Educational Excellence

A good reminder. With so much to do everyday, it's always helpful to remember this! #EducationalExcellence

AI can help create efficiency in PLC meetings. ???? The power of PLCs is still in teachers collaborating ????????, but AI can speed up some of the work for us ??! Time is always an issue ?, as we all know! Let me know if you'd like any changes! #AIinEducation #PLCs #CollaborativeTeaching #EducationalExcellence https://lnkd.in/e-bxPWGg

?? Making Formative Assessment Work: 5 Key Conditions for Success ?? In Cult of Pedagogy, Jennifer Gonzalez shares essential strategies to ensure formative assessment truly informs instruction and improves student learning. Here are the five key conditions that make it effective: ? Respond to the Results – If students don’t grasp the concept, have a Plan B ready: peer discussions, reteaching, or differentiated practice. ?? Check Every Student – Use tech tools, whiteboards, or quick signals to assess all students, not just the vocal ones. ? Ask Great Hinge Questions – Well-crafted questions guide your next steps and help identify misunderstandings. ?? Build a Culture of Trust – Students need to feel safe admitting confusion. A supportive environment encourages honesty. ?? Grade Less (or Not at All!) – Formative assessment is about learning, not judgment—grading can actually hinder honest responses. ?? How do you use formative assessment in your classroom? What strategies have helped you make it more meaningful and actionable? Let’s discuss! #FormativeAssessment #EffectiveTeaching #StudentEngagement #EducationInnovation https://lnkd.in/g_wr6R7K

?? Supporting New Teachers: What Makes an Effective Induction Program? New teachers bring passion and energy to the classroom, but the transition from preparation programs to real-world teaching can be overwhelming. In EdResearch for Action, Andrew Kwok and Kathy Ogden Macfarlane highlight the key elements of effective induction programs that help bridge this gap—leading to higher retention, stronger instruction, and better student outcomes. ?? High-Quality Coaching – Frequent, structured support from well-trained mentors who provide actionable feedback and model effective practices. ?? Targeted Professional Development – Training that directly addresses the daily challenges new teachers face, like classroom management and lesson planning. ?? Peer Collaboration – Regular meetings with same-grade/subject colleagues to share strategies and analyze student work. ?? Administrative Support – School leaders play a key role in setting goals, providing guidance, and helping new teachers navigate challenges. ?? Workload Adjustments – Thoughtful scheduling, reduced preps, and observation opportunities can ease the steep learning curve. ?? What doesn’t work? Sporadic coaching, rigid top-down requirements, and voluntary induction programs that leave some new teachers unsupported. ?? What induction practices have you seen make the biggest impact on new teacher success? Let’s share strategies that help teachers thrive beyond their first year! #NewTeachers #Mentorship #TeacherRetention #EducationLeadership https://lnkd.in/d8KDnW25

Here is a tool we found for assessing what areas of growth your team might have in regards to team dynamics and effectiveness. ???? This is a quick assessment ?? you can give each team member to then facilitate a great conversation after! ?? https://lnkd.in/g4Wft-2G

??? Gratitude, creativity, and a whole lot of heart! ??? A huge ?gracias! to Maestra Krista’s class at Milwaukie El Puente Elementary for the warm welcome—and for this incredible thank-you card! ?? When I was invited to read A Kids Book About Tests to this amazing bilingual classroom, I knew it would be a great experience, but the conversations we had were even better than I imagined. Even the teachers had questions and feedback. These students were engaged, thoughtful, and full of great questions about testing and assessment. And their thank-you card? Pure genius! ?? They recreated the book cover with their own twist—A Kids Card to Say Gracias—and filled it with the sweetest notes. This is exactly how we change the narrative around testing—by creating space for students to ask questions, voice their thoughts, and feel empowered in the process. Thank you, Maestra Krista, for inviting me into your classroom, and to your students for their creativity and gratitude. ?? #AKidsBookAboutTests #StudentVoices?#Thekidsareready #BilingualEducation #ChangingTheNarrative #GratitudeInEducation

Tackling the Digital Dilemma: Rethinking Screen Time & Student Wellbeing ???? Schools across the US are facing a growing challenge: balancing the benefits of technology with the negative effects of excessive screen time on students' mental health. But what if the solutions we need are already within our reach? ?? This insightful article explores how we can take the structural systems we already use in education and adapt them to promote digital wellness. It’s a fresh perspective on creating healthier, more balanced tech habits for students. #DigitalWellness #MentalHealth #EducationInnovation #TechInSchools #StudentWellbeing #ScreenTime https://lnkd.in/eaa_Dd4c

Scaffold like a pro! ??? Here is an article with some reminders of how we can scaffold for students. You may find some new strategies too! ?? #ScaffodlingStraegies #SupportForLearning #EducationInnovation https://lnkd.in/eidTMk-J

?? We had an incredible time presenting at the 2025 Multilingual & English Learner Conference hosted by COSA! ?? The room was packed, and the energy was through the roof as we shared insights and knowledge with so many passionate professionals in the education community. A huge thank you to everyone who attended our session — your engagement, questions, and enthusiasm made all the difference! Check out this awesome picture of a full house! ?? #COSA2025 #EducationLeadership #FullHouse #ProfessionalDevelopment #CommunityEngagement #EducationMatters #EducationalExcellence #EdEx

Notetaking: A Skill That Needs to Be Mastered ?? As educators, we often overlook the importance of notetaking as a crucial skill for student success. It's not just about writing things down—it’s about knowing what to do with those notes afterward. ?? Check out this fascinating article on how we can teach students to transform their notes into powerful learning tools, improving retention, organization, and understanding. This is a game-changer for both students and teachers alike! #NotetakingSkills #Education #TeachingTips #StudentSuccess #LearningStrategies https://lnkd.in/gE9An8ek