EmpowerU Launches Platform to Streamline Expert Social-Emotional Learning and Support for K–12 Students

(September 23, 2021—Minneapolis, MN) EmpowerU has reimagined the online portal to its highly personalized, data-driven social-emotional learning (SEL) solution. Refined through extensive beta testing, the new portal is designed to be more personalized and intuitive for the students and educators who use it. As districts around the country face ever-growing SEL and mental well-being needs among the students they serve, EmpowerU helps schools scale their counseling and support services—without hiring more staff.

“Our first EmpowerU platform was highly effective at helping schools provide students with evidence-based SEL interventions powered by real, caring people on the other side of the screen,” said Katie Dorn, MA, LSC, MFT, EmpowerU’s founder and licensed school counselor and family therapist. “As we talked with EmpowerU students, we realized how much they valued the daily support of their EmpowerU coach—and they wanted an integrated way to access their feedback and encouragement. Our new platform does just that. We’ve created a seamless user interface that is focused on the student journey, as we continue to deliver highly customized and personalized online coaching in small, digestible bites that fuel student growth.”

Key features of the new EmpowerU platform include:…Read More

TutorMe Donates $100,000 in Tutoring Services to Racine Unified School District

LOS ANGELES (Sept. 23, 2021) — TutorMe, the online tutoring solution of the future, announced today that after a nationwide call for applicants, the team selected Racine Unified School District (RUSD) in Wisconsin to receive $100,000 worth of tutoring services. This donation provides the students of Racine Unified free 24/7 access to live tutors in more than 300 subjects to support learning recovery from school closures and remote learning due to the pandemic as well as address existing learning gaps.

According to Janell Decker, the deputy chief academic officer, some RUSD students are entering high school behind in reading and math, especially after the past year and a half, with so much disruption to the educational environment. RUSD is looking for additional resources and supports to ensure all students are on track. Instead of taking up state-mandated instructional time for added interventions, Decker said, “TutorMe can easily be incorporated into various times during and outside the school day, so this will help us tremendously!”

TutorMe’s network of more than 15,000 tutors will help address learning losses due to school closures and other disruptions during the past academic year. Participating schools in RUSD have received implementation support to get their staff and students comfortable with the TutorMe platform, which students will access via Chromebooks provided by the district.…Read More

3 ways to personalize your digital PLN

I am currently in an online doctoral program at Winona State University. One of our recent discussion queries required answering the following prompt: “Share three pieces of your own PLN that you think would be helpful to the others.”

I wasn’t quite sure if I should share platforms, tips, or connections, so I will be sharing three things I wish I would have considered sooner than later.

1. Drop the IRL

I have listened and visited with Angela Maiers–an educator, consultant, and speaker–a number of times. One thing that she frequently shares in her keynotes is around dropping the “IRL” (in real life) mentality when talking with your online PLN. For those who connect with you virtually, a digital relationship is IRL. You may never physically meet these individuals due to logistics, geography, or time and that is ok. Such relationships do not necessarily become instantly more meaningful when you meet in the same moment of time or space.…Read More

Online Courses from Vector Solutions Help Schools Address Pandemic-Related Behavioral Challenges

Tampa, FL – September 20, 2021 – For many students, the stress and challenges of the pandemic may have caused regression both socially and emotionally and in terms of their behavior.  To support teachers and administrators this school year, Vector Solutions, the leading provider of training and software solutions to help schools make their operations and communities safer, smarter and better, has created a new set of online training courses addressing some of the most common behavioral challenges expected this school year.

The “ Back to School Behavior Management Course Bundle” includes 15 evidence-based training courses in the areas of managing challenging student behaviors, key behavioral disabilities, and essential processes and procedures for handling behavior appropriately and safely.

“We’ve heard a lot about the need to tackle pandemic-related ‘learning loss’ this school year, but if we don’t support students’ behavioral, social, and emotional needs, they may not be able to focus on academics,” said Vector Solutions CEO Marc Scheipe. “Our new courses provide valuable training to help teachers and administrators safely address these behaviors and help students focus on learning.”…Read More

How 5 student entrepreneurs built a mental health tool for their peers

In 2020, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing reported that one in six children under the age of 18 experiences a mental health disorder each year. The pandemic has drastically changed the lives of high schoolers as academic institutions shifted to online or hybrid learning, leading to increased feelings of anxiety, depression, and isolation.

To prove that data point for ourselves, we conducted our own mental health survey, which revealed 100 percent of respondents knew someone suffering from a mental health-related illness. Yes, 100 percent.

That’s when we discovered the need to develop a new peer-led support tool for students who are experiencing mental health difficulties. Concerned by watching our peers drown in anxiety and depression, we decided to create an accessible and supportive safe space for our classmates and for our own mental health research.…Read More

ASU Prep Digital Forges Partnership With Ohio Charter School Network To Reduce Student Learning Loss Due To Covid Quarantine

ARIZONA AND OHIO (Sept. 16, 2021) – After powering through a year or more of remote and hybrid learning due to COVID, a significant share of traditional school districts are returning to familiar in-person models this school year. Even so, the advantages of online learning remain clear, particularly in the event of student quarantines. In Cleveland, one forward-thinking network of schools is offering students and their families a first-of-its-kind solution to keep students up to date with the school content and curriculum they have the potential to miss because of a COVID quarantine.

A new offering called Learning Under Quarantine from ASU Prep Digital, envisioned for Breakthrough Public Schools in collaboration with The 305 Education Group, is now in place. To prevent COVID learning losses, ASU Prep Digital provides online instructors to teach Cleveland-area students who miss in-person learning due to a 10-day quarantine. This innovative approach increases teaching and learning time simultaneously, while providing a practical solution for schools that simply do not have the human or financial resources to operate dual in-person and online models.

During the 2020-21 school year, Breakthrough – one of the highest-performing public, nonprofit charter school networks in Ohio – only operated remotely. However, for the 2021-22 academic year, network leaders knew changes were necessary.…Read More

3 ways technology paves the way for more student engagement

As we enter the 2021-2022 school year, many of us are still reeling from the last one. Last year was defined by massive changes to the learning landscape. The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting stay-at-home orders meant that students and teachers alike were forced to shift to online or hybrid learning overnight. Now, more than a year later, educators, students, and parents have been able to reflect on their experiences with online learning. 

While many have faced obstacles in integrating distance learning—any abrupt change operates on a learning curve—it’s also become clear that technology-based learning is essential to education to allow students to learn from wherever they are and prepare them for the future. These key benefits allow us to engage students and bring them in as active participants in their continued education more fully. 

Allow learning to happen anywhere…Read More

New Mexico State Department of Education Partners with 7 Mindsets to Launch New Online Social Emotional Learning Portal

ATLANTA  – Sept. 14, 2021 – 7 Mindsets, the leader in online social emotional learning (SEL) solutions, and New Mexico’s Public Education Department have partnered to make free SEL resources available through a new online state portal. Starting in early September, the portal will give students, parents, and educators no-cost access to 7 Mindset’s SEL courses and curriculums, leadership training, and teacher professional development.

The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) has found that SEL positively impacts students’ school performance and decreases behavior problems and emotional distress.

Additionally, New Mexico’s education department reports that 26% of the state’s children live in poverty. Consequently, families of those students have fewer resources and supports for fostering their children’s development. Plus, severe stress and depression resulting from such hardships often interfere with effective parenting.…Read More

Gale Launches New Accredited Online Adult High School Program to Public Libraries

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. – September 11, 2021 – Gale, part of Cengage Group, today announced the launch of Gale Presents: Excel Adult High School, a new online accredited diploma completion program available to public libraries. In partnership with Excel Education Systems, the program is designed to help adults obtain their high school diploma entirely online, as well as prepare them for college and the workplace. This new program comes as the nation’s economy is working to rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic, enabling libraries to provide their communities with education services that create economic growth through the development of future workforces.

Currently, there are an estimated 30 million American adults without a high school diploma.[i] In addition, the pandemic created the highest jobless rate since the Great Recession and unemployment rates were highest for those workers without a high school diploma. With Gale Presents: Excel Adult High School, libraries are providing local economic value through workforce development by helping adult learners reach their education and career goals.

“We partnered with Excel Education Systems because they are a leader in adult learning and have an exceptional focus on supporting adults who wish to re-enter the education system,” said Paul Gazzolo, senior vice president and general manager at Gale. “As a trusted partner to public libraries, Gale understands the importance of access to education, particularly for underserved and at-risk populations. With Gale Presents: Excel Adult High School, we are helping public libraries change lives. Earning a high school diploma leads to better jobs with larger salaries, attending college and most importantly, a feeling of pride that comes with achieving your dreams.”…Read More

Linewize Acquires Online Safety Provider Smoothwall, Hires Digital Wellness Expert Teodora Pavkovic

SAN DIEGO, September 10, 2021 – Linewize, a division of FamilyZone (ASX: FZO), a rapidly growing education technology company now serving more than 9 million K-12 students across the globe, today announced:

  • The acquisition of U.K-based software company Smoothwall, one of the world’s largest online student safety providers.
  • A strategic hire with the addition of psychologist Teodora Pavkovic as Lead Cyber Safety & Digital Wellness Expert.

Both moves increase Linewize’s presence and foothold in the K-12 cyber safety space during a critical time, positioning them to deliver a more comprehensive portfolio of online safety and parental control products and further enabling Linewize to deliver on their goal of protecting every child’s digital journey, from the classroom to the home.

Linewize Acquires Smoothwall…Read More

3 unexpected ways online PD strengthened my teaching

As a science educator, I love showing my students the wonders of the world. I encourage them to always be curious, ask questions, and seek out new knowledge and skills. An important part of my job is modeling lifelong learning for my students—and one of my favorite ways to do that is by honing my skills in professional learning courses.

I’ve participated in a variety of professional development (PD) courses throughout my teaching career, but some of the most powerful ones I’ve experienced have been the free, short, self-paced courses from the National Geographic Society. These online PD courses cover everything from developing an “explorer mindset” in students to methods of empowering students to tell impactful stories. The courses surpassed my expectations of what an online professional learning course can be—and how easily I can translate what I’ve learned in these courses into my classroom activities and instruction.

Here are three of the lasting impacts that these courses had on me as a teacher–and as a person.…Read More

4 strategies to boost student engagement

As the beginning of the school year is creeping up on us, many schools are reconsidering the need for online options. There are too many variables at play right now for any educator to feel they have everything under control for this school year. Historically, stability was often a reason for many to enter the education field, but stability is nowhere to be seen this fall. As educators struggle with keeping a variety of balls in the air, one of the key issues in all settings is how to keep students motivated and engaged.

Recently, a study of rural elementary teachers outlined a few key factors for engaging students and then keeping them engaged online.

The first suggestion from elementary teachers was to start the course by setting the stage with a clear set of behavior expectations for students working online. Simple things like expecting students to keep their cameras active, how to attract the teacher’s attention by raising their hand via video or using a Zoom tool, etc. This is not particularly different than setting beginning of the year behavior expectations in a traditional classroom. Students always appreciate having clear expectations. Interestingly, only about a third of teachers responded that they had set video lesson expectations at the beginning of last year.…Read More