How BrainPOP Fuels Engaged Learning in Bloomfield School District
- Jackie Glassman
- 7 hours ago
- 4 min read
When Jen Khoury evaluates a new instructional tool for Bloomfield Public Schools in New Jersey, she is thinking about the big picture. As Director of Systems, I.T. and Communications, she is responsible for vetting resources that must work across grade levels, subject areas, and a wide range of learners.
For Khoury, the bar is high. Any tool the district adopts must keep students interested while also giving teachers real instructional value.
BrainPOP stood out quickly.
Khoury points to student engagement as a key reason why the district continues to invest in the platform.
"BrainPOP keeps the kids' interest, and it's something that they look forward to whether it's a little break or adding on supplementally to something we've done in the classroom. The kids look forward to BrainPOP and that's a huge win for us and for keeping the program."
Today, that decision shows up clearly in classrooms across Bloomfield. BrainPOP is more than an occasional add-on. It is part of the instructional routine, helping teachers simplify complex ideas and encouraging students to lean in with curiosity.
Teach with Confidence
Ask Bloomfield educators why they return to BrainPOP again and again, and one word comes up often: reliability.
Teachers know they can open the platform and quickly find content that supports what they are already teaching. That confidence matters in busy classrooms where time is tight and student needs vary widely.
A Flexible Instructional Partner
Across the district, teachers use BrainPOP in ways that fit their own style. Some start lessons with a movie to activate prior knowledge. Others use it mid lesson to clarify tricky concepts or at the end to reinforce learning.
Sixth grade teacher Michael Cullen describes the platform in simple terms:
“I do feel like I have a friend… knowing you have BrainPOP to help whatever I’m teaching. BrainPOP’s right there for you.”
That sense of support is exactly what Bloomfield leaders hoped to see when they brought the resource into classrooms.
Versatility That Teachers Notice
BrainPOP’s impact is especially visible during everyday classroom walkthroughs.
Carteret Elementary principal John Baltz regularly observes the platform in action.
“I constantly see BrainPOP being utilized in the classroom,” he says. “I think the biggest thing is they [teachers] like the versatility, meaning they can find almost any teaching point for any content area.”
Because the content spans subjects and grade levels, teachers can rely on one familiar tool rather than searching for something new each time they plan a lesson.
"It's got a big job. It has to speak to the different types of learners that are in the classroom. We want it to be a resource that all of the teachers can utilize—if it can span preK-12 grade levels, that's even better. We know there's not a 'one-stop shop' for any particular thing, but with as many bases as we can cover with one technology, BrainPOP has done all of that," says Khoury.
Learning Kids Ask For
In Bloomfield, strong instruction is meant to be visible and audible. Classrooms are active places where students are expected to talk, question, and share ideas. BrainPOP is intentionally designed to support this kind of participation. Features like Pause Points, interactive quizzes, and memorable characters prompt students to reflect, discuss, and respond in the moment. In Bloomfield classrooms, teachers are putting those design elements to work every day.
Participation That Pulls Students In
One of the clearest indicators of impact is student engagement, especially among learners who can be harder to motivate.
Baltz has seen the difference firsthand.
“Some of our students who are difficult to motivate to participate, they are enjoying the videos, they are engaged, and they are actively participating in the lesson,” he explains.
BrainPOP features like Pause Points and interactive quizzes give teachers natural moments to bring more voices into the conversation.
Classrooms That Sound Like Learning
Bloomfield leaders are intentional about embracing lively classrooms where students are actively engaged. At Demarest Elementary School, principal Mike Sullivan says the definition of a strong classroom has evolved:
"It's when you hear from the students more than the teacher. When you go into a classroom, the students are not only answering questions but also asking questions, telling anecdotes, and sharing their own experiences... that energy in the room is really positive."
Characters That Build Connection
For teachers, the engagement is often visible in small moments. Third grade teacher Danielle Kelly sees it when students laugh at familiar jokes or immediately recognize a reference.
“I use BrainPOP for all subjects because I teach all content,” she says. “The kids get excited to watch these videos, and it helps them get ready for what we’re going to learn.”
What began as a helpful digital resource during virtual learning has now become part of her daily routine. “I feel like I can’t teach without it,” Kelly adds.
District-Wide Impact
In Bloomfield, BrainPOP’s value is visible at multiple levels. Teachers use it regularly, students respond to it, and administrators see clear alignment with instructional goals.
Usage data confirms what classroom visits already suggest. The resource is woven into everyday instruction across the district.
If it disappeared tomorrow, Khoury expects the response would be immediate. “There would be absolute mutiny,” she says.
The Takeaway
Bloomfield’s experience shows what can happen when an instructional tool truly fits the needs of both teachers and students.
BrainPOP helps educators simplify complex ideas, maintain student interest, and create the kind of active learning environments the district values. Just as important, it does so in a way that feels sustainable for busy teachers.
While BrainPOP may look a little different in each Bloomfield classroom, one thing remains consistent. It helps teachers teach with confidence and gives students a learning experience they genuinely look forward to.
Jackie Glassman is a content strategist who builds meaningful learning experiences that meet K-8 students where they are. She blends rigor, empathy, and creativity to develop standards-aligned, culturally responsive curriculum rooted in how students truly learn. Jackie is also a dedicated yogi, and her favorite character will always be Moby.