Principal Project

The next edition of our Principal Project newsletter (brought to you by @edutopia.org) drops next week. Make sure you're subscribed: www.edutopia.org/principal-pr...

"What are your reactions to the new season of the Sold a Story podcast?" If nothing else, a good conversation can be a good conversation—so appreciative of @stephenmerrill.bsky.social for uplifting this here with @teacher2teacher.bsky.social: www.edutopia.org/teacher2teac...

Principal Elena Nashelsky has developed a powerful tool to preserve institutional knowledge in her building. Read more about how it works and grab a copy for yourself: https://edut.to/3U5pZLq

Here's a question worth exploring with your instructional team: What actually helps students remember what they learn? Test your own knowledge with this 12-question quiz from @edutopia.org: www.edutopia.org/quiz/quiz-wh...

In case you're curious about different perspectives on this season of Sold a Story around teaching pedagogy, it has been fascinating to see various views pop up over the day here at @teacher2teacher.bsky.social: www.edutopia.org/teacher2teac...

Mounting evidence suggests that AI can impact foundational skill development for K-12 students. We gathered the research for you here: https://edut.to/4dIvVRi

A detail that didn't end up in the article: @nashelsky.bsky.social staring at a cabinet of unused curriculum materials and wondering, Why are these here? Her "operational scope and sequence" template is invaluable in preserving institutional memory even when teachers and other staff leave.

Here, @stephenmerrill.bsky.social and I examine a number of scenarios where students using AI is widely viewed as harmless (or even helpful), yet the available research and thinking of leading experts suggests that each instance deserves a much closer look. My latest, for @edutopia.org:

Teachers encounter AI all the time. Here's how to start giving them the knowledge to navigate it: https://edut.to/4dMx3Ds

Is it even *school* if there aren’t any graded tests? Short answer: Yes! In the latest episode of School of Practice, we talk with high school teacher Jodie Deinhammer about how she removed high-stakes tests while keeping her class rigorous. Listen and follow on Spotify or Apple Podcasts! 🎧

The hardest part of helping a struggling teacher? They may never tell you they need help. Four school leaders share how to recognize the signs and step in with support.

No one owns a school and no one owns its story. As a principal, taking on the stance of an editor has been a game changer for me—it has also made the school I serve more fully realized in its story.

Small adjustments to everyday routines can enhance active learning. For example, Small-Group Discussion can be augmented with this revision: Answer Solo, Discuss, Answer Solo Again. Link to #Edutopia article: www.edutopia.org/article/enco... #Education #TeachingStrategies

One time an admin (not a current one!) popped in to ask me how things were going during one of my preps. "Not good at all," I said. They nodded and they walked out. So yeah, sitting down matters. It matters a lot.

Our editors dug through 40+ studies on memory and retention to build our very first Edutopia quiz. Now it's your turn to put your knowledge to the test!

There’s nothing I reach for more often at work than this operational scope and sequence. I’m excited to explain and share it as a downloadable through @edutopia.org and the @principalproject.bsky.social.

Here's how you can help keep families in the loop without adding more hours to your to-do list: https://edut.to/478Ta3l

With just 2 simple shifts, PD sessions can make an impact in classrooms—not just the next day, but months after. Try this approach to make professional learning stick:

Teaching is one of the most complicated jobs in the world—and even the most experienced educators are always learning. Explore 6 research-backed practices to support professional growth at your school: https://edut.to/4hJBXCo

Most families learn about their child’s math progress through grades, test scores, or completed assignments, but these don't always show how a child thinks, which skills are growing, or where they may need help. Dr. Zoraida Brown's tips on engaging families sooner: www.edutopia.org/article/supp...

"People rarely remember our mistakes the way we do," says high school principal @jessicacabeen.bsky.social. "They remember how we responded." She shares 4 ways to turn mistakes into becoming a better leader.

"A Research-Based Strategy for Guiding Students to Engage in Productive Struggle" for Edutopia: www.edutopia.org/article/rese... #education #teachers

@steelethoughts.bsky.social

"We knew we needed to reconsider our approach," says Curriculum Supervisor Mark Wise and Chief Academic Officer Barbara Soares Gould about their district's evaluation system. "We wanted to make our system less like a rearview mirror and more like a GPS." Read more:

Our editors dug through 40+ studies on memory and retention to build our very first Edutopia quiz. Now it's your turn to put your knowledge to the test! https://edut.to/4AGcwKt

"An enrichment course may not change a student’s academic trajectory," says dean Troy Urquhart. "But it might introduce a hobby, lead to an unexpected friendship, give a student who has struggled elsewhere a place to experience mastery, or strengthen a relationship with an adult." Read more:

"We have an opportunity to pause and ask, 'Who is the student beyond the behavior, and what can we discover if we take the time to know them better?' ” - @drracheledoho-eket.bsky.social Read more: www.edutopia.org/article/3-wa...

How did veteran educator Selim Tlili transform his high school science classroom? With drawing! On this episode of School of Practice, Selim shares how he incorporates drawing into any subject or grade level—and keeps students engaged over the long term. 🎧⁠ Listen here: https://edut.to/4h5Fc8b

Looking for a starting point for setting AI expectations in your classroom? Check out this classroom AI policy created by teacher @cathleenbeachbd.bsky.social. To download this idea and 7 more resources, head here: https://edut.to/3TFDD7T

Tips to plan a schoolwide tech summit:

How do you build student agency in the classroom? Drop into our Jam Session anytime now through Wednesday, September 23 to ask your questions. Our panelists @tobyfischer.bsky.social, Susan Yergler, Shannon Engelbrecht, and the Edutopia team will be responding in the comments all week!

Math teacher Ranjani Iyer noticed that students start letting go of the idea that they're not a "math person" once they work through problems on their own. She shares 5 teaching strategies that help students build confidence.

“New and exciting” is the wrong standard for successful schools, according to former principal Stan Stokley. “I think being really good at a few things is more important than having a new initiative every year.” Read why 3 principals are picking the familiar over the new at their schools:

New instructional coaches start the year with a portfolio full of frameworks and no clear first move. I keep telling them the framework is not the plan. The plan is the relationship, then the observation, then the feedback. What is your first move as a coach this year?

It's here! The biggest thing I've *ever* worked on for @edutopia.org (or ever). Gratitude to my co-author @youkiterada.bsky.social who did IMMENSE heavy-lifting, and our incisive editor @stephenmerrill.bsky.social. Big thanks to @albertocairo.com and @misssarahleo.bsky.social for their wisdom!

#ITeachMath #MathEd I can attest that this works to build stronger community and deeper understanding. Its also more fun to teach this way.

How to Give Novice Teachers Mindful, Learning-Focused Feedback https://www.edutopia.org/article/delivering-mindful-feedback-to-novice-teachers via @Edutopia

How do you reset after making a mistake? In this episode of School of Practice, ELA teacher and instructional specialist Miriam Plotinsky digs into the most common teacher mistakes and identifies key strategies for quick, effective resets that get learning back on track.

“Go as far as you can see; when you get there you'll be able to see farther.” -Thomas Carlyle Make it a great day…or not. The choice is yours. #BeGREAT

Co-creating AI agreements with students in middle school on up may reduce reflexive AI dependency. My latest for @edutopia.org: www.edutopia.org/article/how-...

Typing may be faster, but the research shows that handwriting engages our brains in richer, more meaningful ways. Read about the research: www.edutopia.org/visual-essay...

Read how these 5 leaders are helping students feel a sense of belonging at school:

"I may have had a rough morning or missed the bus, but I’m here now and it’s going to be a great day." Two things about this article by @tatertutt.bsky.social that I 100% love: ⓵ There isn't "one way" to build a culture of belonging ⓶ It cannot only be teachers in classrooms creating belonging

As a school leader, I am fascinated by the small environmental adjustments that make a difference. Starting interviews off with a walk shifts and humanizes an otherwise stale dynamic. @edutopia.org www.edutopia.org/article/low-...

"I think there's an assumption that all technology is good. I wanted to evaluate whether that was true. I took everything I was using technology for and did it with paper and pencil instead, and the results were eye-opening." -Educator Dylan Kane Read the interview: www.edutopia.org/article/dyla...

I've heard many educators raising student work avoidance and refusal as a pressing issue—prompting me to write a story gathering resources for the new school year. Teachers: How do you approach this in your classroom? Can you share your most productive strategies for getting things back on track?

Is it time to go back to basics? In this episode of School of Practice, high school teacher Nicholas Ferroni talks through his decision to decrease tech time, what his students have gained from it, and where tech still has its place in the classroom. 🧑‍🏫