Article Summary Not choosing an instructional framework doesn’t create freedom. It creates uncertainty. This post explains why avoiding a shared instructional framework often leads to confusion, isolation, and inconsistent expectations for teachers and students. It explores what teachers actually experience without a framework, what leaders think they’re protecting, and why intentional frameworks support autonomy rather than limit it. Leaders often … Read More
Mastery Learning Breaks Down When Leaders Treat It Like a Classroom Strategy
TL;DR (Too Long;Didn’t Read) Mastery learning doesn’t fail because of teachers. It fails when systems don’t support it.This post explains why mastery learning breaks down when it’s treated as a classroom-level strategy instead of a system-wide commitment. It explores what teachers are really experiencing, the leadership blind spots that undermine mastery, and what schools must design for if mastery learning … Read More
Eliminating Student “Escape Routes” to Foster Accountability
TL;DR (Too Long, Didn’t Read) Students often disengage when systems allow them to opt out of learning without consequence. In this post, Chad Ostrowski explores how traditional instructional structures can create hidden “escape routes” and offers practical strategies to increase accountability, promote reflection, and foster true mastery. By removing opportunities to avoid effort, teachers can build classrooms where perseverance and … Read More
Reclaim Your Classroom: Building Calm, Connected, High-Performing Learning Environments
TL;DR (Too Long, Didn’t Read) Teaching feels harder when behavior gets in the way of learning. This post explores how calm, connected, high-performing classrooms are built through clear expectations, consistent structure, and strong relationships. By teaching behavior as intentionally as we teach academics, avoiding power struggles, and leading with empathy, educators can reclaim instructional time, reduce burnout, and rediscover joy … Read More
Professional Learning Worth Showing Up For
There is a moment I can feel in my body, right after someone says, “We are going to honor your time today,” and right before the 47-slide deck begins. In that instant, I decide whether to brace myself or take a 47-minute bathroom break. More than once, teachers have told me they planned to call out sick on a PD … Read More