Some lessons fade and some last for years. Why?
As educators, we have spent countless hours discussing what makes learning last. Why do some lessons fade from memory as quickly as they’re taught, while others stick with students for years?
The answer, we believe, lies in the power of moments—the moments that make learning not just an intellectual exercise, but an emotional experience. It’s this emotion, not lectures, repetition, or memorization, that cements learning and makes experiences unforgettable.
Think about your daily commute. Most drives blur together into an unremarkable routine. But if a deer suddenly jumps in front of your car, the adrenaline rush makes that moment indelible. The emotional intensity cements the experience in your memory.
To cultivate a culture of “forever learning,” educators must transcend traditional teaching by transforming learning from mundane tasks to meaningful engagements that stir both emotion and intellect. Every day is a new opportunity to set the course for an exhilarating adventure in the classroom, inspiring curiosity and igniting a thirst for understanding that goes beyond textbooks and exams.
Unfortunately, too many school days are like the daily drive—predictable and forgettable. But when we create peak moments—those emotional, extraordinary experiences—we break the routine, elevate the experience and turn the pursuit of knowledge into a lifelong, joyous endeavor.
Science of memorable experiences
In their book, The Power of Moments, Chip and Dan Heath explain how we remember experiences based on two critical points: the peak (the most intense or extraordinary moment) and the end. These moments shape how we perceive and recall an event far more than the hours or days in between.
When emotions are connected to learning, this insight is transformative. In fact, research shows that attention, learning and memory and cognitive reasoning in students are all accelerated by emotion. Students will not remember the worksheet they filled out, but they will never forget the day you turned the classroom into a concert, a rocket launch or an Olympic stadium.
These peak moments and powerful endings—when curiosity is sparked and connections with classmates are solidified—transform lessons into unforgettable stories that stay with students for life. Learning becomes a lasting memory, not a fleeting task.
Creating peak moments in schools
By creating a space where students can joyfully explore, experiment and play, schools across the country are discovering just how impactful learning through emotion can be.
At Eminence Independent Schools in Kentucky, the philosophy of “Surprise and Delight” is embedded into the district’s DNA. Visionary educators have carefully crafted moments to elevate the student experience—such as hosting an impromptu dance party, launching a surprise lesson design to solve a community-wide program or inviting speakers—from a reindeer farmer to a local author—into the classroom.
They’ve also creatively transformed classrooms into “Alice in Numberland” to enhance an elementary math unit and a Prohibition-era speakeasy for a high school history class. These moments help break the monotony, capture students’ emotions and create memories that last a lifetime.
Joy is the No. 1 promise in Eastern Hancock Schools’ strategic plan. Through the work of a “joy integration specialist,” teachers are supported in designing peak moments that inspire creativity and connection. Whether having Paul Revere ride past the classroom on a horse during a 5th-grade lesson to celebrating each student’s birthday on Everybody’s Birthday Day, educators ensure that students don’t just learn—they remember.
This focus on joy has expanded beyond Eastern Hancock’s doors to classrooms across Indiana with the annual Joy Jam event. This fun-filled professional development opportunity brings together educators to celebrate the transformative power of joyful learning and share ideas for creating unforgettable moments in schools.
Turning ordinary days into extraordinary experiences
As the Heath brothers remind us, people don’t remember days—they remember moments. If we want students to recall what they’re learning, we must focus on creating those peak moments and powerful endings in school.
At Eminence, Eastern Hancock, and other districts that strive to make every school day one to remember, we are committed to making emotional engagement a cornerstone of education. By fostering emotion, we lay the groundwork for experiences that students enthusiastically reflect on long after they’ve left the classroom.
Incorporating these values into the daily rhythm of education ensures that learning becomes more than a requirement—it becomes a cherished part of life. Thus, cultivating “forever learning” is not just a strategy—it’s a commitment to experiences that last a lifetime.
