Rethinking Teacher Evaluations: Consistency Over Performance

Chad OstrowskiBlog, Innovate Better, Lead Better, Lesson Plan Better, Manage Better, Reflect Better, The Grid Method

The topic of teacher evaluations often stirs a mix of anxiety and debate among educators. I feel the stress and anxiety in classrooms all around the country. While these assessments aim to measure teaching effectiveness, they tend to (more often than we’d all like to admit) promote a culture of “performance” lessons—special classes designed to impress school leaders. This raises … Read More

Why Black History Belongs in Every Classroom All Year

Suzanne RogersBlog, Connect Better, Engage Better, Lead Better, Manage Better, Personalize Student Learning Better

Why Black History Belongs in Every Classroom Year-Round Despite Black individuals’ profound contributions and enduring legacies throughout history, the full breadth of Black experiences remains underrepresented in many school curricula. This gap denies students a comprehensive education and hinders the opportunity to foster a more inclusive and informed society. To address this disparity, educators must champion the integration of Black … Read More

Uplifting Your Teachers in The Second Half

Dana GoodierBlog, Lead Better

TL;DR: Getting back into things after a tough first semester can be challenging. Look for ways to help teachers win in the second half of the year. Look for ways to celebrate the good work teachers have done all year. Regardless of your role, there are many opportunities to uplift your teachers and help them finish the rest of the … Read More

School Board Appreciation Month: Honoring Education’s Unsung Heroes

Suzanne RogersBlog, Lead Better

January is School Board Appreciation Month, a time to honor those shaping the quality of our education. School board members work tirelessly behind the scenes to create opportunities for student success. Let’s explore why they deserve our gratitude and how their efforts improve education. Representing Community Values School board members are elected representatives, serving as the community’s voice in the … Read More

Why Personalized Professional Development Is a Game-Changer for Teachers

Jeff GargasBlog, Engage Better, Innovate Better, Lead Better, Reflect Better

TL;DR: Personalized professional development tailors growth opportunities to individual educators’ needs, improving engagement, practicality, and flexibility. This approach fosters meaningful classroom impact through coaching, self-directed learning, and actionable feedback. Personalized professional development is exactly what it sounds like—tailoring growth opportunities to fit the unique needs of each individual educator. In today’s ever-changing classroom environments, the old “one-size-fits-all” approach to professional … Read More