How Buffalo Seminary Empowered Teachers and Transformed Student Organization with Studyo
For over 22 years, Beth Adamczyk has served as the Director of Technology at Buffalo Seminary (SEM), a private high school dedicated to equipping students with the skills they need to succeed. In 2019, while attending the ISTE Conference, Beth encountered Studyo, an EdTech platform designed to support student organization and workload management. What started as a simple booth visit turned into a positive journey that reshaped how Buffalo Seminary approaches streamlining teacher workflows, improving student planning and time management, and increasing transparency for parents. Beth Adamczyk and two teachers – Jessica Silverstein, and Dolores Pasciak - share their experiences in how Studyo has transformed academic life at Buffalo Seminary.
The Challenge
A need for better organization
Prior to Studyo, the school relied on a learning management system (LMS) that functioned more like a digital checklist than an organizational tool. Students struggled with time management, often missing assignments or leaving them until the last minute. Teachers, on the other hand, had to manually post assignments in multiple places, leading to inefficiencies.
"Students would write down their assignments in paper planners, but they wouldn’t always check them in time," explains Beth Adamczyk, Director of Technology. "Studyo changed that."
For Jessica Silverstein, a History and English teacher, the previous LMS was frustrating and outdated. "It felt like I was using a system from the 2002 Internet," she recalls. "Too many little buttons to click, slow, and just annoying to use."
Math teacher Dolores Pasciak, who initially preferred traditional methods like whiteboards and verbal reminders, was skeptical. "When Studyo became mandatory, I thought, ‘Oh no, this is going to take me forever to learn.’ But I was surprised at how easy it was to pick up."
The Solution
Implementing Studyo
Buffalo Seminary introduced Studyo in phases, allowing students and teachers time to adapt. One of the most significant turning points was Studyo’s integration with Google Classroom, eliminating the need for teachers to enter assignments twice.
"That changed everything for us," Jessica notes. "Teachers using Google Classroom no longer had to duplicate their work, making Studyo seamless."
By 2022, Studyo became the primary assignment hub for all students and teachers, regardless of their preferred platforms (Google or Microsoft). The result? Increased clarity, reduced workload redundancy, and greater consistency in student planning.
The Impact
Empowering Students and Teachers
With Studyo, students now proactively manage their workload rather than reacting to deadlines. Teachers can check student planners to provide targeted support, and parents receive weekly summary emails, keeping them informed about their child’s assignments. "Studyo is far superior to a paper planner because it gives students the ability to plan ahead and balance their workload," Beth emphasizes. "Teachers and administrators also gain insight into how students are managing their assignments."
Studyo’s flexibility also allows teachers to maintain autonomy while ensuring students have a centralized system for tracking assignments. "Some of us use Google Classroom, some use OneNote—Studyo doesn’t force us into one system. It just brings everything together for students," Jessica explains. Autonomy is a key factor in teacher retention at Buffalo Seminary, where educators value the ability to shape their curriculum and choose the tools that work best for their classrooms. Unlike many schools where strict technology mandates can create frustration, Buffalo Seminary’s approach ensures that teachers feel supported rather than restricted. "I like that we’re a school where teachers have choice. This flexibility has been essential in keeping teachers engaged and motivated," Jessica adds.
Opportunities for Growth
Unlcking Studyo’s Full Potential
While Studyo has significantly improved organization, the team at Buffalo Seminary sees opportunities for deeper engagement. Beth envisions Studyo evolving into a fully integrated executive function tool, helping students break down complex assignments into manageable steps.
Jessica highlights the need for more training on workload analytics. "Some students have completely personalized Studyo, using it as their main planning tool. Others need more instruction on breaking down assignments and managing their time."
A Strong Partnership with Studyo
Beyond the technology, all three educators emphasize the value of Studyo’s team. "They truly listen to what we need and are constantly improving the platform to make it work better for us," Beth says.
Dolores, a self-described reluctant tech adopter, acknowledges that training and support made her transition easier. "If there was more training, I’d attend! My advice to teachers new to Studyo? Don’t be intimidated. Just give it a try."
A vision for the future
Buffalo Seminary’s journey with Studyo has transformed student organization and teacher workflows. From an initial experiment to a school-wide essential tool, Studyo now plays a critical role in academic success. Looking ahead, Beth, Jessica, and Dolores envision Studyo becoming as indispensable as student laptops - a tool seamlessly integrated into daily learning.
"Nobody could teach without their laptops today. I want teachers and students to feel the same way about Studyo," Beth concludes.