Classcraft is an innovative educational role-playing game designed to transform the classroom experience by leveraging the concept of gamification to boost student engagement and improve academic performance. Developed by the technology company HMH (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) Today, Classcraft integrates seamlessly with existing curriculum and instructional tools, providing educators with a dynamic platform to manage classroom … Read more
TeacherMade is an innovative tool designed to help teachers create interactive digital worksheets that transform traditional classroom activities into engaging and dynamic learning experiences. Developed by Laura Bresko, a veteran educator who understood the unique challenges faced by teachers, TeacherMade offers a comprehensive solution to several common educational pain points, including teacher burnout, the overwhelming … Read more
In the ever-evolving landscape of education, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) tools has become crucial for fostering innovative learning experiences (and making your life just a little easier). Among the myriad options available, MagicSchool stands out as the leading AI platform, with over 1 million educators worldwide embracing its magic. MagicSchool is truly designed … Read more
In today’s fast-paced educational landscape, teachers are constantly seeking innovative tools to enhance their students’ learning experiences. One such tool that has gained traction is Diffit, an AI-based platform designed to facilitate differentiated instruction. Teachers can leverage Diffit to cater to diverse learning needs, foster critical thinking, and streamline comprehension checks. Step into my series … Read more
Have you ever considered becoming an edupreneur? The term might be new to you, but it represents a fascinating opportunity for educators to step into the world of entrepreneurship within the education industry. Edupreneurship empowers teachers to transcend the traditional boundaries of the classroom, allowing them to shape their destinies and contribute to a positive … Read more
It’s interesting to consider how the pillars of student success have changed over the years. Today my family was out taking a bike ride around our neighborhood. We live on a big, three-mile loop, so there are always people exercising. I mentioned to my husband that, while we were both working the other day (we … Read more
One of the most common challenges when choosing a new teacher planner is finding one that meets all a teacher’s needs. I would often have my school planner for my day-to-day and a separate personal life planner. It was such a waste of space and time (and I never had the one I needed where … Read more
Teachers are unique in that we are always trying to hone our craft, yet we often don’t have the time or resources to do it effectively. How many times have you attended a stellar PD workshop and then never actually got a chance to implement what you learned effectively because there just isn’t the opportunity … Read more
The best part about teaching primary school students is that for those first years, so many of them are excited about learning. Every day is a new adventure and it isn’t as difficult to get student buy-in for whatever silly lesson you have planned for that day. This doesn’t mean that lesson planning for the … Read more
As time marches forward in education, we are finding that students are becoming micromanaged to a fault. Whereas teachers have the responsibility of making sure that their students learn the specific curriculum and content material, it is creating a generation of students who don’t know how to take initiative and find out the answers to … Read more
April 2026 note: This is a very brief overview of ChatGPT, written shortly after its release. It discusses both how to use it and how to prevent students from using it. I encourage you to read up on AI data centers if you are not familiar with the controversies surrounding them. ChatGPT is an artificial … Read more
Many school districts have implemented the Marzano observation model of teacher evaluation. The Marzano Focused Teacher Evaluation Model was one of the first formal observations to be implemented in schools across the country. It was created to address concerns with teacher evaluations and provide specific criteria for what should be observed during an evaluation. The … Read more