Tammy Lujan teaches 4th grade Texas History and 5th grade American History at Fort Stockton ISD, where she is passionate about bringing history to life for her students. Through engaging, student-led learning experiences, Tammy helps students build a deep sense of pride in their state and country while strengthening their understanding of key historical concepts.

In this Educator Spotlight, we connected with Tammy to learn how she fosters curiosity, uses Exploros to support student growth, and empowers students to take the lead in their learning.

👋 Introduce yourself, including your name, subject, and grade level.

My name is Tammy Lujan, and I teach 4th grade Texas History and 5th grade American History.

📚 What aspect of Social Studies do you find most fascinating and enjoy teaching the most, and why?

I find it fascinating that we can bring history back to life and truly relive it in the classroom. I want my students to feel proud of their country and their state. Teaching the Declaration of Independence is my favorite because it introduces students to powerful ideas about equality and the pursuit of happiness, helping them understand the values our country was built on.

🎉 Share a success story or memorable moment made possible by Exploros.

This is our first year using Exploros, and we have already seen a noticeable increase in student curiosity and engagement. Students are often motivated to continue researching topics at home and come back ready to share what they learned. As a team, we’ve also seen strong growth in student data since implementing the curriculum.

💻 How has technology, particularly Exploros, empowered you as a teacher, helping you achieve your goals and enhance student outcomes?

Exploros gives us access to meaningful resources and real-time data, which helps us better understand how students are progressing. The lessons are well-structured and support our pacing, making it easier to stay on track. Students also enjoy how easy the platform is to use, which keeps them focused on the learning.

🚀 What's one effective teaching strategy or tip for boosting confidence and student engagement in Social Studies?

One strategy that has made a big impact is using a “student-as-teacher” approach. Students take turns leading the class by selecting readers, guiding discussions, and initiating “turn and talks.” This builds their confidence, strengthens critical thinking, and encourages deeper, student-led conversations while I support and monitor their progress.