EL Magazine

A school or district’s instructional culture defines and undergirds its core work of teaching and learning. It encompasses a learning organization’s approaches to curriculum development, lesson planning, professional learning and support, educator morale, technology integration, and instructional practice. Most of all, it conveys a vision for transformational learning and supports system-wide integration of that vision. The March 2025 issue highlights steps education leaders can take to create instructional cultures that are more dynamic, coherent, and teacher- and student-centered. Read it here: https://lnkd.in/eWYTfXzQ

Classroom observations are effective when the teachers observe with intention—and it’s up to school leaders to orchestrate these opportunities. Promote collective growth by giving teachers opportunities to learn from one another. Read "Leading for Vicarious Learning" by Ann Mausbach & Jenni Donohoo: https://lnkd.in/eyPzQ2T6 #Education #SchoolLeadership #TeacherGrowth

I'm incredibly excited to share this exceptional ASCD EL Magazine article written by my very good University of Pennsylvania and researchED United States colleague and friend, Michael-Joseph Mercanti-Anthony, Ed.D! Michael does an exceptional job of delineating the differences between traditional curriculum and grade level teams as compared to instructional leadership teams (ILTs). He clearly outlines the challenges schools currently face when seeking to improve instructional practice as well as provides solutions to move theory to action. I am honored to be cited in this work alongside Charlotte Danielson of The Danielson Group. Thank you to Kim Marshall for featuring this piece in last week's Marshall Memo! #professionallearning #personalizedPL #StillLearning #PD #PL #capacitybuilding #instructionalleadership #ILT

"Teachers, like students, engage in the process of productive struggle constantly. They just have to do it alone." In a new EL article, Sarah Schneider Kavanagh, Lauren Szczesny, and Tess Bernhard introduce learning labs—a powerful approach that breaks down classroom walls for real-time teacher collaboration. You wouldn't take a swimmer out of a pool to learn the breaststroke, so why take teachers out of classrooms to learn best practices? By shifting from backward-looking reflection or forward-looking planning to in-the-moment collaboration, learning labs transform how teachers learn together. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ejZ3tH3Q #Education #TeacherCollaboration #ProfessionalLearning

After 25 years and 100,000 educators, Jim Knight has identified these 5 myths that often derail teacher professional development. Knight's myth-busting approach helps leaders create the conditions where teachers develop powerful goals they're personally committed to hitting—because those goals respond to their most pressing concerns for students. Read "Five Myths About Teacher Professional Learning": https://lnkd.in/eB_FPW2z #Education #ProfessionalLearning #SchoolLeadership

?? How can we help students become more effective critical thinkers? It starts with teaching them how to give and receive feedback. In this EL Magazine article, Nancy Frey and Douglas Fisher co-authors of the Instructional Insights column—explore how student-led feedback promotes metacognition and ownership over learning. By shifting the focus from teacher-driven evaluation to peer-led discussions, students refine their thinking and deepen their understanding. Read more here! ?? https://hubs.li/Q039Z8mP0 #StudentLedFeedback #CriticalThinking #PeerLearning #EducationMatters #EdLeadership

40% of teachers leave the profession within their first five years—and classroom management is often one of the biggest challenges they face. In this exclusive excerpt from the new ASCD book "Building a Strong Foundation," principal Michelle Rachel Hope, Ed.D offers two powerful frameworks to help new teachers maintain positive relationships while effectively addressing behavior issues. Read the Blog here: https://lnkd.in/e4ekwBJU #Education #ClassroomManagement #TeacherRetention #SchoolLeadership

"Whether we intend to or not, responding negatively to curiosity sends a subtle message that students shouldn't ask questions." Classroom teacher Jennifer Orr reminds us how easily adults can unintentionally dampen the natural curiosity children bring to school. She challenges educators to nurture students' questions rather than dismiss them—creating classrooms where wonder drives learning. After all, "We have much to learn from the curiosity children so naturally exhibit." Read more: https://lnkd.in/ePRRTxWW #Education #StudentEngagement #Teaching #Curiosity

Want better student outcomes? Focus on one or two priorities, not flashy fads. In EL, Mike Schmoker makes the case that differentiation and discovery learning aren't the magic bullets they're made out to be. Instead, research consistently shows three foundational practices deliver results: coherent content-rich curriculum, structured whole-class instruction, and authentic literacy. Let's do the "right things" well, consistently: https://lnkd.in/eSVG8fwG #Education #SchoolLeadership #TeachingAndLearning

Toxic, "good enough," or 100%—which school culture do you have? "Culture eats strategy for breakfast," and Robyn Jackson, Mindsteps knows it. Her new article in EL shows how to transform your school into a powerhouse of student success by building: ? Clarity about what success looks like ? Confidence that it's possible for every student ? Competence to make it happen No slogans. No empty inspiration. Just a blueprint for a culture where 100% truly means 100%. Read it here: https://lnkd.in/etYzcMQ5 #SchoolLeadership #SchoolCulture