Why Engagement Matters: Reflecting on Our Word of the Year at KLR
- Daniel Reigelsperger
- Mar 10
- 4 min read
As the CEO and Founder of KLR Medical Certification Training School, I have always believed that growth is most powerful when it is intentional and when the
desire for it is meaningful. Our goal is to provide each of our students not with a standard education, experience, and opportunities, but the best. That is why each year, KLR chooses a Word of the Year. Our word of the year is more than a theme. It becomes a mantra through which we make decisions, build classrooms and curriculum and hold ourselves accountable.
Last year, our Word of the Year was ENGAGEMENT.
We chose engagement because we knew that if we wanted to keep raising the bar at KLR, our students had to feel connected, supported, and involved in what they were learning. Engagement isn’t about entertaining; it’s about encouraging and inspiring students to take ownership of their learning and participation. It’s about ensuring that students understand and comprehend what they are learning and that they can take that information and apply it to the real world. And this includes clinical skills and soft skills. With that in mind, we made engagement a priority in almost every part of KLR last year.
January: Setting the Tone for Learning
We began the year by focusing on how classes start. In January, we implemented instrumental music at the beginning of classes to set a calm and focused tone. This simple change helped students mentally transition into learning mode and created consistency across classrooms.
We also introduced custom daily welcome slides. These slides outlined the agenda for the day, reinforced expectations, and helped students understand what was coming next. When students know what’s expected, they feel more confident - and confident students are more engaged.
Additionally, we added senior-specific sections to our weekly newsletters. Even though many of our seniors were out of the classroom, participating in clinical rotations, we wanted them to stay connected to KLR and continue feeling informed and engaged.
February: Participation Without Fear
In February, we expanded our engagement toolkit. Instructors began using strategies like Phone a Friend and what students affectionately named “The Wheel of Doom.”
Phone a Friend encouraged collaboration and peer support, allowing students to lean on one another while still being accountable for learning. The Wheel of Doom was used to randomly select students to participate - but it was never used as a punishment. Instead, instructors made it fun, lighthearted, and encouraging. Students embraced it, and participation increased dramatically.
Just as importantly, February was when we changed how we responded to wrong answers. We focused on encouraging students who tried, even if their answer wasn’t correct. We wanted effort to be recognized, not shut down. When students know they won’t be embarrassed for being wrong, they are much more willing to participate again.
March: Learning From Those Who’ve Been There
In March, we brought our seniors back into the spotlight. Seniors shared what they were experiencing in clinical rotations and offered tips for success; both in clinicals and on their national certification exams.
And here’s what happened:
Seniors felt recognized and valued
Juniors gained motivation and clarity about what lies ahead
Peer-to-peer encouragement increased across cohorts
Learning became more real because students were hearing directly from those already in clinicals.
April: Slowing Down to Move Forward
In April, we focused on comprehension and pacing. Instructors became more intentional about checking for understanding, building in wait time, and creating space for questions. This ensured that all students. regardless of learning speed; had the opportunity to succeed.
We ended the school year with virtual escape rooms, blending critical thinking, collaboration, and content mastery into an experience that was fun, competitive, and meaningful.
Summer: Preparing for What’s Next
Over the summer, we continued to build. Our team invested countless hours in professional development and collaboration.
When we returned in August, we implemented:
Monthly guest speakers, giving students exposure to real professionals, career pathways, and industry expectations
Current event articles and structured debates, strengthening critical thinking and communication skills
Case studies, connecting classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios
Expanded vocabulary instruction and drug knowledge practice, reinforcing the language of healthcare
The results spoke for themselves. Engagement increased. Confidence grew. Outcomes improved. This has been our strongest year yet, academically and culturally.
Looking Ahead: Our Word of the Year Is Elevate
Because of the foundation we built through engagement, we are ready for what comes next. This year in 2026, our Word of the Year is ELEVATE.
To elevate means to raise standards, deepen learning, strengthen leadership, and move with purpose. Engagement laid the groundwork. Elevate is about taking everything we do - our classrooms, our expectations, our support systems - and intentionally raising them to the next level.
At KLR, we will continue to grow on purpose, lead with intention, and never settle for “good enough.” Our students, schools, and community partners deserve excellence, and we are committed to delivering it.
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