How Do I Know If I Am Ready To Lead A PD Session?

Alex T. ValencicBlog, Leadership

TL;DR: Presenting at an education conference or district professional development day can be scary. You are the only one who can tell your story. You can design professional learning that informs, inspires, and invites change. I still remember the first time I led a teacher professional development session. My district had done a call for presenters for a teacher institute … Read More

The Impact of A School Administrator

Susan JachymiakBlog, Leadership

It is the start of a new year, and I have been thinking about habits and goals that I want to see myself accomplish this year. I started habit tracking last year, and I have been exercising at the gym for 30 minutes a day, reading for at least 20 minutes a day, and doing a Duolingo Spanish lesson each … Read More

Rethinking Teacher Evaluations: Consistency Over Performance

Chad OstrowskiBlog, Classroom Management, Innovation, Leadership, Lesson Planning, 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, Classroom Management, Leadership, Personalized Learning, Student Engagement

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, Leadership

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