K12LEADERS

Category: Leadership Voices

  • ‘Hey, I grew that’: the Native American school that’s decolonizing foodways

    ‘Hey, I grew that’: the Native American school that’s decolonizing foodways

    Originally published by The Guardian at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/mar/07/native-american-school-decolonizing-foodways

    At the Native American Community Academy in Albuquerque, New Mexico, food is much more than just nourishment. It’s a way to reconnect students with their indigenous roots and decolonize their diets and foodways from the impacts of colonialism and forced assimilation.

    The school, which serves students from over 100 different tribal nations, has made it a mission to serve traditional Native foods like blue corn, squash, beans, and chile in the cafeteria. The meals are a stark contrast to the processed, industrialized foods that have become prevalent on reservations.

    Nutritionist Amidah Sanchez, who is Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo, says reclaiming ancestral foods is key to addressing the health disparities facing Native communities. Rates of diabetes, obesity, heart disease and other diet-related illnesses are disproportionately high among Native populations.

    But for the educators at NACA, it’s about much more than just nutrition. Language teacher Jeremy Wahahrockah-Tso, who is Navajo, emphasizes the cultural and spiritual importance of these foods and foodways that were nearly lost due to centuries of forced assimilation policies aimed at stripping Natives of their identities.

    Students spend classroom time learning about the history and traditions around foods like corn, a sacred crop central to many indigenous cultures. In the school’s gardens, they get hands-on experience growing traditional crops like the “three sisters” – corn, beans and squash.

    They also take field trips into the forests of the nearby Sandia Mountains and high desert to harvest foods like cholla buds, piñon nuts and lamb’s quarter greens – the same places their ancestors hunted and gathered in for centuries before their lands were stolen.

    Back in the cafeteria, the staff works hard to incorporate these foraged and gardened ingredients into tasty and nutritious meals like blue corn mutton stew, squash empanadas and salads with fresh wildings. It’s an effort to make healthier Native foods appealing to young palates.

    For students like 15-year-old Esther Garcia, who is Pueblo, learning to grow and prepare these ancestral foods is deeply empowering and has given her a newfound pride in her heritage. As she puts it: “This food is who we are.”

    Decolonizing diets is just a small but vital part of the broader mission at NACA to revitalize Native languages, cultures and traditions after generations of violent suppression. By reclaiming their ancestral foodways, they are nourishing bodies, souls and communities – planting seeds for a healthier and more resilient future.

    At the Native American Community Academy, food is far more than just what’s served at mealtime. It’s a powerful vehicle for cultural revitalization, decolonization, health and healing in indigenous communities.

  • Advertising Cookies and Mental Health…

    Advertising Cookies and Mental Health…

    I was doing some research this morning on student and teacher mental health as we have a couple of growing wellness communities on K12leaders.  In the middle of a good article, with actual hard numbers about a very serious topic, I get to make a choice to have a cookie.  And, reading the bright red notice, not just a single cookie, but if I eat one I have to eat the whole bag… unless I put them back myself.

    Awkward metaphor?  I don’t think so…  I can share that it distracted me enough to write up this quick post… and to ask these question:

    As an educator, district leader, or researcher, how does this make you feel?  Would this distract you from the value of the content?  Make you rethink the site you’re reading it on?

    Are you resolved to this reality?  How well do you understand what a cookie is?  Do you know the difference between and “advertising cookie” and a “performance cookie?”  (Chips Ahoy v. Cliff bar, maybe?)

    And now, back to my research… in a sec. I’m getting some more coffee. And maybe a snack.

    Posted by: Mike Bronder

    Michael Bronder is one of the co-founders of K12Leaders and has invested his career in supporting teaching and learning at all levels… military, corporate, higher ed, and K12.

  • Cultivating Leadership at All Levels

    Cultivating Leadership at All Levels

    Perhaps you’ve already heard the difference between managing and leading. If not, the Harvard Business Review notes:

    Management consists of controlling a group or a set of entities to accomplish a goal. Leadership refers to an individual’s ability to influence, motivate, and enable others to contribute toward organizational success. 

    There is no mention of where in the hierarchy of an organization a leader emerges, so why do we usually think that a leader needs to be in a role on the top steps of the hierarchy? Schools are organizations with many examples of leaders at lower levels of the hierarchy, like teachers and staff, that demonstrate leadership. I think when we discuss who is a leader, we should consider their ability to influence, motivate, and enable others, as mentioned above. However, due to the normalization of leadership = higher position, many teacher leaders don’t view themselves that way or minimize their ability to rise to positions on the hierarchy of leadership. In this case, those in positions of leadership have a responsibility to take note of and mentor staff who don’t see themselves as leaders or have leadership potential. How can leaders already in positions of power on the hierarchy support those who have the potential but either don’t perceive themselves as having the skills or are fearful of taking on a leadership role or even leading a specific project?

    When I was the elementary principal at a private, all-female American curriculum school in Kuwait, my team included teachers from all over the globe and had a variety of degrees from a variety of universities.  It was my responsibility to manage the day-to-day routines as well as to guide change and improvement in teaching and learning. There was no way I could do all that if I didn’t delegate some of my responsibilities to teachers and para-professionals who would benefit from the experience of taking a leadership role in some tasks. Some of the women I tapped on the shoulder asked me how I knew they would be able to lead a task or project. I told them I had observed them in their teaching role and also how they handled their students and worked with their team members. Some were fearful of failure if they led the task and politely told me they were not ready. I respected their decision even if I didn’t agree. Many who took up my challenge applied for positions as head of a department or as vice-principal. Para-professionals I mentored returned to complete their undergraduate degrees or complete a teacher certification and then applied for teaching positions. 

    So, what key traits did I notice in my team members that showed me they had leadership potential? 

    Here are my top 5:

    They are…

    1. Self-motivated 
    2. Long-term thinkers who don’t fear change
    3. Relationship-builders and team players
    4. Empathetic and Compassionate 
    5. Decisive after listening to and considering alternatives

    Self-motivation is key to leading. You can’t wait for someone else to come up with an idea or push you forward. You need to wake up in the morning ready for action and be organized enough to make things happen.

    Being a forward-thinker means seeing into the future while being grounded in the present and understanding the past. It also means you are able to plan short-term to reach a long-term goal. And finally, it means you aren’t afraid of change because you are planning for it. 

    Building healthy professional relationships is also key to effective leadership. Leading isn’t a solo endeavor. It’s a team effort. Little can be accomplished if you don’t have a supportive team around you but building a team takes the right kind of person. It needs a combination of skills such as communication, collaboration, trust, respect, and valuing the potential of human capacity. 

    Empathy and compassion are often used interchangeably; however, empathy is important for making connections with others so they feel valued and compassion helps them feel validated.  Empathy means you understand their feelings and compassion means you’re ready to step up and do something to help them resolve a problem. 

    Decision-making is an art and a science. The art is knowing when the science you have is enough to make a decision. In simpler terms, gathering all the information and data, delegating tasks to your team members, receiving feedback from your team, then making an informed decision are the art and science of decision-making.

    School leaders have a responsibility to cultivate and mentor other school leaders, especially if they want sustainability in programs and systems. I’ve found that the best place to start is with our teachers and staff. 

    Want to Learn More?

    The Essential Handbook for Highly Effective School Leaders: How school leaders maximize teacher commitment, engagement, performance, and retention by Tim Nolan.

    Leaders in Succession: Rotation in International School Administration by Patrick Lee

    Posted by: Ilene Winokur, EdD

    Dr. Ilene Winokur has lived in Kuwait since 1984 and is a professional development specialist supporting teachers globally, including refugee teachers. Ilene has been active in learning innovation for over 25 years and is passionate about narratives related to belonging. Before retiring in 2019, she was a teacher and administrator at the primary and pre-college levels. Her work has focused on supporting multilingual learners and increasing their success in English-based curricula. As a teacher, she earned her teaching certification in ESL to increase her toolbox of strategies to ensure her students felt included, valued, and seen. As a school leader, Ilene mentored her team members about techniques such as scaffolding and tiered questioning that support language acquisition. Ilene advocates for instilling a sense of belonging in students, which is the subject of her books Journey to Belonging: Pathways to Well-Being and Finding Your Pathway to Belonging in Education.

  • Building Resilience: Normalize Asking for Help

    Building Resilience: Normalize Asking for Help

    Why is asking for help so hard? Identifying and helping struggling students would be easy if they came directly to teachers or talked freely with friends about their problems. Unfortunately, there are many reasons why that’s the exception rather than the rule.

    One critical problem is the persistence of stigma faced by those with mental, emotional, cognitive, physical, and behavioral health issues—with added burdens faced by minorities, LGBTQ, and other at-risk populations. Another problem in our individualistic culture is the perception that asking for help is “weak” and may lead to even greater problems among peers and teachers. These roadblocks to seeking help negatively affect students, families, and educators.

    Proving the point, recent surveys revealed that:

    • 20% of students  need mental health services, yet only one  out of five  receive them.
    • Almost a third of students  who considered visiting a school mental health professional ended up not doing so because they didn’t think their issues “were big enough to bother someone with” or felt like they would be judged.
    • Nearly half ( 45 percent ) of teens and young adults hesitate to see a therapist because they feel their parents don’t take their concerns seriously, and more than half ( 53 percent ) wouldn’t want their parents to know they were meeting with a school counselor or therapist.
    • Almost half ( 47 percent ) of US adults believe those who pursue therapy are showing weakness.

    Teachers were almost  three times more likely  to report symptoms of depression than other adults, with more than  50 percent  feeling stress at work.

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    The school community needs to feel safer about reaching out for help. The question is how to get there. Much of the answer lies in creating a nurturing school environment prioritizing wellness and connectedness as universal responsibilities demonstrated at the classroom, school, district, and policy levels.

    Normalizing Asking for Help and Support

    By establishing ground-level support for the larger school community, we can start preventing small problems from becoming larger ones. Think of the positive consequences for the entire school community, understanding that it’s not just okay to ask for help for yourself or others, but it’s the right thing to do. Take it one step further, connecting this proactive attitude with accessing the right supports and interventions easily.

    A scattershot approach to universal support and prevention support won’t cut it. It has to be all hands on deck, with a fully integrated program consistently woven into the everyday fabric of the school community.

    While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, overall approaches and best practices can make it more likely that teachers, families, and students feel comfortable asking for help when needed.

    Here are ten ways to promote a culture that normalizes asking for help:

    1. Build a Whole-School Culture of Connection –  Promote schoolwide activities and programs that build peer-to-peer, student-teacher, and family-school connections. These positive relationships are a critical protective factor for at-risk students and open channels for sharing emotions, experiences, and challenges.
    2. Set Expectations –  Educators must be consistent in their approach to wellness and the importance of asking for help—throughout the school and in each classroom. Schools must communicate clear priorities for student learning, safety, and well-being. When selecting and defining classroom norms and critical social-emotional-behavior (SEB) skills, the baseline should always be building a culture of kindness, caring, and connectedness.
    3. Promote Resilience in the Classroom –  Resilience-building is critical to student wellness programs, helping them increase their ability to cope with stressful experiences while potentially preventing the onset of mental health problems or decreasing their severity. Resilience-building activities can help students develop problem-solving skills, build and maintain interpersonal relationships, promote a positive self-image, and help students achieve better academic outcomes.
    4. Increase Mental Health Literacy –  Sharing information and providing training on mental health issues and resources can empower school staff, families, and students to open up about emotions and issues, understand how to seek help, and then ask for it. On the policy level, mental health literacy is crucial for identifying and eliminating discriminatory practices that harm students.
    5. Create a Multi-Dimensional Solution – Wellness has many facets, including mental, emotional, environmental, behavioral, and physical health. The wellness topic should be as inclusive as possible to build a comprehensive definition of wellness, “cast a wide net” in discussions and activities, and reduce the shame and secrecy that prevents asking for help—no matter the student’s struggle.
    6. Recognize Different Comfort Levels – Even with a supportive school culture, people will have various comfort levels in talking about mental health problems. Different trust levels may require different methods to access help. For example, some families might want to explore available resources independently, others may need to talk anonymously to a helpline counselor, and others may want to reach out directly to an in-school resource.
    7. Provide Support and Resources for Educators –  It’s one thing to say teachers should bring mental health topics and activities to the classroom. It’s quite another to do it, especially in a consistent manner that adheres to a common set of best practices. Professional development and training will help set expectations and better enable educators to address and build them into classroom curricula.
    8. Promote In-School Resources –  A network of professional in-school support can increase a student’s feeling of safety, reduce stigma, and provide expertise beyond a typical educator’s training—such as suicidal ideation. Students and families are more likely to come directly to school resources when the school has succeeded in building a culture of connection and trust. Since students are already in school, there are also fewer barriers to access.
    9. Partner with Community Agencies and Resources –  Schools and districts vary widely in the staff, resources, and expertise they have to address various student issues. Further, school supports are primarily geared toward helping at-risk students with problems observed by teachers or diagnosed. Schools can fill in the gaps by collaborating with local resources to bring additional knowledge, connections, and resources to the school community.
    10. Leverage Technology – Digital and mobile technologies offer various solutions related to mental health services, wellness resources, and crisis help. Some products offer narrow services, others a more comprehensive solution. Services may be delivered via different channels (mobile, web, text, etc.), be more or less customizable, and offer numerous functionalities. Each district or school must determine its unique needs to identify the most appropriate technology solution.

    Normalize Asking for Help Sets the Stage for Wellness and Harm Prevention

    Wellness and prevention of harm must be a systemwide priority instilled into everyone in the school community. One way to build this foundation is by creating a nurturing, connected school and classroom environment that consistently integrates wellness values and topics into everyday school life.

    Posted by: Lisa Allocca

  • Harnessing the Power of Networks: A Three-Tiered Approach for Emerging Education Leaders

    Harnessing the Power of Networks: A Three-Tiered Approach for Emerging Education Leaders

    Let me extend a warm welcome to new education leaders stepping into the pivotal roles of principals or superintendents, or those transitioning into new districts or even different states. As an educational leader with nearly two decades of experience, it is incumbent upon us to equip all new leaders with insights gleaned from our collective decades (and centuries) of leadership experience. One element that often remains underappreciated in the journey to effective leadership is the power and potential of networks. The general perception of a network is often that of a nebulous, ubiquitous entity, commonly taken for granted. This article seeks to redefine and restructure this conception, presenting an innovative three-tiered approach: the Social Network, the Strategic Network, and the Professional/Personal Growth Network.

    Social Networks: The Foundation

    The Social Network forms the first tier and acts as a cornerstone in this triadic structure. Comprising an extensive group of individuals, this network typically includes peers within the field of education but is not strictly limited to them. Many people tend to think of their personal social networks and professional social networks. They are similar in many regards, but with some key differences. All social networks function as a supportive community where you can engage in enjoyable activities, share common interests, and unwind. This broad base provides a critical social outlet, fostering mental well-being amidst the taxing demands of educational leadership. Yet, this network is often characterized by a surface-level familiarity. As comforting as they are, these connections may lack the depth needed to assist you through significant leadership challenges, paving the way for the second tier.

    Strategic Networks: The Pillars of Support

    Strategic Networks, the second tier, consist of a much smaller group of individuals who have evolved from being acquaintances in your social network to individuals you deeply respect and admire. Their proven wisdom and experience can serve as pillars of support when facing dilemmas, acting as strategic thought partners in times of crisis. Whether it’s discussing complex administrative issues or brainstorming creative solutions, these individuals provide the insight and perspective that can prove crucial in decision-making.

    To begin with, your strategic network is typically established from those who have exhibited wisdom and experience you value. These are the individuals to whom you find yourself turning to in times of dilemmas or crisis, functioning as strategic thought partners. But how does a professional acquaintance become a trusted advisor? The key lies in the cultivation of trust and reciprocal learning. As you interact with these individuals more deeply, engaging in dialogue beyond surface-level exchanges, you may find that their viewpoints challenge or complement your own in ways that stimulate growth. This synergy helps cultivate a bond that transcends professional acquaintance and positions them as strategic partners.

    One of the greatest strengths of a strategic network lies in its diversity. Thought partners who originate from very different contexts than your own can offer invaluable perspectives and solutions you might not have considered otherwise. They bring a different set of experiences, challenges, and successes that can broaden your understanding and enhance your problem-solving abilities.

    Take, for example, a situation where you are leading a small district, and one of your strategic network members is from a considerably larger one. Their scale of operations and the complexities they navigate daily may vastly differ from yours. However, their approaches to managing these complexities can provide you with unique insights and innovative solutions that can be adapted to your context. Similarly, an urban education leader can learn much about community engagement and localized learning from a peer in a rural district or, a colleague working in a different state could enlighten you about the unique regulations and policies they work under, which might inspire novel ideas for tackling your own district’s challenges.

    In essence, the strength of your strategic network is fueled by its diversity. The varied backgrounds and experiences of its members foster an enriched dialogue and an expansive thought process, ensuring that your problem-solving approach is not myopic but multifaceted. Through their diverse perspectives, these individuals not only provide insight and wisdom during times of crisis but also contribute to your ongoing professional development. These strategic networks, therefore, form a robust pillar of support in your leadership journey, helping you tackle complex issues and navigate decision-making processes effectively.

    Professional/Personal Growth Networks: The Catalysts

    The final tier, the Professional/Personal Growth Network, is the smallest and yet the most potent. This network comprises individuals genuinely interested in your development as a leader and as a person. They are individuals who offer keen insights into leadership and can be entrusted with the highest levels of confidentiality. Their dedication to your growth, their ability to challenge your assumptions and push your boundaries, sets them apart. They are not merely advisors; they function as catalysts for your professional and personal growth.

    The transition of an individual from your Strategic Network to your Professional/Personal Growth Network can occur organically over time. It usually begins with recognition, not just of their wisdom or experience, but also their sincere interest in your growth. You may notice that certain individuals from your Strategic Network exhibit a keen understanding of your potential, provide thoughtful feedback, and show a consistent commitment to your long-term development. These individuals extend their involvement beyond immediate problem-solving or crisis management, diving deeper into questions about your vision, values, and aspirations. Such depth and dedication make them prime candidates for your Professional/Personal Growth Network.

    However, it’s essential to maintain a clear distinction between the two networks. While the people in your Growth Network can technically serve in your Strategic Network, it is inadvisable to blend these roles without thoughtful consideration. Here’s why: your Growth Network’s role is not to help you navigate immediate challenges but to help you envision who you are becoming, focusing on long-term development and growth. They work with you to shape your future trajectory, exploring and challenging your underlying assumptions and helping you realign your path as necessary. This role requires a degree of impartiality and distance from day-to-day operations, which might be compromised if they are also part of your Strategic Network.

    Keeping the networks separate allows for a clear demarcation of roles. Your Strategic Network members remain the advisors who help you think through immediate problems and dilemmas, while your Growth Network focuses on your development as a leader and as a person. These roles are

    complementary, but different, each crucial in its own way to your success and growth. Recognizing this distinction and maintaining these boundaries allows you to harness the full potential of both networks in your leadership journey.

    In essence, social networks provide necessary mental support, strategic networks act as a pillar when faced with challenges, and professional/personal growth networks are vital catalysts for personal and professional development. Collectively, these networks form the backbone of successful leadership in education.

    Moving from Understanding to Action

    Having understood the three-tiered network structure, the next step is the call to action: all education leaders, irrespective of their tenure, are encouraged to actively participate in their professional organizations, keeping these networks in mind. Strive not only to build these networks but nurture them over time. These are not stagnant constructs but vibrant, evolving ecosystems that hold immense potential for growth and development. One such platform to foster these networks is the District Administration Leadership Institute (DALI). DALI offers an authentic environment for education leaders to build connections at every level. With its vibrant community, DALI allows education leaders to engage with peers, seek guidance from seasoned experts, and partake in enriching discussions that foster personal and professional growth.

    More than just a meeting place, DALI presents opportunities to cultivate relationships that could grow into your strategic and professional/personal growth networks. By interacting with a diverse set of education leaders, you can gain insights into their experiences, learn from their successes and mistakes, and apply these lessons to your leadership journey.

    As you embark on your journey in educational leadership, remember that building these networks is not a singular event but a continuous process. Your networks are living entities that grow, change, and adapt with you. The more effort and time you invest in them, the more rewards they will yield. They are the lifelines that will guide you, support you, and challenge you in your journey.

    As leaders in education, it is our collective responsibility to build and foster these networks. Engage with them, learn from them, and grow with them. Welcome to the beautiful journey of educational leadership. With these three networks at your helm, navigate confidently, knowing that you’re not alone but surrounded by a group of individuals who are eager to support and learn alongside you. Take the leap, get involved, and explore the opportunities that DALI and similar organizations offer. Together, we can lead, learn, and ensure a brighter future for our next generation.

    Posted by: Quintin Shepherd

  • And the Voice of the Educator Rang Through the Halls- Our FETC 2024 Round-up!

    And the Voice of the Educator Rang Through the Halls- Our FETC 2024 Round-up!

    There’s stiff competition among the winter education conferences… TCEA, TASA, and AASA are all within a couple of weeks of each other, and FETC 2024 seemed to anchor this year’s series with the energy we expected pre-COVID ahead of the more regional conferences that pick up in March, like California’s League of Educators.

    While I think everyone who attended last summer’s ISTE would agree that the attendance and energy was back to “pre-COVID” levels, it seemed to me that everyone was still a little surprised to be back among <all> of their colleagues. And there was still plenty of conversation around the future of “the conference” format.

    And it feels like we’re starting to move on from the “will this conference survive” conversation and into conversations that we go to these conferences for… This year my conversations with solution partners seemed to focus more on the “voice of the educator” than in years past. Perhaps that’s a result of our having the chance to talk face-to-face again, but regardless it’s a great step forward!

    We all know the pressures schools and districts are under on a daily basis… serving the immediate needs of the students and community make it very hard to drive innovation or streamline essential processes.  And we’ve long recognized that solution partners are essential components of the K12 ecosystem to help do exactly that.

    Too frequently, though, we are approached by vendors who seem to have come up with ideas in a bubble and with little or no idea of how their solutions might work (or not) in daily practice within a school or classroom.

    Both educators and solution providers this year seemed to be aware of this, and conversations gravitated to that theme quickly.  Here are a few highlights:

    Teaching students’ future selves

    Backed by several National Science Foundation grants, and developed out of Woods Hole Oceanic Institutute , Scoutlier was designed by educators for educators and addresses the core issue of keeping learning relevant and manageable for students.  Their CEO, Brandy Jackson, is herself a teacher as are the majority of Scoutlier’s staff.

    Everyone at Scoutlier has personally had to answer the question “When am I ever going to use this in real life?” as they stare back into the faces of students frozen by not knowing how to start on a problem they don’t really care about.

    A free platform that plugs into Google Classroom, Canvas, and any other LMS, Scoutlier answers both of those questions, and makes learning more manageable for kids, and teaching easier for teachers.

    Scoutlier has 2 components. The first, EngagED makes it easy for teachers breakdown assignments into a manageable processes, helping students see a path of small steps that brings them to their goal.  Based on the experience of every teacher on staff, that is a game changer for many students.

    Second, CareerConnectED leverages AI to find real-world examples that answer the question “When are we actually going to use this in real life?”

    As Jackson says, “You’re in front of your algebra class talking about the exponential decay formula to kids who are going to be going into 20 different fields… how do you give each of them an example of why that formula is relevant to their future selves?”

    Reaching students (and teachers) where they are

    Another example of user-centered design that could only be discovered through the voice of educators comes from Lightspeed, and the release of their new Cascadia system. 

    Cascadia is a networked classroom audio system that has found the intersection of instruction, classroom management, school communications, and student safety. Lightspeed was only able to design Cascadia by listening to all of their district stakeholders and understanding that both teachers and students may need help being heard at any given time.

    Engaging with the “voice of the educator” is a big commitment… To work it must be a 2-way conversation.  Ask your customers all the questions you want, but if you don’t answer them a company might not get another chance.

    Lightspeed’s approach is 2-fold. First is their Lighthouse Customer program which serves as a valuable platform for ongoing feedback, allowing educators to test new features and share insights on the effectiveness of Lightspeed’s solutions. By involving educators directly in the development process, Lightspeed ensures that their products, like Cascadia, are not just tech solutions but practical tools that truly address the concerns of the education community.

    The second is a commitment to salesforce training… While salespeople can certainly cause some anxiety for educators, Shaun Fagan, SVP of Product, says Lightspeed’s product team meets monthly with sales to gather feedback from the field, and that they’ve actually trained salespeople to ask better questions during the sales process to help keep that line of communication open.  The result, says Fagan, is a communication solution that is mobile, simple, and immediately available to a teacher wherever they are in the classroom or building.

    The greening of device management

    Another avenue for communication, that’s particularly effective at conferences like FETC, are informal customer focus groups.  There are so many social options around venues like Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center that with a little coordination, an après-event social can be a relaxed way to discover the real issues on educators’ minds.

    MicroReplay, a leading provider of device repair services and replacement parts, did just that at FETC this year. Through evening conversations Tani Marinovich, MicroReplay’s VP of Sales was able to discuss the whole range of priorities involved in sourcing a repair partner.

    According to Marinovich, the paramount concern has always been ensuring districts have devices ready and available for their communities around the clock, with the elimination of service gaps being a top priority. However, beyond the imperative of service quality, various other factors occupy the minds of IT directors. During a casual dinner and drinks, Marinovich and the team uncovered other considerations.

    Marinovich explained, “Job number 1 is maintaining continuous device availability, but there are additional aspects to address. For instance, assessing what can be serviced in-house rather than being shipped out, determining optimal sources for replacement components, aligning with environmentally sustainable goals, and evaluating the overall financial return on investment (ROI) are all significant concerns.” She added, “Hearing these insights firsthand is encouraging, as they align with the core drivers behind our daily operations.”

    MicroReplay recognizes that while service quality remains a top priority, the nuanced needs and concerns of IT directors encompass a broader spectrum. By understanding these intricacies, the company tailors its services to effectively address the whole range of concerns around device repair and maintenance, emphasizing efficiency, environmental sustainability, and financial return-on-investment.

    How are the kids doing?

    Along with the distance learning band-aids that got applied during the pandemic, we also saw a burgeoning of teletherapy solutions.

    One of the prominent K12 teletherapy solutions that responded to student needs in the pandemic was eLuma.  I had a chance to speak with their CEO Jeremy Glauser.

    As with many education partners, eLuma started based on personal experience… in this case recognizing that the anxiety Glauser wrestled with in high school and college was far more common that he realized at the time.

    But what’s critical for a partner to serve K12 effectively is recognizing that their initial idea is only a starting point.  To ensure that the educator’s voice remains front-and-center, eLuma pairs dedicated customer success partners with each district as well as running periodic focus groups. This has resulted in to significant responses. 

    The first is their recent expansion of remote services to provide Multi-Tierd System of Supports (MTSS). Glauser shared that many teachers just don’t feel equipped to assess and respond to the vast array of student needs they see every day.

    And the second is to help districts find ways to fund those programs… Glauser continued, “Many districts aren’t sure how to access funding and they welcome guidance for how to apply that to programming that benefits all their students’ mental health needs.” To address that, eLuma provides resources and guidance that help districts understand and take advantage of funding opportunities, a welcome support as has been mentioned in another post (Know Your Audience).

    And forward!

    Maybe there’s a parallel between the future of education conferences and partners recognizing the voice of the educator? The K12 leaders that attend conferences, and the customers that partners serve, are the connection between partners and student success. Making sure those voices are heard loud and clear is something we can all work on… Those conversations are certainly seem to be leading in the right direction!

  • K12Leaders and The Learning Accelerator Announce Free Resources to Support Data-Driven Advocacy for All Learners

    K12Leaders and The Learning Accelerator Announce Free Resources to Support Data-Driven Advocacy for All Learners

    K12Leaders and The Learning Accelerator Announce Free Resources to Support Data-Driven and Peer-Reviewed Advocacy for All Learners

    Andover, MA – January 17th, 2024  — K12Leaders introduces a significant free resource for educators today: The Learning Accelerator’s Guide for Data Advocacy, as a featured Professional Pathway on the K12Leaders Platform.

    Professional Pathways are the next generation of professional development for K12 leaders everywhere, combining courseware, community, content, and collaboration in a safe, free, online environment dedicated to serving K12 education.

    The Learning Accelerator’s (TLA) Data Advocacy Guide is a combination of high-quality resources designed to help stakeholders recognize, assess, and advocate for the interventions and policy changes students may need to achieve their full potential based on quantifiable data.

    Together, these resources and the K12Leaders’ platform create a unique opportunity for stakeholders to work with their peers in an active community of educators, building data-driven, peer-reviewed work products designed to improve student outcomes. 

    One distinctive feature of K12Leaders’ Professional Pathways is the formation of professional communities around specific areas of practice, allowing for peer-to-peer review and collaboration as well as guidance from subject experts. The platform provides a secure online environment equipped with social activity feeds, real-time chat, embedded video conferencing, private messaging, and document collaboration, integrating seamlessly with Google Drive.

    A national nonprofit, TLA has been dedicated to helping educators and schools ensure that every child achieves their unique potential for over a decade. Through collaborations across the education sector, TLA encourages improvements from success and innovation, advancing emerging technologies, school models, and support systems.

    K12Leaders CEO, Michael Bronder said “We are very happy to help amplify the great work The Learning Accelerator does by making their Guide for Data Advocacy available in this innovative new format within our Professional Pathways. As we all work to serve K12 education, this guide gives educators, leaders, and stakeholders the tools they need to leverage data effectively, advocating for the best interests of their students.”

    “Data is a powerful tool for conversations about and action towards greater equity for kids”, says Beth Rabbitt, CEO of The Learning Accelerator. “We believe this collaboration with K12Leaders will help amplify the impact of the Data Advocacy Guide, one of our many free resources that help local leaders transform schools. Through the K12Leaders platform, we aim to empower a broader community of education professionals committed to driving positive change.”

    All K12 educators, staff, and administrators are welcome to join this exciting new pathway at https://k12leaders.com/tla-registration

    For media inquiries, please contact:

    Suzy Brooks, Editorial Director 

    suzy.brooks@k12leaders.com

    About K12Leaders:  K12Leaders is the leading free professional network for K12 teachers, staff, and administrators. Built by educators for educators, K12Leaders has become an innovative platform for educational collaboration and driver of positive change in how educators can work together to improve their own practice, enable professional growth, and ultimately improve outcomes for their students.
    About The Learning Accelerator:  The Learning Accelerator (TLA) is a national nonprofit building an education field where practitioners, leaders, and policy-makers learn faster and change systems together to ensure every child reaches their full potential. We do this by accelerating individual, organizational, and sector learning to transform K-12 education. For more information, please visit https://learningaccelerator.org.

  • Using Data to Advocate for Equitable Education

    Using Data to Advocate for Equitable Education

    In the words of the late John Lewis, “When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just – you have to speak up. You have to say something; you have to do something.” At The Learning Accelerator (TLA), we resonate with this call to action, recognizing the manifold challenges students face across their educational journeys. From learning differences to social issues, addressing these challenges necessitates a collective effort from educators, parents, policymakers, and community members. To empower advocates in this crucial mission, TLA  developed the Data Advocacy Guide, and its accompanying workbook and course. This resource aims to equip leaders like yourselves with the knowledge and tools to effectively leverage data in fostering equitable educational experiences.

    Advocacy in Education: Charting a Course for Change

    At TLA, we are committed to advancing a research-informed vision for equitable teaching and learning, leading us to the development of this course to help educators leverage the strategies and resources in our Data Advocacy Guide. In the realm of education, advocacy is a potent force for positive transformation. As we prepared this guide, we sought insights from educators, and their overarching desire was clear: they wanted a guide that elucidated how to tell compelling stories using both numbers (quantitative data) and voices (qualitative data). Educators emphasized the importance of understanding how data can elevate advocacy efforts while exploring the nuances of data collection, analysis, and application in driving meaningful change specific to each stakeholder’s role.

    Why is data crucial for advocacy in education? Data serves as a spotlight, illuminating the truth of students’ academic, mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. It highlights areas that are working for all students and those in need of improvement. Furthermore, data becomes the impetus for dismantling systems that have historically marginalized students, contributing to community, economic, and social barriers and instability.

    What You Will Learn in This Course

    The Data Advocacy Guide serves as a compass for educators, students, families, and community members navigating the complex landscape of data-driven advocacy. It offers activities, strategies, and concrete examples to support advocates in not only speaking up but also taking tangible actions to support students. As you work through this course, you will:

    • Document your level of access: Utilize the guide and its accompanying workbook to create a targeted data collection plan according to your role as an advocate and specific to your level of access to data.
    • Identify your purpose for advocacy: Ground your advocacy efforts in equity, ensuring a focused and purposeful approach.
    • Think deliberately about changing conditions: Get clear about the specific conditions you aim to change and strategize accordingly.
    • Collect, analyze, and communicate findings: Gain practical insights into collecting relevant data, analyzing it effectively, and communicating findings persuasively.

    Shaping the Future Through Data-Driven Advocacy

    The urgency to connect policies and practices with student outcomes is evident. The Data Advocacy Guide acts as a beacon, shining a light on the truth of what is happening, what is working, and what isn’t. Armed with this knowledge, advocates can forge a plan to champion equitable practices. 

    Now, more than ever, we invite stakeholders to actively engage with the guide and course on K12Leaders. By doing so, we can use data as the powerful tool it is to advocate for a brighter, more equitable educational landscape for all students.

    Author: Dr. Violet Ford, The Learning Accelerator

    Author Bio: Violet Ford is a Partner at The Learning Accelerator (TLA). She has held key roles in various research and evaluation projects across sectors such as community health, education, and social services, with a focus on qualitative research. She is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, ensuring that evaluations are conducted with sensitivity to cultural nuances and the wellbeing of the populations studied.

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  • Before There Was AI…. Wait. What Was Before AI?

    Before There Was AI…. Wait. What Was Before AI?

    It’s sometimes hard to remember that education technology was deep and robust before AI hit the scene in 2023. While we continually hear about how AI is going to directly affect the classroom, it’s also important to understand how it will integrate with the existing ed-tech ecosystem.

    Some of the possibilities are truly amazing, and others should be explored with an eye on student (and teacher) privacy. In some cases, the existing ecosystem may actually magnify the impact AI can have while mitigating some of the risks we’re just starting to understand.

    Education institutions share a common mission — to provide their students with the knowledge and skills that form the foundations of a successful future. Education technology (ed-tech) is an important driver in reaching this goal, and its advancement is opening the doors to exciting new ways to use it in today’s classrooms. Explore what ed-tech is, how it creates value, and how it’s evolving in a world increasingly influenced by AI.

    Remember Ed-tech?

    Ed-tech is the collective media and tools that help facilitate knowledge communication, delivery, and exchange. This broad definition can refer to solutions like software, smart devices, and electronics. These empower school faculty to teach more effectively and remotely, promote better knowledge retention, create engaging student experiences, and run more efficiently.

    6 Ways Ed-Tech Enhances Education

    Learners today expect an interactive experience beyond passive learning through sitting in a live classroom and listening to a lecture. Ed-tech enables faculty to prepare students for future workplaces by providing exciting new ways of interactive learning and engagement.

    Among the many benefits of tech in the classroom are:

    1. It Supports Diverse Learning Styles

    Every student’s needs are unique, and each learns differently. These realities can make it challenging for your workforce to meet diverse demands.

    Modern technology can support learning styles and needs in several ways, including online platforms, interactive learning tools, and collaborative experimentation. These solutions empower your teaching staff to deliver materials through different mediums. They also allow students to engage in ways that work for them. For example, an educator can leverage technology to permit students to demonstrate their knowledge through different options. This approach creates more customized experiences while still providing an education of meaningful benefit.

    2. It Fosters Better Communication and Collaboration

    Modern technology makes communication easier for your workforce, students, and parents. Pupils can readily make suggestions or ask questions that they may be too shy to pose in class by using electronic tools. Teachers and parents can use email for routine communication and video tools for more convenient parent-teacher conferences.

    Technology solutions are also ideal for nurturing collaboration between students. Pupils can work together on projects through platforms like text messaging, videoconferencing, and online discussion forums. Existing and upcoming programs can even help your teachers track individual contributions and group effort.

    3. It Prepares Pupils for Their Futures

    Today’s businesses increasingly rely on technology to power and improve their operations. Whether your future graduates will operate costly equipment or design the next space shuttle, savvy tech skills are essential for their success. Your campus’s classrooms are the ideal places for students to get the introductory skills they need to be confident technology users in the workforce.

    4. It Creates an Engaging Experience

    Technology and education combine to create more interactive learning experiences. In turn, users have more involvement with the tools they’re using. This association can lead to better knowledge retention, increased subject interest, and higher lesson engagement.

    5. It Offers Enhanced Learning

    Technology can make learning more engaging and interactive, improving students’ understanding and retention of the information. Students can also access a vast amount of information and resources online, expanding their knowledge beyond traditional textbooks and learning deeper research skills for finding authoritative, credible sources.

    6. It Accommodates Inclusivity

    Technology can assist students with disabilities and special educational needs, making education more accessible to a wider range of learners. Distance learning curricula and assistive technology such as speech-to-text, subtitles and captions, and keyboard and mouse adjustments can benefit learners with and without disabilities for more advantageous classroom experiences.

    Top 10 Trends for the Use of Technology in Education

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    The tech environment is dynamic, with innovative new solutions coming to the market daily. Harnessing all the benefits these tools offer means staying on top of trending uses for them. Below are the top 10 ed-tech trends to know to make the most informed buying decisions for your campus.

    1. Artificial Intelligence

    Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) applications continue to grow. Experts anticipate the market to reach $1,345 billion by 2030, with education playing a key role as industry demand increases.

    Your teachers will save time using sophisticated tools to automate tasks and enhance the delivery of course material. AI can help them grade objective exams or generate a lesson plan outline in moments. They can then focus on other tasks like completing continuing education requirements instead.

    AI is equally beneficial to your entire student body. The technology can help improve their writing and simplify complex topics into easier-to-understand material. AI tools are also ideal for detecting learning gaps and creating personalized, correctly paced learning plans to fill them. This approach allows students to receive the precise help they need to succeed, fostering their motivation and boosting their academic performance.

    The typical concerns around AI in the classroom have to do with the authenticity of student work and efficacy of their learning, and potential bias as it recognizes patterns. While there are some answers to those concerns, many others remain.

    What is not as well understood are how AI engines work with student data, and how they will need to respect existing laws regarding FERPA Student Identifiable Information, and CIPA.

    The Department of Education has published guidelines regarding both the benefits and risks of AI in education, but we should expect this to be an ongoing conversation, not a static position.

    2. Cloud Computing

    Many of today’s education technology trends begin with cloud computing. The Cloud has become almost transparent, and it’s hard to recall a time when we were concerned with how much disk space we were using. While transitioning assets to the cloud enables access to school resources from anywhere with any connected device, AI also depends on the cloud for storing the vast amount of data it relies on. For a school or district, the cloud remains ideal for:

    – Students: Pupils can efficiently complete lessons, collaborate on projects, communicate with their teachers, and access digital textbooks from anywhere, 24/7.

    – Faculty: Educators can quickly post and grade assignments, email or conference with parents, and track student attendance and progress.

    – Parents: Parents can conveniently monitor grades, communicate with school staff, and digitally sign and submit required forms.

    – Administrators: Senior-level staff can review curricula, create and approve budgets and expenditures, and easily manage faculty.

    – Employees: The operational workforce can quickly request tools and equipment, manage their benefits, or complete required computer-based training.

    3. Online Learning

    Online learning — also called e-learning — first debuted in the 1960s through the University of Illinois when it offered on-premise students instruction through linked computer terminals. By 1984, the University of Toronto began offering foundational courses, and the University of Phoenix became the first fully distance-learning college a few years later.

    As internet connectivity and home-based devices became more popular during the 1990s, more e-learning opportunities began to appear. These programs supported asynchronous learning, where students complete work around their schedules rather than during a defined classroom time. This approach gives pupils more control over their assignment timing and allows them to develop time management skills. The onset of the pandemic only reinforced the demand for instruction options capable of keeping pace with the many shifting needs.

    Today’s technology allows educators to meet students’ learning objectives through smartphones, computers and tablets. Modern solutions let educators use podcasts, videos, simulations and more to deliver captivating and engaging lessons. High configurability and affordability of these formats help ensure this trend’s continued popularity.

    AI will help online-learning advance quickly by:

    • Accelerating Personalized Learning : AI will help learning systems recognize student learning styles and recommend the content and lessons it has seen individual learners respond to best.
    • Smart Content Deliver: Slightly different that Personalized Learning, smart content delivery will recognize gaps in understanding that need to be filled to meet learning outcomes.
    • Predictive Analytics: If AI has access to historic student data, it will be able to recognize patterns and suggest interventions to address learning gaps early in a student’s career.

    4. On-Demand Video Learning

    Humans love videos, a fact continuously proven by social media platforms and television programs that showcase them. Leveraging this medium as a learning tool is a natural progression, and its use skyrocketed during the pandemic when in-person classes weren’t an option.

    Video learning offers the flexibility of on-demand access and supports peer collaboration. It’s also compatible with microlearning, which focuses on bite-sized, interactive lessons. That adaptability makes it ideal for team assignments and self-paced learning.

    Recent studies have also shown that video is effective at skill-building and enhancing other lesson materials. Many anticipate video-assisted learning to continue rising in popularity as more empirical research proves its value.

    AI will help target on-demand video learning via “smart content delivery.”

    5. Augmented and Virtual Reality

    Augmented and virtual reality (together, often referred to as XR) are two technology trends in education gaining traction. These solutions transform learning into an immersive experience that engages multiple senses. In augmented reality, pupils better view a topic incorporated into their real-world setting. Virtual reality creates an entirely new environment for the student to explore. Both engage learners in a whole new way.

    Your institution can equip your teachers with these tools to:

    • Conduct virtual field trips.
    • Enhance language learning through immersive role-play.
    • Travel through outer space, the ocean depths, or the inner human body

    AI amplifies the capabilities of XR, making it more engaging, personalized, and practical. As these technologies evolve, their symbiotic relationship will continue to redefine how we perceive and interact with digital and physical worlds.

    Enhanced Realism and Interaction: AI Algorithms enhance the realism and interactivity of AR/VR environments. By analyzing real-world data, AI can create more convincing virtual objects and scenes.

    Gesture and Voice Recognition : AI will enable natural interaction within XR spaces. Gesture and voice recognition algorithms can interpret hand movements and vocal tone allowing users to interact with virtual environments intuitively.

    Personalization and Adaptation : By analyzing user preferences, behavior, and context, AI will customize content, adjust lighting, or modify virtual scenarios.

    Data Fusion and Spatial Mapping : AI powered spatial maps enable precise tracking and positioning in AR/VR creating a seamless and more realistic experience.

    6. Data and Analytics

    AI is already deeply integrated with big data and data-analytics offer ing meaningful insights to school districts and educational facilities. This technology helps capture information on student engagement, progress, and behavior. With the increased visibility, it’s easier for your staff to see what’s working and what’s not. Educators can quickly adjust lesson plans or delivery mediums and pinpoint gaps or students needing extra help.

    Pairing data with learning analytics provides even more value. AI can quickly discover patterns useful in planning, interacting, and identifying skill gaps. Predictive analytics deliver insights on who may fail or drop out so you can respond proactively instead of reactively.

    7. Gamification

    Gamification is the process of applying interactive game-like elements to teaching, a typically nongamified setting. Doing so delivers many benefits for your student body, including:

    • Boosting motivation:  Presenting pupils with a challenge can spur them to want to learn. For example, they may be excited to complete lessons to earn rewards for their avatar.
    • Making learning more fun and engaging:  Adding more ways for students to interact with their learning materials raises their enjoyment and participation.
    • Increasing knowledge retention:  Gamifying curricula powers active learning processes and improves information retention.
    • Honing real-world skills:  Transforming traditional lessons into game-like ones helps students develop and apply problem-solving, teamwork, self-confidence and fine motor skills.
    • Transferring knowledge:  Gamifying education allows pupils to test their new skills. For example, they can play detectives and hunt down clues from relevant sources to document the research skills your workforce teaches.

    As with assessment and personalized learning, AI algorithms will recognize learners preferences and understand which awards are most likely to encourage learning behaviors.

    8. Blockchain

    Blockchain is a technology that creates an immutable data record. It records information in small units called blocks, which connect to previous blocks to form the chain. It’s a valuable solution in business and education for data accuracy, integrity and storage.

    This tool provides value to facilities like yours for tracking student grades, achievements, and credentials. Because the information is immutable and secure, blockchain reduces the risk of fraudulent transcripts or certifications and helps protect sensitive data. The technology can also help support your academic honesty policies by lessening the potential for plagiarism. Since it creates transparency, security and permanence, experts anticipate its adoption will rise.

    AI and blockchain have a natural relationship, offering the potential to address some of the main concerns with AI by enabling:

    • Secure Data Sharing: Blockchain ensures secure data sharing among schools and classrooms, providing a transparent and immutable ledger. AI can then analyze this data to improve educational outcomes, maintaining a high level of security and privacy.
    • Credential Portability : Blockchain allows students to carry their verified credentials seamlessly across schools, districts, and even into the workforce. AI can match these credentials with placement and enrollment algorithms or job requirements, streamlining the verification process and enhancing credential portability.
    • Learning Analytics: The combination of blockchain and AI leads to powerful learning analytics. Educators can track student progress, identify areas for improvement, and personalize interventions. The use of blockchain adds an extra layer of privacy protection, addressing concerns related to data security.

    9. Social Media:

    Contrary to expectations, social media is proving its value as a helpful educational tool. Institutions worldwide are leveraging it for enhanced communication, creating campus-specific platforms for quick and easy interaction between students and faculty. Pupils can share notes, videos, and study materials or pose questions to their teachers. Educators can post discussion topics, assign students to respond, and facilitate meaningful dialogue. With social media being a daily part of many people’s lives, its familiarity makes it a sustainable and effective format for educational engagement.

    10. STEAM Education

    Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) have been foundational skills, but the addition of art has transformed STEM into STEAM. Recognizing the importance of balanced instruction and creative expression, educators have embraced this multidisciplinary approach. STEAM exposes students to a broader range of subjects, helping them discover their career interests and providing a more well-rounded education. This evolution in education aligns with the demand for diverse skill sets in the workforce.

    AI’s contribution to STEAM curriculum is going to largely draw on how it enables Personalized Learning, Smart Content Delivery, and Learning Analytics. Each of those components are deeply embedded in STEAM curriculums already, helping students find learning experiences that engage them and map to the learning outcomes educators hope for them to achieve.

    Common Types of Device Technology Used in Education Today

    Modern digital learning tools encompass a variety of solutions to balance student educational needs with budget-conscious technology spending. Today’s classrooms feature advanced equipment, including:

    1. Portable Electronic Devices:

    Many institutions issue individual student laptops, tablets, or notebook computers for take-home or in-class use, promoting flexibility in learning.

    2. Smartboards:

    These replace traditional chalkboards and offer recording capability for future reference, fostering interactive and dynamic teaching methods.

    3. Projectors:

    Easily integrating with computers, projectors display content onto classroom screens or walls, enhancing visual learning experiences.

    4. Ultra-High-Definition Televisions:

    Wide-screen TV displays enable faculty to play educational videos, movies, microlessons, or mirror their portable device screens, providing versatile multimedia options.

    5. Charging Towers:

    Centralized device-charging stations streamline organization and ensure devices are fully powered, simplifying technology management.

    6. Digital Microscopes and Cameras:

    Enabling close examination and documentation of scientific specimens, these devices enhance hands-on learning in science classes.

    7. Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality Headsets:

    Creating immersive learning experiences for subjects like science, history, and art, these devices bring lessons to life in engaging and interactive ways.

    The integration of these technologies empowers educators to create dynamic and interactive learning environments, preparing students for success in an increasingly digital and interconnected world.

    What have we missed?

    The whole point here is that ed-tech is constantly evolving… and Moore’s Law doesn’t seem to apply. Innovation is only accelerating. What do you think we missed talking about here? Where do you see things headed next?

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  • K12Leaders Trivia Night – December 19 – 8pm ET

    K12Leaders Trivia Night – December 19 – 8pm ET

    How well do you know A Christmas Story? What about all the 12 days of Christmas or Adam’s Sandler’s Hanukkah song? Test your trivia knowledge as K12Leaders is proud to announce their upcoming 2nd annual virtual trivia night taking place on Tuesday, December 19th in the Virtual Trivia Night Group.

    This FREE fun and interactive experience is the perfect way to test your knowledge and challenge your friends. Whether you’re a trivia buff or just getting started, there’s something for everyone!

    The night will feature a variety of trivia topics, all centered around the holiday theme. Plus, you can compete for prizes and bragging rights amongst friends and family. So grab your ugly holiday sweater and join us for an unforgettable night of trivia and fun.

    The virtual trivia night will start at 8:00 PM EST in the Virtual Trivia Night group and is open to participants of all ages. So, grab your friends and family and get ready for a night of trivia on K12Leaders.