Having E-rate insight can protect school tech
When the Federal Communications Commission’s E-rate program first emerged in 1996, only 14 percent of the nation's K-12 classrooms were connected to the internet.
3 simple ways to use interactive whiteboards in preschool classrooms
To all the new preschool teachers, I hope this article brings you joy, motivation, and encouragement as you work to create warm and inspiring environments for your students…
Teachers: It’s time to make friends with AI
My first-year college students have a very narrow perspective of AI. “In high school,” wrote one student on an anonymous survey I give at the start of the…
Where AI and multimodal learning will go in 2025
From STEM to general education, the lessons we’ve learned through student and instructor feedback have proved universal. Students just don't want to be fed answers, and educators need…
Addressing the teacher shortage: Six strategies for inspiring future educators
As teacher shortages continue to challenge K-12 education, it’s essential for school and district administrators to create pathways for high school students to experience the teaching profession.
3 ways to connect to students and inspire their learning
A recent Gallup survey asked more than 2,000 Gen Z students which factors coalesce to make the best middle/high school teachers. I’m heartened by their clear frontrunner.
3 things you didn’t know your classroom management software could do
It's almost a truism among educators to say that classroom management is all about relationship management. Learning requires a great deal of vulnerability, and there's no doubt that…
5 steps to integrate STEM into student literacy
In the world of education, we can sometimes make the mistake of branding STEM and literacy as opposing disciplines. Reading is seen as a creative subject. It’s colorful,…
AI-enhanced tutoring: Bridging the achievement gap in American education
Closing the achievement gap and helping all students reach their full potential is not only a matter of equity, but also a key driver of economic growth and…
Teacher support is the key to unlocking AI’s classroom potential
Breakthroughs in large language models like ChatGPT hold vast potential to improve K-12 teaching and learning. LLMs can personalize learning, reduce teachers’ administrative burdens, and make more adaptive…
UO professor equips Oregon middle, high school students with virtual career counselor
Oregon middle-schoolers can now get a head start on picking a career path, thanks to a new tool powered by artificial intelligence and developed by a University of…
Students using AI: It’s not that scary and shouldn’t be banned
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming a cornerstone of modern technology, influencing industries from healthcare to entertainment. Yet, in the educational space, AI often stirs fear and skepticism…
Remote learning hurt high school grad rates–ditching exit exams helped
Until now, the story of how COVID affected who got their high school diploma went something like this: Graduation rates dipped a little for the class of 2021,…
3 tips to authentically engage students in real-world STEM learning
Earlier this year, I was teaching science to a group of rising 9th grade students involved in a summer learning program. Students had the opportunity to engage in…
How AI is transforming learning for dyslexic students
For dyslexic students, the traditional educational system--often reliant on heavy reading loads and conventional assessments--can be particularly overwhelming.
AI and teacher burnout: Can technology really help?
Teachers are facing ever-growing demands: providing quality lessons, attending to individual student needs, and managing administrative loads that stretch their time and energy to the limit.
Why SEL must be part of the chronic absenteeism solution
Chronic absenteeism remains a nationwide challenge, despite efforts to return to normalcy post-pandemic. And the data suggests we are far from solving it. Right now, one in four classroom…
Do AP classes matter in college admissions?
The competitive nature of college admissions can leave students in a panic, desperate to prove their academic excellence. Admissions officers and experts get asked all the time how…
District leaders express gratitude for special education staff
The demand for special education services is increasing, with about 15 percent of public school students eligible for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
This season, finding my gratitude in art and teaching
My students surprise me with their creativity and resilience. They’re not just kids in a special education school; they’re individuals who teach me new ways to view art…
Using robots to teach creativity, collaboration, and self-confidence
At Jacksonville Independent School District we like to combine social-emotional learning with coding education. Here’s how it has worked since we introduced virtual robotics at our middle school.
How to prepare for a school cybersecurity audit
School cybersecurity audits don’t have to be stressful. If you know what to expect, you can be well prepared and set yourself up for future success. The effort…
Beyond translations: Effective scaffolds to support ELLs
As schools continue to serve an increasingly diverse student body, many educators face the challenge of meeting the needs of English Language Learners (ELLs) in content-rich classrooms.
7 reasons to ditch recipe-style science labs
Elementary science lessons often follow a rigid, textbook-driven approach, with students passively following predetermined procedures and observing expected outcomes.
As a paradeducator, here’s how I use tech to help neurodivergent students gain agency
As a paraeducator, I see how the most basic uses of classroom technology can create barriers for my students--especially those who struggle with executive functions.
5 ways school districts can create successful community partnerships
In many ways, schools are central to an entire community. They unite students, families, educators, and local organizations, fostering a sense of belonging and collaboration.
Trump picks Linda McMahon to lead, and possibly dismantle, Education Department
Former professional wrestling executive and billionaire Linda McMahon is President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the U.S. Department of Education, an agency Trump has pledged to dismantle.
6 ways to create engaging elementary learning spaces
Key points: When our district decided to build a brand-new elementary school to support its growing student enrollment, we wanted ... Read more
Understanding dyslexia: Why early diagnosis and intervention matter
For years, parents and educators around the country have been warning that prevalent approaches to literacy are not working, and state legislatures are responding.
Sailing through adversity: 4 Olympic-sized lessons in educational leadership
When Lara Dallman-Weiss and Stuart McNay set sail together at the 2024 Paris Olympics, they weren't just navigating open waters--they were challenging traditional norms in a sport historically…
Real-life work experiences: The unseen curriculum for high school success
In the bustling halls of high schools across America, students race between classes, their backpacks heavy with textbooks and their minds laden with academic expectations. Yet, a vital…
A CTE teacher shares 8 strategies to increase student engagement
As classroom teachers, one of the many challenges we face is student engagement. With the changing landscape of education, how do we keep students focused and provide them…
Strategies to craft effective PD for schools and districts
The best teacher professional development is an empowering experience that equips educators with the skills and insights they need to grow and thrive in their careers.
5 ways we used our literacy platforms to engage students
With a student population that’s roughly 85 percent Hispanic, our K-8 academy faces some interesting-but-not-insurmountable literacy challenges.
Equitable access to AI in classrooms is a problem–the solution is professional learning
Generative AI is transforming the nature of work in many fields. One analysis claims more than 60 percent of the jobs in advanced economies will be supported by…
How AI can unleash student curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking
Maybe it’s just me, but it feels as though AI is starting to take over the world. To be clear, I don’t mean this in an “evil robots”…
3 keys to making math engaging
One of the challenges to getting students engaged in math is the perception that it's a subject where you sit at a desk and do 30 math problems…
Enhancing media literacy skills in the age of AI
Media literacy has emerged as a critical skillset in today's digital landscape. As individuals increasingly consume content from many platforms, understanding how to discern credible information from misinformation…
Trump has won a second term–here’s what that means for schools
On the campaign trail, Donald Trump pledged to get rid of the U.S. Department of Education, expand school choice, roll back new protections for LGBTQ students, and deport…
The four promises of school: Building a future-focused, student-centered learning environment
In today’s rapidly evolving world, the role of education is more critical than ever. Our schools must not only impart knowledge to our students but also equip them…