Leading Educators

"Over-scaffolding often shows up when all students are representing their thinking in a singular way; in other words, students are imitating the teacher instead of demonstrating their own thinking," says Rebecca Eden Allen, an experienced math instructional coach. This year, Rebecca and Leading Educators supported leaders in select District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) to tackle this issue head-on with tailored coaching sessions for math teachers. These sessions focused on shifting instructional moves to better balance support and independence, and they're making a significant difference. In this ? NEW PAPER ?, we offer three reflection tools for exploring the effectiveness of your coaching strategy to inform future planning: https://hubs.la/Q02DKLTs0

“Part of the reason urban districts are less prepared for AI may be complexity and the sheer number of issues they are facing, observers speculate...While they may be excited by the opportunities of AI, superintendents are busy handling immediate problems: pandemic recovery, the end of federal relief funding, enrollment declines and potential school closures, mental health crises among students and absenteeism.” ??There’s an imperative for the field to generate evidence that suggests which tools actually work, help leaders navigate edtech tools, and train teachers. That’s the work Leading Educators and The Learning Accelerator are kicking off this fall alongside 60+ educators from 19 schools through the School Teams AI Collaborative. Stay tuned!

Background knowledge matters. When reading instruction helps students connect new information to what they already know (their "funds of knowledge"), they are more likely to comprehend texts. A recent study in North Carolina shows that integrating topics from different subjects can significantly boost both literacy and numeracy. By focusing on knowledge-building, schools can help students make meaningful connections that enhance their learning across subjects. https://hubs.la/Q02PPP1w0 Timothy Shanahan, a literacy expert and a professor emeritus at the University of Illinois comments, “The study makes it very clear (as have a few others recently) that it is possible to combine reading with social studies and science curriculum in powerful ways that can improve both literacy and content knowledge." ?? The takeaway? Even when you feel great pressure to boost test scores, think twice about cutting science and social studies classes.

New Teacher Center’s Brittany Cora, Ed.S., Kim Miller, and CEO Tommy Chang joined the Leading Educators x Playlab AI Design Sprint event. “I learned so much of the technical pieces around building my own AI Bot, but also got to experience the amazing work that so many others are doing with AI in their schools, districts, and with their partners in service of better outcomes for the students we serve.” — Brittany Cora, Director of Programs and Partnerships Attendees explored the intersection between AI and education, working in collaboration to generate innovative AI solutions. “The AI design sprint was an incredibly enriching experience. I especially loved the community-driven approach that fostered a supportive environment where everyone could share their ideas and learn from one another. Additionally, the sprint's inclusive design ensured that participants of all levels of AI expertise felt valued and empowered. Thank you, Leading Educators, Playlab, and fellow sprinters,” said Vice President of Technology Services Kim Miller.

Effective professional learning must help teachers meet the demands of a complex job to nurture lifelong learning in students. Yesterday’s one-and-done professional development just doesn’t cut it. Thankfully, field knowledge about promising alternatives is building. Practice-oriented, well-designed, and ongoing professional learning connected to quality materials can help educators get better together and realize the full potential in their communities. Learn how to make the most of professional learning time: https://hubs.la/Q02Px7h50

Why is civics education important? Our democracy depends on it. Timely and timeless conversation to kick off Day 2 at Education Leaders of Color. As political landscapes shift and debates around the health of democracy intensify, the necessity for comprehensive civics education has become clear. Current political trends underscore the need for robust civics education in schools and examine how civics education can foster a more inclusive understanding of citizenship that reflects the experiences and contributions of all racial and ethnic groups. Speakers Karen Umemoto, Elizabeth Clay Roy, Matthew Nelsen, Mya Moumen-Baker, & Andrea Foggy-Paxton #edloc2024

Edtech is everywhere, but with so many tools and limited time, how do you know which ones will actually make a difference? A recent Education Week article shares key lessons from three districts on how they chose which edtech tools to integrate into their math instruction: ?? Success depends on using digital tools that align with rigorous, standards-based learning. ?? Tools that provide immersive, real-world problem-solving experiences help students better understand math concepts.? ?? Strong infrastructure and professional development are essential for consistent, meaningful implementation. ?? Read the full article here: https://hubs.la/Q02Pkrfs0 Whether you’re a classroom teacher, school leader, or system leader, choosing which tools to adopt, adapt, or abandon is key to long-term success. Our VATT Value Reflection Tool can help you evaluate the impact of tech-enhanced practices on learning, instruction, or professional development. Use this reflection scale to identify which tools have the most positive impact and deserve to become a regular part of your practice. ??? Get your copy: https://hubs.la/Q02PkJQX0

?????? In today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape, AI presents a unique opportunity to enhance teaching and learning for all students. While educators are experimenting with generative AI tools, the big question remains: How can we effectively implement AI to realize its full potential in education? In collaboration with Playlab AI, we recently hosted an AI Design Sprint at MIT Media Lab to tackle that question. Over two days, more than 100 educators, students, district leaders, and partners engaged in hands-on experimentation to explore practical AI applications in transforming classroom instruction.? ?? Read about what we learned: https://hubs.la/Q02PksCG0

The promise of bringing AI into classrooms isn’t just about using AI for the sake of it. The real potential is in how we use it to help students take charge of their own learning. It’s not just about the tech—it’s about changing the learning experience so every student has the knowledge, tools and confidence to pursue their goals and aspirations. ? Last month, we hosted an AI Tools Design Sprint at the MIT Media Lab, where we explored how AI can work in classrooms, district offices, board rooms, and nonprofit spaces. You can read about it on the Leading Educators blog. It was amazing to see people take ideas and turn them into actual, working tools using Playlab AI. Once you see those sparks of excitement and discovery, it’s hard not to want the same thing for students. At the heart of all this, I'm most energized by the idea of giving students more ownership over their learning—creating environments where they can take the lead, make choices, and actively shape their own learning. Next month, we’re continuing this work with the launch of the AI School Team Collaborative in Denver, where 18 school teams from across the country will come together to develop AI-enabled practices designed to empower students and deepen learning.?I’m really excited to keep sharing this journey and the new possibilities for the future of education! ?? #StudentEmpowerment #EdTech #AIInEducation #FutureOfLearning #InnovationInLearning

"Anywhere generative #AI tools can help #teachers focus on their core roles and feel most effective with #students, 'I think that increases just enjoyment of the job and a sense of satisfaction.'" Check out this great piece by Anna Merod of K-12 Dive, including insight from Bree Dusseault of the Center on Reinventing Public Education, about how districts like Mesquite ISD are thoughtfully using generative AI to redesign critical aspects of the teaching role. https://lnkd.in/et99vVTv