Why I'm a Data Nerd (And How Data Changed My Teaching)
- Emily Webb
- Jul 25
- 4 min read
Updated: 6 hours ago
Why I'm a Data Nerd (And How Data Changed My Teaching)
If you know me, you know I'm a data nerd.
I genuinely love looking at data, analyzing patterns, and figuring out what the numbers are telling me.
During my years as a special education teacher, data wasn't just another task on my to-do list—it was how I determined whether a student was making progress, maintaining skills, or regressing. Good data helped me make informed instructional decisions, write meaningful IEPs, and communicate clearly with families.
Although I've since transitioned out of the classroom, my passion for data has never changed. Today, I use the very same data-driven approach through AdaptAble Pathways, where I provide private in-home instruction, executive functioning coaching, and IEP consultation. Data continues to guide every decision I make because it ensures each child receives instruction that is purposeful, individualized, and responsive to their progress.
But I'll be honest...it wasn't always this way.
My Early Years: Data Binders Everywhere
When I first started teaching over a decade ago, I collected data the traditional way.
I had data sheets. I had data binders. I wrote everything down by hand.
It sounded organized, but in reality, it just didn't work for me.
Most days, I felt like I was collecting data simply because it was required—not because it was actually helping me become a better teacher.
When progress reports or report cards came around, I would write a paragraph about each goal. I'd describe what I had been teaching and share my observations. Everything I wrote was true, but it wasn't measurable, objective, or especially informative.
Another challenge? My data stayed at school.
I'd get home wanting to work on an IEP, answer a parent's email, or prepare for a meeting, only to realize my binders were sitting on a shelf in my classroom. They were bulky, cumbersome, and never available when I needed them most.
I've always been fortunate to work with incredible paraprofessionals. They were wonderful about helping collect data, but each person naturally had a slightly different way of recording information. That meant our data could become more subjective than I wanted.
I knew there had to be a better way.
Discovering Google Sheets
About five years before leaving the classroom, I decided to move all of my data collection into Google Sheets.
It wasn't perfect at first. I experimented with several different layouts before finding one that truly fit the way I taught. Over time, I refined the system into something that completely transformed how I monitored student progress.
It was a game changer.
My paraprofessionals loved it. The families of my students appreciated how clear and objective the information was. Most importantly, it made me a better teacher.
Instead of simply collecting data because I was expected to, I was using it to make better instructional decisions. I could quickly identify what was working, what wasn't, and exactly what each student needed next.
Although I'm no longer in the classroom, this system continues to shape the way I work with students today. Every private session through AdaptAble Pathways is informed by meaningful data, allowing me to adjust instruction, celebrate growth, and communicate progress clearly with families.
Why This Matters for Families
Today, every child I work with through AdaptAble Pathways benefits from this data-driven approach.
Whether I'm providing academic intervention, executive functioning coaching, or supporting families through the IEP process, I don't rely on guesswork. I collect meaningful data that helps me monitor progress, identify effective strategies, and adjust instruction based on each child's individual needs.
That means families receive more than a summary of what we worked on—they gain a clear picture of their child's growth over time. When questions arise, I can show objective data, explain trends, and confidently discuss the next instructional steps.
Why This Matters for Teachers
Although I no longer work in a classroom full time, I know firsthand how overwhelming data collection can be.
That's exactly why I created these Google Sheets.
My goal wasn't to collect more data—it was to collect better data.
I wanted a system that would:
Save teachers valuable time.
Make data collection consistent across staff.
Provide objective information for progress monitoring and IEPs.
Help educators make instructional decisions with confidence.
Make communicating with families easier and more meaningful.