How a former music teacher approaches school leadership and learning

The pandemic has taught us that change is inevitable, but being prepared can set a school apart. It’s important to bring together research and outside learning tools to a team that is always striving and driving in the same direction. As a principal, I’m enthusiastic about what lies ahead for our school and district after a year of adjustments.

Like the characters in the Ron Clark book, Move Your Bus, we are all independently and collectively moving together to reach a positive objective. As a former music teacher, I see it as an orchestrated process where all members, from school leadership to teachers to custodial staff, realize their role, importance, and dynamic in the school’s overall symphony. It takes communication, organized teamwork, and a belief in modern data-driven approaches to bring forth learning success.

A school is an orchestra…Read More

Edtech startup HEI Schools raises €2 million in series A funding to bring Finland´s renowned early education model worldwide

The new financing allows the company to accelerate the growth of the digital offering of curriculum programs and teacher training to reach millions across the globe

Helsinki, Finland, April 2020
Award-winning, research-based early education concept, HEI Schools, has announced that it has completed a 2 million Euro Series A round of financing. The financing was co-led by Practica Capital and Tesi, Finnish Industry Investment. 

HEI Schools, which was founded 2015 together with the University of Helsinki, one of the world´s top universities in educational sciences, is a pioneer in providing a unique Finnish brand of research-based early education globally. The company is offering a premium learning center concept, an easy-to-use digital curriculum platform and pedagogical tools for educational operators and teachers outside of Finland to use.…Read More

How to use VR for engaging art lessons

There’s no shortage of interactive digital tools for the classroom, and virtual reality is no exception. Virtual reality can help engage students in all manner of lessons, including art class.

I’m really into using tech in my art classroom in any way (read about how I use Plickers in art) and I based one of my Masters assignments on research around technology, differentiation, and self-paced learning. I’m usually tweeting about it, too.

If you’re interested in getting to know a bit more about edtech and self-paced learning, this TED Talk by Salman Khan called ‘Let’s Use Video to Reinvent Education’ is a good starting place.…Read More

New Innovative SEL Tool from Aperture Education helps High School Students Build Skills for College and Career

The Aperture Student Portal includes gamified goal-setting and SEL self-assessments offering a research-backed approach to understanding students’ needs

Goal-setting and having a voice in their own learning are powerful motivators for students, especially those in high school. To help educators use these strategies to support social and emotional learning (SEL), Aperture Education has created the Aperture Student Portal for high school students, an online platform that gives students access to the DESSA-High School Edition Student Self-Report, goal-setting tools, and immediate feedback to help them grow in their social and emotional competencies. These competencies, which include self-management, personal responsibility, decision making and more, are vital for career and college readiness and imperative for any student navigating the dynamic challenges of distance or hybrid learning. The platform is gamified to optimize student engagement and motivation. Because the portal can be accessed online, teachers can use it to support SEL both in the classroom and during distance learning.

“SEL assessments help teachers understand students’ strengths and needs so they can plan individual and school-wide interventions and evaluate student progress. And we know giving students a voice in their learning is important, especially for high school students,” said Jessica Adamson, CEO of Aperture Education. “Our Aperture Student Portal provides an engaging way for high school students to take stock of their social and emotional strengths and needs – and helps them strengthen their skills. It is also a great way for teachers to support SEL when they can’t be with students in-person or don’t have a dedicated time to focus on SEL during the school day.”…Read More