Tips, tools, and truths: Making PD meaningful in today’s classrooms
Choosing PD that aligns with educator goals, as well as exploring tech tools that extend professional learning, are key aspects of effective PD
As a classroom teacher and district leader with over 26 years of experience, I’ve attended countless professional development (PD) sessions. Some were transformative, others forgettable.
Top Stories
Beyond AI: Human connection still drives school attendance
At ISTE this summer, I lost count of how many times I heard “AI” as the answer to every educational challenge imaginable. Student engagement? AI-powered personalization!
3 steps to build belonging in the classroom
The first few weeks of school are more than a fresh start–they’re a powerful opportunity to lay the foundation for the relationships, habits, and learning that will define the rest of the year. During this time, students begin to decide whether they feel safe, valued, and connected in your classroom.
In training educators to use AI, we must not outsource the foundational work of teaching
I was conferencing with a group of students when I heard the excitement building across my third grade classroom. A boy at the back table had been working on his catapult project for over an hour through our science lesson, into recess, and now during personalized learning time.
Is gamification the key to achieving true inclusion in special education?
Key points: For students with special needs, learning can often resemble a trek through dense woods along a narrow, rigid path–one that leaves little to no room for individual exploration….
The complex dynamics of principal turnover in modern educational institutions
The departure and replacement of school principals represents one of the most significant organizational changes within educational institutions, creating ripple effects that permeate every aspect of school operations.
Preventing harm by connecting the dots in school safety
Swatting–false reports of school violence intended to trigger a police response–continues to increase across the country. During the 2022–2023 school year, nearly 64 percent of reported violent incidents in K–12 schools were linked to swatting.
Mental health screeners help ID hidden needs, research finds
A new DESSA screener to be released for the Fall ‘25 school year–designed to be paired with a strength-based student self-report assessment–accurately predicted well-being levels in 70 percent of students, a study finds.
From disconnection to partnership: How consistent communication transformed our school culture
When I became principal of Grant Elementary a decade ago, I stepped into a school community that needed to come together. Family involvement was low, staff morale was uneven, and trust between school and home had to be rebuilt from the ground up.
Sponsored Content
Advancing digital equity through teacher leadership
Meaningful opportunities for teachers to build expertise and leadership beyond their classroom add to a sense of professionalism and fulfillment. In an age when the role of technology in education is rapidly changing, why not allow teachers to lead the way?
Engaging the reluctant reader: Benefits of gamified learning in literacy education
On average, about 25 percent of children in the early grades struggle with reading. These students are often reluctant readers because they find the process complicated, and they lack confidence in their abilities.
Wearable tech helps students overcome central vision challenges
Central vision loss–a condition that impairs the ability to see objects directly in front of the eyes–can have profound academic and social impacts on K-12 students.
With AI coaching, a math platform helps students tackle tough concepts
Math is a fundamental part of K-12 education, but students often face significant challenges in mastering increasingly challenging math concepts.
