-2025 Back to School Classroom Challenge.
The need to support student learning with actionable insights
When Karen discovered Pear Deck, she was searching for a tool that could help bridge the gap between engagement and comprehension with her students, especially for a split schedule where her classes had different levels of need. Pear Deck’s interactive and immediate feedback capabilities fit seamlessly into her evolving teaching style.
“I love how I can do a quick check for understanding — right in the middle of my lesson or even during a discussion,” Karen says.
Karen also finds Pear Deck’s anonymity fosters more honest participation, especially for students who might otherwise be hesitant to engage. “The fact that students’ answers are private, but I can see them, makes them feel safe to express what they’re thinking,” she explains. “Instead of just asking kids to raise their hands, I have everyone type their answers. It gives the shy students a voice and makes them feel heard.”
Helping teachers adapt and streamline lesson planning
Over the years, Karen’s use of Pear Deck has grown alongside her teaching methods. As a middle school science teacher with small, split classes, Karen faces unique challenges in managing differentiated instruction. Pear Deck’s flexibility has allowed her to adapt her lesson plans and adjust instruction to meet student needs.
“Sometimes a student will ask a question I didn’t anticipate, and I’ll think, ‘Let’s pause and dig into this.’ After that discussion, I can insert a quick assessment to gauge understanding,” Karen explains. “It’s not just about moving forward — it’s about making sure no one gets left behind.”
Karen also appreciates how Pear Deck supports her lesson planning process. “It used to take me hours to create a lesson, but with Pear Deck, I’ve cut down on planning time tremendously,” she shares. “I love using the pre-made templates. With those, I can plan a lesson in 30 minutes. They’re colorful, interactive, and easy to tweak for my needs. Plus, my students love the brain breaks I can incorporate. It keeps the energy up and the classroom dynamic active.”
Delivering differentiated instruction with ease
With Pear Deck, Karen has been able to deliver lessons that meet her students’ varied learning needs. “My classes are already differentiated — one advanced and one on-level — but there’s still a wide range of abilities within each group,” Karen says. “With Pear Deck, I can use the same lesson but adapt the questions for each group. I’ll insert prompts during class to see where they’re at and adjust my teaching. If I notice misconceptions, I’ll pause, re-teach, and test again.”
Transforming the classroom experience for teachers and students
Karen’s enthusiasm for Pear Deck is contagious, both in her classroom and beyond. “My students were worried when I told them I’d be out for this interview. They thought it meant we wouldn’t be using Pear Deck anymore!” she shares. “It’s become such a central part of our classroom routine.”
By providing instant feedback, fostering engagement, and supporting differentiated instruction, Pear Deck has transformed how Karen teaches and how her students learn.
“It’s flexible, interactive, and just works,” Karen concludes. “It’s hard to imagine my classroom without it.”
