Is Your Homework Meaningful or Just Busy Work?

Jeff GargasBlog, Innovation, Lesson Planning, Reflect Better, Student Engagement

The homework debate continues to divide educators, parents, and students. Some advocate for practice at home, believing it solidifies learning, while others argue that homework places unnecessary stress on students and families. Before I go further, I want to note that many educators question the equity of homework in general, because we simply cannot control what students go home to, … Read More

The 5 Things Every Professional Development Should Include

Chad OstrowskiBlog, Classroom Management, Differentiation, Innovation, Leadership, Lesson Planning, Professional Development, Student Engagement

Planning PD for your staff can be stressful. You want to make sure that the time and resources are well spent, your teachers are getting actionable value from it, and that you’re getting what you asked for from your PD provider. Working with schools and districts across the country has allowed our team to create and develop high-quality professional development … Read More

The Hidden Gaps in Your Professional Development Plan (And How to Fix Them)

Chad OstrowskiBlog, Leadership, Professional Development

Let’s be honest: Professional development planning is tough. You’re juggling state mandates, teacher needs, budget constraints, and dozens of competing priorities. So, it’s no surprise that even the best school leaders sometimes overlook critical gaps that quietly undermine their PD efforts. Here’s the good news: Once you uncover these gaps, you can fix them. What we’ve found is that most … Read More

Lessons from the Beach: How to Keep Students Enthusiastic About Learning

Jeremy RinkelBlog, Innovation, Reflect Better, Student Engagement, Teach Happier

TL;DR: Engage students by incorporating hands-on activities and integrating technology with purpose. Build a supportive classroom environment to foster excitement and investment in learning. Focus on creating impactful educational experiences for the upcoming school year. I go to the beach every summer to help me relax and recharge for the next school year. This year I was sitting in my … Read More