What Is the Teaching Strategies App? 12 Features You Need to Know (2026) šŸ“±

If you’ve ever juggled a clipboard, a camera, and a notebook while trying to capture those fleeting ā€œaha!ā€ moments in early childhood classrooms, you know the struggle is real. Enter the Teaching Strategies app—a digital game-changer designed to streamline assessment, curriculum planning, and family communication all in one place. But is it really the Swiss Army knife of early education tech, or just another app destined for the ā€œforgotten downloadsā€ folder?

In this comprehensive guide, we unpack everything you need to know about the SmartTeach app (the official name for the Teaching Strategies mobile platform). From its seamless integration with the GOLDĀ® assessment system to its offline capabilities and family engagement tools, we reveal 12 game-changing features that could transform your teaching workflow. Plus, we share candid insights from teachers who’ve lived through the transition from paper binders to digital portfolios—and what they wish they’d known before hitting ā€œdownload.ā€

Ready to discover if this app is your next classroom MVP? Keep reading, because we’re diving deep into the pros, cons, and expert tips that will help you master this tool in 2026 and beyond.


Key Takeaways

  • SmartTeach is the official mobile app for the Teaching Strategies GOLDĀ® assessment system, designed specifically for early childhood educators.
  • It offers real-time documentation capture with photos, videos, and voice notes, making assessment more authentic and immediate.
  • The app supports offline use, so you can document learning anywhere—even without Wi-Fi.
  • Family engagement features connect classrooms and homes through a companion app, fostering communication and transparency.
  • While powerful, the app has a steep learning curve and a utilitarian interface, requiring training and patience to master.
  • For districts already invested in the Teaching Strategies ecosystem, SmartTeach is an essential tool that saves time and enhances instructional quality.

Curious about how it stacks up against other classroom apps or want insider tips for mastering it? Scroll down to our detailed feature breakdown and teacher-tested strategies!


Welcome to Teacher Strategiesā„¢! We’ve spent more hours in the classroom than we have in our own living rooms, and we know that the right tech can be the difference between a smooth day of learning and a chaotic ā€œglitter-explosionā€ afternoon. šŸŽØ

You’ve likely heard the buzz about the Teaching Strategies app (officially known as SmartTeach). Whether you’re a seasoned preschool pro or a curious administrator, you’re probably wondering: Is this app actually going to save me time, or is it just another digital hoop to jump through?

We’ve put this platform through its paces, tested the ā€œdocumentation on the flyā€ features, and even navigated the family communication portal so you don’t have to guess. Grab your favorite coffee (or that lukewarm tea you forgot about three hours ago), and let’s dive into the ultimate guide and review of the Teaching Strategies ecosystem. ā˜•ļø

āš”ļø Quick Tips and Facts

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, here is the ā€œtoo long; didn’t readā€ version for the busy educator on the move:

  • Official Name: The app is officially titled SmartTeach (formerly MyTeachingStrategies).
  • Core Purpose: It’s a comprehensive platform for early childhood educators to manage assessment, curriculum, and family engagement.
  • The ā€œGOLDā€ Standard: It is the primary mobile tool for the GOLDĀ® assessment system, used to track developmental milestones.
  • Offline Mode: āœ… Yes! You can capture observations without Wi-Fi, and it will sync once you’re back in range.
  • Compatibility: Available on iOS (Apple) and Android devices.
  • Family Connection: It bridges the gap between school and home via the Teaching Strategies Family app.
  • Multimedia Support: šŸ“ø You can upload photos, videos, and voice memos directly to student portfolios.
  • Security: šŸ›”ļø COPPA and FERPA compliant, ensuring student data stays private.

Table of Contents


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āš”ļø Quick Tips and Facts

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, here is the ā€œtoo long; didn’t readā€ version for the busy educator on the move:

  • Official Name: The app is officially titled SmartTeach (formerly MyTeachingStrategies).
  • Core Purpose: It’s a comprehensive platform for early childhood educators to manage assessment, curriculum, and family engagement.
  • The ā€œGOLDā€ Standard: It is the primary mobile tool for the GOLDĀ® assessment system, used to track developmental milestones.
  • Offline Mode: āœ… Yes! You can capture observations without Wi-Fi, and it will sync once you’re back in range.
  • Compatibility: Available on iOS (Apple) and Android devices.
  • Family Connection: It bridges the gap between school and home via the Teaching Strategies Family app.
  • Multimedia Support: šŸ“ø You can upload photos, videos, and voice memos directly to student portfolios.
  • Security: šŸ›”ļø COPPA and FERPA compliant, ensuring student data stays private.

šŸ“œ The Evolution of Early Childhood Tech: From Paper to the Teaching Strategies App

Video: How to add a study to the lesson plans on teaching strategies.

Remember the days of the colossal three-ring binder? The one filled with sticky notes, anecdotal records on napkins, and blurry photos you had to get developed at the drugstore? We do! šŸ™‹ ā™€ļø One of our veteran teachers, Sarah, still talks about her ā€œassessment binderā€ that weighed more than a toddler and was a rainbow of color-coded tabs. Capturing a ā€œteachable momentā€ meant fumbling for a pen and a scrap of paper while simultaneously preventing a paint-related disaster.

The shift to digital was inevitable. Early childhood education, with its emphasis on observation-based assessment, was crying out for a more efficient system. We needed a way to capture rich, authentic moments without being tethered to a desk. This is the world the Teaching Strategies app was born into—a world desperate to trade clunky binders for the sleek efficiency of a smartphone. It represents a move from tedious, after-hours data entry to real-time, in-the-moment documentation. But does it live up to the promise? Let’s find out.

šŸŽ What Exactly is the SmartTeach App? (A Deep Dive into the Teaching Strategies Ecosystem)

Video: Teaching Strategies Gold assessments.

First things first, let’s clear up the name game. You might hear it called the ā€œTeaching Strategies app,ā€ ā€œMyTeachingStrategies,ā€ or ā€œthe GOLD app.ā€ The official name for the current, all-in-one application is SmartTeach. And yes, to answer the burning question we get all the time, this is the official answer to ā€œDoes Teaching Strategies Gold Have an App?ā€œ. Think of SmartTeach not as a standalone product, but as the mobile command center for the entire Teaching Strategies universe.

It’s designed to be the bridge between your classroom actions and the powerful backend systems like GOLDĀ® (their assessment tool) and The Creative CurriculumĀ® Cloud. Without a subscription to these services, the app is like a car without an engine—it looks nice, but it won’t get you very far.

Here’s our expert team’s rating of the SmartTeach app:

Feature Teacher Strategiesā„¢ Rating (out of 10) Why?
Functionality 8/10 šŸš€ Powerful all-in-one features, but the best ones require the full ecosystem subscription.
Ease of Use 7/10 šŸ¤” There’s a learning curve, especially when transitioning from simpler apps. It’s not immediately intuitive.
Design & UI 6/10 šŸŽØ A bit dated and utilitarian. It prioritizes function over form, which some users find unappealing.
Family Engagement 8/10 šŸ’Œ Solid two-way communication, but lacks features like in-app translation that competitors offer.
Assessment Integration 10/10 ⭐ Best-in-class. The seamless link to GOLDĀ® is the app’s biggest strength and primary selling point.
Overall Value 8/10 šŸ’° For districts already invested in the ecosystem, it’s an essential and invaluable tool.

The app’s core mission, as stated on its Google Play Store page, is to offer ā€œearly childhood educators a single app to support all essential classroom tasks.ā€ It aims to be your digital Swiss Army knife for everything from taking attendance to documenting developmental milestones.

šŸš€ 12 Game-Changing Features of the Teaching Strategies SmartTeach App

Video: Video Tutorial My Teaching Strategies Family App.

So, what can this app actually do? We’ve broken down the 12 key features that will impact your daily classroom life the most.

1. Real-Time Documentation Capture

This is the heart of the app. See a child successfully build a tower of ten blocks? Snap a photo, add a quick note tagging the relevant GOLDĀ® objectives (like fine motor skills or mathematics), and boom—you’ve created a piece of documentation. No more trying to remember the details at naptime.

2. Seamless GOLDĀ® Assessment Integration

Every piece of documentation you capture can be instantly linked to the GOLDĀ® assessment framework. This transforms random observations into meaningful data points for tracking child development. It’s one of the most powerful assessment techniques available digitally, allowing you to build robust portfolios over time.

3. Digital Access to The Creative CurriculumĀ®

If your school uses The Creative CurriculumĀ® Cloud, you can pull up your daily plans, activities, and guidance right on your device. This is a lifesaver when you’re in the middle of circle time and need a quick prompt or a song from the Mighty MinutesĀ® collection.

4. On-the-Fly Individualization

The app allows you to view assessment data to make informed decisions in the moment. See a child struggling with a concept? You can quickly pull up Intentional Teaching Experiences (ITEs) to provide targeted support. This is a fantastic tool for implementing differentiated instruction.

5. Robust Multimedia Uploads

It’s not just photos! You can capture videos of children collaborating on a project or record audio clips of a child telling a story. This rich media provides a much more holistic view of a child’s development than a written note alone.

6. Automated Reporting and Analytics

While most of the heavy lifting for reporting happens on the desktop platform, the data you collect via the app feeds directly into it. This streamlines the process of generating progress reports, sharing data with administrators, and preparing for parent-teacher conferences.

7. Two-Way Family Communication

Through the companion Teaching Strategies Family app, you can share photos, videos, and messages with families, giving them a window into their child’s day. Families can also message you back, creating a vital home-school connection.

8. Offline Functionality for Outdoor Learning

This is a huge plus! Taking the kids to the playground or on a nature walk where the Wi-Fi is spotty? No problem. You can continue capturing documentation offline, and the app will automatically sync everything once you’re back in range. āœ…

9. Intentional Teaching Experiences (ITEs)

These are research-backed, scaffolded activities designed to support specific skills. Having them accessible in the app means you can pivot your instruction in real-time based on what you’re observing in the classroom. It’s a core component of effective instructional strategies.

10. Lesson Planning on the Go

You can view and interact with your daily and weekly plans directly in the app. While heavy-duty planning is still better on a desktop, this feature is perfect for quick reviews and adjustments throughout the day.

11. Developmental Milestone Tracking

For the youngest learners, the app includes features to track daily care routines (napping, feeding, diapering) and an Entry Screener to identify developmental levels for infants and toddlers, helping you create individualized support plans from day one.

12. Multi-Classroom Management for Admins

For directors and instructional coaches, the app provides a high-level view. Administrators can move staff between rooms, perform name-to-face checks, and access classroom media, making it a useful tool for instructional coaching and compliance.

šŸ›”ļø Keeping Tiny Data Safe: Security and Privacy in the Teaching Strategies App

Video: How To: Logging On To The My Teaching Strategies App.

Let’s talk about something that keeps educators up at night: student privacy. When you’re uploading photos and developmental notes about children, you need to be 100% confident that the data is secure.

The good news is that Teaching Strategies takes this very seriously. The SmartTeach app and its entire ecosystem are compliant with two major U.S. privacy laws:

  • COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act): This federal law governs the online collection of personal information from children under 13.
  • FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act): This law protects the privacy of student education records.

According to the app’s privacy details on the Apple App Store, data collected can include user content, identifiers, and usage data. It’s important to understand that this data is linked to your identity as a user for the app to function—it needs to know which child’s portfolio to add a photo to, for example. The key is that this data is protected and used for educational purposes only, not for advertising or other commercial uses.

⭐ Real Talk: Ratings and Reviews from the Teacher Trenches

Video: Creative Curriculum video.

No review is complete without hearing from the teachers who use it every single day. The consensus? It’s powerful, but not always perfect.

The Praise: 🄳 Many teachers love the all-in-one nature of the app. Having curriculum, communication, and assessment in one place is a huge time-saver. The direct integration with GOLDĀ® is universally praised as its killer feature. ā€œSmartTeach simplifies teaching, documentation, classroom management, and family engagement throughout the day,ā€ as the official description boasts, and for many, it delivers on that promise.

The Problems: 😩 However, there are common frustrations. A recurring theme in user reviews is the user interface, which some find clunky or dated compared to slicker apps like ClassDojo or Brightwheel.

One of the most pointed reviews on the App Store highlights a major challenge: the transition. A teacher wrote, > ā€œThis app has so much potential… My district made the teachers switch from dojo to this and no one is happy.ā€

This sentiment is crucial. When teachers are used to a simple, communication-focused app, moving to a complex, assessment-driven ecosystem like Teaching Strategies can feel overwhelming. It’s a classic classroom management challenge—introducing a new system requires significant buy-in and training. Other specific complaints include:

  • āŒ No In-App Translation: A major drawback for communicating with multilingual families. Competitors often include this.
  • āŒ Inability to Delete Messages: A frustrating lack of control over the communication feed.
  • āŒ Steep Learning Curve: It’s not an app you can master in an afternoon.

The developer has noted that translation support is a future priority, which is a promising sign they’re listening to feedback.

šŸ†• What’s New? Recent Updates to the SmartTeach Interface

Video: Creative Curriculum Classroom Tour.

Teaching Strategies has been working to streamline its mobile experience. The launch of SmartTeach was a significant step, aiming to consolidate features that were previously split between the older MyTeachingStrategies app and the TadpolesĀ® app (which they acquired).

The tagline ā€œDownload SmartTeach by Teaching Strategies to access our new and improved features & functionalityā€ signals a commitment to creating a single, unified mobile hub. Recent updates have focused on:

  • Stability Improvements: Squashing bugs and improving performance.
  • UI Tweaks: Small changes to make navigation more logical.
  • Integrating TadpolesĀ® Features: Bringing in more of the daily care and attendance tracking that TadpolesĀ® was known for.

While it hasn’t had a massive visual overhaul yet, the focus seems to be on making the existing toolset more reliable and comprehensive.

šŸ†˜ Help is on the Way: Navigating App Support and Training

Video: LESSON PLANS with Teaching Strategies for Early Preschool Classes and up.

Given the app’s complexity, you’re going to need support. Don’t worry, it’s available!

  • Official Support: Teaching Strategies offers a robust support portal with articles, tutorials, and a way to submit help tickets. This should be your first stop.
  • In-Person & Virtual Training: Most districts that invest in the Teaching Strategies ecosystem also purchase professional development packages. These training sessions are invaluable for getting your team up to speed.
  • Teacher Communities: Don’t underestimate the power of your peers! Facebook groups and other online forums for early childhood educators are fantastic places to ask questions and share tips for using the app effectively.

Our advice? Be proactive. Don’t wait until you’re frustrated to seek help. Explore the support portal before you run into problems.

šŸŽ’ Beyond the App: Exploring the Full Teaching Strategies, LLC Suite

Video: What makes a good teacher great? | Azul Terronez | TEDxSantoDomingo.

It’s critical to remember that the SmartTeach app is just one piece of a much larger puzzle. Its true power is unlocked when your school or district subscribes to the broader platform. Here’s a quick breakdown:

  • GOLDĀ®: The cornerstone assessment tool. It’s a comprehensive, research-based system for observing and tracking children’s development from birth through third grade. The app is the primary data-entry tool for GOLDĀ®.
  • The Creative CurriculumĀ® Cloud: A digital curriculum platform that provides daily plans, teaching resources, and family engagement materials. The app lets you access these resources in the classroom.
  • TadpolesĀ®: Originally a separate company, Tadpoles was acquired by Teaching Strategies for its strength in childcare management (attendance, daily reports, parent communication). Its features are progressively being integrated into the main SmartTeach and Teaching Strategies Family apps.

If your school only uses one of these components, your app functionality will be limited. The system is designed to work as an integrated whole.

šŸ”„ The Competition: How SmartTeach Compares to Similar Classroom Apps

Video: Teaching Strategies Family App.

So, how does SmartTeach stack up against the other big names in the classroom app space? It really depends on what you’re looking for. It’s not an apples-to-apples comparison, as they’re often built for different primary purposes.

App Primary Focus Best For Key Difference
SmartTeach Assessment & Curriculum Districts committed to the GOLDĀ® framework and data-driven instruction. Deep, research-based assessment is the core. Communication is a secondary feature.
ClassDojo Behavior Management & Communication Individual teachers or schools wanting a simple, engaging parent communication tool. Gamified behavior tracking (points system) and a simple, social-media-style feed.
Brightwheel Childcare Management & Billing Childcare centers and preschools needing an all-in-one for billing, check-in, and communication. Strong focus on the business/administrative side of running a center.
HiMama Parent Engagement & Operations Centers prioritizing a premium parent experience and daily reporting. Excellent daily reports and a very parent-friendly interface.

The frustration expressed in the user review about switching from ClassDojo makes perfect sense in this context. ClassDojo is beloved for its simplicity and engaging interface. SmartTeach is a heavier, more data-intensive tool. It’s like switching from a simple point-and-shoot camera to a professional DSLR—it’s far more powerful, but also more complex.

CHECK OUT THESE APPS ON:

šŸ’” Pro-Tips for Mastering the Teaching Strategies App

Video: Introduction to My Teaching Strategies Family Application: Sep 2, 2020 10:25 AM.

Feeling a little overwhelmed? We’ve got you. Here are our team’s top tips for becoming a SmartTeach power user:

  1. Use Voice Notes for Speed. Don’t have time to type out a long observation? Tap the microphone and record a quick voice note. You can transcribe it later, but the core observation is captured.
  2. ā€œTag, You’re It!ā€ – Tag Multiple Children. If several children are working together on a project, take one photo or video and tag all of them in the documentation. It’s a huge time-saver!
  3. Prep Your Resources. Before the day begins, quickly review the planned Mighty MinutesĀ® or Intentional Teaching Experiences in the app so you’re ready to pull them up when the moment is right.
  4. Batch Your Uploads. If you’re working offline, don’t wait until the end of the day to sync. Connect to Wi-Fi during naptime or another quiet moment to let the app upload your documentation in batches.
  5. Customize Your View. Spend some time learning the filters and settings. Customizing the app to show you exactly what you need can make a world of difference in your daily workflow.
  6. Watch and Learn. Sometimes seeing is believing. For a great visual walkthrough of these features in action, check out the demonstration video we’ve included in this article. It can help clarify how different functions work together in a real classroom setting.

Conclusion

two women standing in front of a whiteboard with writing on it

After diving deep into the Teaching Strategies SmartTeach app, it’s clear this tool is a powerhouse for early childhood educators committed to data-driven instruction and comprehensive classroom management. The app’s strength lies in its seamless integration with the GOLDĀ® assessment system, enabling real-time documentation and rich multimedia capture that transforms everyday observations into meaningful developmental insights.

Positives:

  • Robust, research-based assessment integration that supports individualized instruction.
  • Offline functionality that lets you document learning moments anywhere.
  • Family engagement features that foster meaningful home-school connections.
  • A unified platform that combines curriculum, assessment, and communication.

Negatives:

  • The user interface can feel clunky and unintuitive, especially for those new to the ecosystem.
  • Lacks some modern conveniences like in-app translation and message deletion.
  • Steep learning curve that requires investment in training and time.

If you’re part of a district or program already invested in the Teaching Strategies ecosystem, SmartTeach is an essential app that will save you time and improve instructional quality. However, if your priority is simple parent communication or behavior management, you might find other apps like ClassDojo or Brightwheel more immediately user-friendly.

Remember Sarah’s story from the beginning—the heavy binders and frantic note-taking? SmartTeach is the digital evolution of that process, designed to make your life easier and your teaching more intentional. While it’s not perfect, it’s a giant leap forward for early childhood educators who want to harness technology to support every child’s growth.


Ready to explore or add these tools to your teaching arsenal? Check out these resources and products:


FAQ

person in gray sweater holding Surface devices

How does the Teaching Strategies app align with other educational frameworks and strategies for success in the classroom?

The SmartTeach app is designed to complement research-based frameworks like the GOLDĀ® assessment system and The Creative CurriculumĀ®. It supports intentional teaching by providing real-time data and resources that align with developmental milestones and learning objectives. This integration ensures that instructional strategies are evidence-based and tailored to each child’s needs, supporting differentiated instruction and effective classroom management.

How does this help teachers implement instructional strategies?

By linking observations directly to curriculum goals and assessment data, teachers can plan and adjust lessons dynamically, ensuring that every child receives targeted support. This aligns with best practices in instructional strategies and differentiated instruction.


Can the Teaching Strategies app be used to inform instruction and make data-driven decisions in the classroom?

Absolutely. The app’s core strength is in capturing authentic observations and linking them to the GOLDĀ® framework, which provides a comprehensive view of each child’s developmental progress. This data empowers teachers to make informed decisions about lesson planning, individualized supports, and group activities, enhancing the quality of instruction.

What makes this data-driven approach effective?

Because the app supports real-time documentation and multimedia capture, teachers avoid relying on memory or end-of-day notes. This immediacy improves accuracy and relevance, which are critical for effective data-driven instruction.


What features does the Teaching Strategies app offer to help educators track student progress and development?

The app offers a suite of tools including:

  • Real-time documentation with photos, videos, and voice notes.
  • Linking observations to GOLDĀ® objectives for milestone tracking.
  • Entry Screener for infants and toddlers to identify developmental levels.
  • Automated reporting that feeds into comprehensive progress reports.
  • Care routine tracking (naps, meals, diapering) for holistic child monitoring.

These features allow educators to build rich portfolios that reflect each child’s unique learning journey.


How does the Teaching Strategies app support teacher instruction and student learning in the classroom?

By providing easy access to curriculum resources like Intentional Teaching Experiences (ITEs) and Mighty MinutesĀ®, the app supports teachers in delivering engaging, scaffolded learning activities. The ability to individualize instruction based on assessment data helps meet diverse learner needs and supports continuous growth.


What is the teaching strategies communication app?

The Teaching Strategies Family app is the companion communication tool designed to connect educators and families. It allows teachers to share photos, videos, and daily reports with parents, fostering transparency and collaboration. Families can respond, ask questions, and stay engaged in their child’s learning.


How can the Teaching Strategies app improve classroom management?

SmartTeach streamlines many administrative tasks such as:

  • Taking attendance and moving children/staff between rooms.
  • Performing name-to-face checks.
  • Tracking daily care routines.
  • Generating daily reports for families.

By automating these tasks, teachers can focus more on instruction and less on paperwork, improving overall classroom flow and management.


What features does the Teaching Strategies app offer for lesson planning?

While the app is not a full-fledged lesson planner, it provides:

  • Access to daily and weekly plans from The Creative CurriculumĀ® Cloud.
  • Quick reference to Intentional Teaching Experiences and Mighty MinutesĀ®.
  • The ability to adjust plans on the go based on real-time observations.

This flexibility supports responsive teaching and helps educators stay organized.


Is the Teaching Strategies app suitable for early childhood education?

Yes! The app is specifically designed for early childhood educators, supporting children from birth through third grade. Its focus on developmental milestones, family engagement, and research-based curriculum makes it an ideal tool for preschools, Head Start programs, and early elementary classrooms.


How does the Teaching Strategies app support student assessment and progress tracking?

The app is the primary mobile interface for the Teaching Strategies GOLDĀ® assessment system, which is widely recognized as a gold standard in early childhood assessment. It enables teachers to:

  • Capture authentic observations linked to developmental objectives.
  • Use multimedia to enrich documentation.
  • Track progress over time with automated data syncing.
  • Generate reports that inform instruction and communicate with families.


If you want to explore more about assessment techniques or instructional strategies, check out our Instructional Strategies and Assessment Techniques categories.

Marti
Marti

As the editor of TeacherStrategies.org, Marti is a seasoned educator and strategist with a passion for fostering inclusive learning environments and empowering students through tailored educational experiences. With her roots as a university tutor—a position she landed during her undergraduate years—Marti has always been driven by the joy of facilitating others' learning journeys.

Holding a Bachelor's degree in Communication alongside a degree in Social Work, she has mastered the art of empathetic communication, enabling her to connect with students on a profound level. Marti’s unique educational background allows her to incorporate holistic approaches into her teaching, addressing not just the academic, but also the emotional and social needs of her students.

Throughout her career, Marti has developed and implemented innovative teaching strategies that cater to diverse learning styles, believing firmly that education should be accessible and engaging for all. Her work on the Teacher Strategies site encapsulates her extensive experience and dedication to education, offering readers insights into effective teaching methods, classroom management techniques, and strategies for fostering inclusive and supportive learning environments.

As an advocate for lifelong learning, Marti continuously seeks to expand her knowledge and skills, ensuring her teaching methods are both evidence-based and cutting edge. Whether through her blog articles on Teacher Strategies or her direct engagement with students, Marti remains committed to enhancing educational outcomes and inspiring the next generation of learners and educators alike.

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