By Eric Wells Redrawing school boundaries forces districts to balance many competing priorities: enrollment capacity, racial and economic equity, transportation logistics, and community expectations. A boundary that balances student numbers may inadvertently segregate by race. Efforts to equalize economic demographics can lengthen bus rides. Parents worry about disruptions to their children’s education. Without clear data … Read more

Did you know there are nearly 100 education conferences held each year around the world? With so many options—some local, some national, some international—deciding which conferences to attend can be overwhelming. Whether you are a classroom teacher, an education leader, or an edtech entrepreneur, the right conference can provide practical strategies, new tools, valuable professional … Read more

Welcome back to our Teacher Feature Series, where we speak with educators who teach online across borders. In this edition, we share the story of Lynette Irizarry and her work with 51Talk American Academy, now known as HAWO American Academy. Lynette, please tell us about yourself and welcome to the Teacher Feature series. Lynette Irizarry, … Read more

By Dr. Felicia Bolden Instructional coaching presents challenges for any school leader, especially when working with teachers who have never experienced coaching—whether they are new to the profession or seasoned veterans. Because teachers and school communities often emphasize strengths, it can be difficult for educators to acknowledge areas where growth is needed. With thoughtful, empathetic … Read more

By LeiLani Cauthen What lessons will we carry forward from the COVID-19 crisis, and how should education adapt? Understanding the patterns that shape institutions can help leaders make better decisions. One useful concept is the lifecycle: a rise, a period of maturity, and then decline. That arc applies to individuals, organizations, cities, and entire civilizations. … Read more

By Rowena Atkins Music plays a central role in youth culture. One of the first questions young people ask when they meet is “what music do you listen to?” Because music helps shape identity, it matters deeply to them. Research shows that making music boosts creativity, confidence, cognitive flexibility and mental well-being. It gives students … Read more

EduJedi Podcast: Dr. Lance Ford on the Digital Pivot, Connectivity Challenges, and the New Normal in Howe County Schools In this episode of the Learning Counsel’s EduJedi Podcast, host LeiLani Cauthen speaks with Dr. Lance Ford, Chief Technology Officer of Howe County Schools in Oklahoma. The conversation focuses on the district’s rapid pivot to digital … Read more

By Thom Markham Teachers as Agents of Change: A Call to Redesign Professional Learning When I suggest that teachers can lead the transformation of education, I often hear skepticism: teachers are seen as compliant rather than catalytic; they are trained to deliver instruction, not to advocate or innovate; and they are expected to maintain the … Read more

By Betsy Hill and Roger Stark “Will this help my child?” is one of the first and most important questions parents ask when they encounter cognitive assessment and training programs for children with an Autism Spectrum Diagnosis (ASD). The straightforward answer is that we cannot promise a universal result for every child. ASD is highly … Read more

By Zach Vander Veen I’m fascinated by decision processes, especially as my roles have required making more complex choices with broader consequences. Part of that curiosity is inward—examining why I make the decisions I do—which I’ve been exploring through the excellent book Thinking, Fast and Slow. That book forces you to question the cognitive shortcuts … Read more