Back to school in 2026: The trends shaping K-12 education this year
Innovative Teaching
Popular and engaging teaching trends and instructional methods
Back to school in 2026: The trends shaping K-12 education this year
From AI and student engagement to teacher support, schools are entering the new year focused on turning innovation into meaningful impact
Answering the question behind the question
A routine student question can become an opportunity for better communication, stronger course design, and deeper learning
Don’t forget nature’s classroom
Outdoor learning environments support skills that are difficult to cultivate through traditional classroom instruction alone
Children learn best on paper: We need better technology, not less of it
Technology should make teachers' work lives easier and their impact more powerful, not have kids spend more time on screens
The future researcher in every fifth grader: The case for curiosity-first teaching
A Massachusetts teacher has spent her career building a classroom culture where fifth graders argue, wonder, and bring history home
Summer isn’t just a season, it’s a strategy
Lessons and research from 35 years in literacy and learning to close opportunity gaps, build partnerships, and make summer count for every child
Why so many students struggle in math before learning even begins
How aligning math instruction with how the brain learns opens access for every student
What it takes to build teacher confidence in math: 4 lessons for district leaders
As teacher confidence grows, something else begins to shift: how math feels in the classroom
The 4 keys to creating meaningful student-led inquiry
Inquiry-based learning can feel overwhelming, but is very possible to establish in the classroom
When a teacher ditched screens, class got harder. That may be why it worked.
More educators and policymakers are having second thoughts about the growth of ed-tech, with some school systems scaling back the use of screens
The next wave of K-12 innovation: How educators are shaping the future of edtech
The greatest innovations come from teachers who remove learning guardrails and show students the joy and excitement in trying something new
Fueling student passion for STEM with project-based learning
Through PBL, students actively engage in real-world problems that require them to use STEM concepts to solve complex problems
5 tips for educators using video
Educators can create instructional videos to save time, expand their reach, and create greater impacts on their students
Plenty of schools have no-zeroes policies. And most teachers hate it, a new survey finds
Many schools are rethinking what students should have to do to get a high school diploma, and how much emphasis should be put on grades
Teaching isn’t about perfection, it’s about showing up–here’s how to do that
At its heart, teaching is about reflecting, leaning on others, and always opening doors for all students
Back-to-school success for all: Building vital classroom skills
With occupational therapists integrated into daily classroom activities, student challenges can be addressed early, preventing them from becoming larger problems
4 tips to create an engaging digital syllabus
A digital syllabus can evolve into a classroom tool that simplifies classroom management and drives more engagement year-round
The power of instructional intent statements in assignment design
Weaving instructional intent statements into assignment design represents a shift toward more transparent, student-centered pedagogy
Why high schools should use teaching assistants
Adopting higher ed’s TA model could help reduce teacher workload and increase student outcomes
Why student engagement starts with teacher clarity
A professional learning and curriculum director shares how her district is reshaping professional development through teacher leadership and student voice
How Kai Cenat saved my high school English class
When students have opportunities to record their thoughts on video, they have a chance to communicate effectively in a modern medium
4 reflections on the end of the school year
As classrooms empty, educators can use insights from this school year to strengthen next year's teaching practices
4 ways to help students disagree without being disagreeable
Students must learn to handle disagreements with curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking
Beyond digital literacy: Why K-12 educators must prioritize data literacy
Using digital tools does not automatically mean students, or educators, understand the quality, context, or implications of the data they see
Opportunities in failing: Why K-12 education needs more productive struggle
Implementing failure in the classroom isn’t about making school harder--it’s about making learning more meaningful
Using technology to support learning through movement
The right technology can use the fun of physical activities to reinforce learning concepts
How to incorporate real-world connections into any subject area
Creating a real-world connection to classroom topics fosters a sense of responsibility and boosts student engagement
5 powerful ways to link STEM lessons to real-world applications
Engaging with STEM concepts helps students establish a foundation for lifelong learning and inquiry
A new era for teachers as AI disrupts instruction
The rise of AI-powered, online apps for instruction is allowing for mass learning at unprecedented speed and scale
Explicit instruction: Students need more of it
Explicit instruction is a deliberate progression of modeling, guided practice, and independent practice of a skill or a concept
Growing communicative, knowledge-building composers: A focus on process
Digital skills are skills students will use for life, and they’re already part of many state and national standards
Using free resources to connect the environment to education
Drawing connections between classroom topics and industries better prepares students to think critically and pushes them to live curiously
Empathy, adaptability, and real-world readiness: Supporting students in 2025
Support and flexibility in classroom learning can help students and their families thrive
Partnering for a global future: The Madrid connection
Global competency is not correlated to other areas of academic performance and must be directly taught
6 educator predictions about teaching and learning in 2025
K-12 teaching and learning trends are increasingly focused on fostering essential skills like critical thinking and adaptability to prepare students for the future
Turning classroom boredom into student brilliance
Educators can use boredom to their advantage by tailoring their content to meet student needs
Where AI and multimodal learning will go in 2025
The future of learning depends on a hybrid approach that combines unique human teaching with the versatility of AI
3 tips to authentically engage students in real-world STEM learning
Even reluctant students become interested in science when they know their work is applicable to the world around them
A CTE teacher shares 8 strategies to increase student engagement
There is no silver bullet to remedy student engagement--there are, however, strategies we can use to help our cause
How AI can unleash student curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking
