Jul 26, 2019

The Journey Towards Future-Ready – Part II

In a previous blog, we heard Dr. Jill Siler, Superintendent of Gunter ISD (Texas), share her framework to move towards being more future-ready. The first post focused on envisioning your future in a way that was both thoughtful and strategic, as well as grounded in theory and practice. This post will continue discussing how to elevate expectations and foster a culture necessary to accomplish the work, to equip people to be successful in innovative practices, and to start thinking about how to extend our learning in the future.

Jul 19, 2019

Top 5 Resources in June 2019

Each month we publish blogs and several newsletters full of digital learning, funding, professional growth, social media, and STEM resources. Below are items from our blogs and newsletters that educators turned to the most in June.

Jul 12, 2019

The Journey Towards Future-Ready

Every district is on a journey. The incredible part of serving as a superintendent is having the privilege to help guide that journey based on what students need to be successful. When I came to Gunter ISD seven years ago, our students and staff were highly successful (test scores, extracurricular success, college-entry, etc.) yet our students, staff, and school community yearned for something more. At the same time, districts across the nation were launching technology initiatives, from BYOD to 1:1 with a multitude of devices. We were largely unable to journey down that path at the time due to a number of challenges. This shaped our journey immensely.

Jun 21, 2019

The Top 5 Resources in May 2019

Each month we publish blogs and several newsletters full of digital learning, funding, professional growth, social media, and STEM resources. Below are items from our blogs and newsletters that educators turned to the most in June.

Jun 14, 2019

Communicate – Collaborate – Create: Preparing Students for Jobs That Don’t Even Exist

In addition to communicating with humans and machines, tomorrow's jobs will require employees to collaborate with their fellow co-workers, as well as the machines that will be working side by side with our employees. By offering high tech learning environments, we will ensure our students have the skills and comfort level to collaborate with both humans and robotics in the workplace. 

Jun 07, 2019

Watch This to See What's Inside Our Latest K-12 eBook

May 24, 2019

Engaging Teaching is About Flexing Our Creative Muscles

May 17, 2019

Our Top Five Resources in April 2019

Each month we publish blogs and several newsletters full of digital learning, funding, professional growth, social media, and STEM resources. Below are items from our blogs and newsletters that educators turned to the most in April.

May 10, 2019

A Voice for Everyone

My colleague and I recently formed a bilingual parent group to strengthen our relationship with our Spanish speaking families. Parents repeatedly explained that the language barrier caused them to feel that they did not have a voice. Each parent expressed a desire to feel more connected to our school. Hearing this made me think, “How can we give a voice to the voiceless in our schools?” To overcome this barrier, we brought families together to record a video. Parents shared the importance of education in their families and then expressed what they wished teachers knew about them. The video has made such a strong impact in our community that it is now shown throughout Wisconsin.

May 03, 2019

Teaching Compassion and Culture in the Classroom

I have always been passionate about reaching the student that no one else feels they can reach or the student that is typically considered the underdog. I began to lose interest in school when I was in 7th grade. I could study and do the work if I put my mind to it, but I lost motivation quickly. I did not get that motivation back until I was a junior in college. I finally realized that I needed to get my life together. I feel like there are so many students out there like me who are lost and looking for direction. I want to be the teacher I needed at that point in my life. I wasn’t stupid, but I needed guidance to reach my full potential. Having a relationship with your students and knowing them well enough to recognize and respond to their needs is so important.

Apr 26, 2019

You Are Smart!

“I can’t do this, Ms. Boomsma. I just can’t.” A student of mine said this to me while we worked in the back of the room. “Kimberly can, but that’s because she’s just smarter at this kind of stuff than me.”

“You are smart! You can do anything! We’ll keep trying and working!” I said with determination.

Apr 19, 2019

We Are All Connected

“Ding, Ding, Ding.” The sound of the bell signals morning meeting—a great start to each day. A strong sense of community is built, and it sets students up for social and academic success. Every morning, students and teachers gather together in a circle for 10 to 20 minutes and purposefully interact with each other.

Apr 12, 2019

Our Top Five Resources for March 2019

Each month we publish several newsletters full of digital learning, funding, professional growth, social media, and STEM resources. Below are items from our blogs and newsletters that educators turned to the most in March.

Apr 05, 2019

Checking our Systems for Equity: Six Practical Ideas

As teachers, we must check our systems for equity each time we walk into our classrooms. The key word here is “systems,” for without thoughtful practices, even the most well-intentioned among us fall into the old traps of expediency, implicit bias, and tradition. Here are a few practical structures I use as equity checks that take very little time to implement.

Mar 29, 2019

Stayin’ Alive: Reflecting on Power of Poetry

By Stacey James McAdoo

“Poetry didn’t save my life; it saved yours.” This quote has been dancing around in my head for several days now. The poet who spoke these words meant them quite literally. If it had not been for the countless hours he spent developing, drafting, and delivering his words, he very well could have been out in the streets up to no good. Additionally, without the impact of his poetic words, someone else’s life may have been negatively impacted or even lost. This sentiment, though on the negative end of the spectrum, still communicates an important message: poetry is powerful, and it changes and saves lives.