Unboxing Education

In education, consistency is often championed—but when it comes to setting due dates and AI usage policies, the "one size fits all" approach is more harmful than helpful.  It’s time we acknowledge a simple truth: not all subjects (or students) are the same. So why are we still enforcing blanket rules? 📚 Different Subjects, Different Cognitive Demands Subjects vary not just in content, but in the kind of thinking they require. Consider these examples: Math and Science often rely on sequential problem-solving. Timely practice and feedback are essential. Late work in these subjects may mean missed opportunities to correct misunderstandings before moving forward. English Language Arts requires deeper reflection, drafting, and revision. Rigid due dates can discourage the iterative process that leads to strong writing. Electives like Art, Music, and CTE often assess creativity, iteration, and production over time. Artificial urgency can hinder authentic learning. ...

If you want to know why innovation moves at a glacial pace in K–12 education, look no further than this: the penalty for failure is too high. Innovation thrives in environments where calculated risks are encouraged, failure is seen as data, and learning is iterative. That’s not how our education systems are built. In fact, most departments of education operate in the opposite direction—with rigid accountability structures, limited tolerance for experimentation, and political consequences for getting it wrong. 🎯 High Stakes, Low Risk Tolerance When a school or district tries something new—a new platform, a new schedule, a new grading system—they’re betting with their reputation, their funding, and sometimes even their jobs. Test scores drop during the transition? That might be enough to derail careers. Parents complain? The school board intervenes. One bad press article? The whole initiative dies. It’s no wonder so many schools stick with outdated systems. The known, even if broke...

A smooth start to the school year sets the tone for everything that follows,  especially in the online classroom . Whether you're new to virtual teaching or a seasoned pro, building trust , clarity , and connection early on pays off all year long. Here are three essential steps to help you start strong: ✉️ 1. Send a Welcome Letter That Connects Before students ever click into your LMS, send a warm, clear, and visually friendly welcome letter. Include: 👋 A brief personal introduction (with a photo, if you're comfortable) 📚 A simple overview of what to expect in your class 📬 Preferred communication channels & your response times 🔑 Login instructions and how to get started 🎥 Bonus: Add a short video greeting to help students feel connected, especially in asynchronous or self-paced programs. 📊 Fun fact: A 2014 study found that instructor-generated video content boosted student engagement and satisfaction in online higher ed courses. 🔥 Pro Tip: Use a m...

If you’re a teacher with or without ADHD, you know the importance of finding tasks that not only help you stay productive but also give your brain that rewarding dopamine hit. 🧠✨ The key is to match those tasks with how you naturally feel motivated and appreciated . Hack your brain by applying a framework to your tasks for maximum dopamine hits: 💖 The 5 Love Languages : Describe how people experience and give appreciation. 💡 Clifton Strengths : Focus on individual talents and motivators. ⚠️ Decision fatigue and analysis paralysis are real! Here are some ideas to get you started: 🔋 Dopamine-Boosting Tasks by the 5 Love Languages 💬 Love Language 🔧 Examples of Dopamine-Boosting Tasks Words of Affirmation 💬 Make positive calls or emails home; write thank-you notes; keep a wins journal; post encouraging sticky notes. Quality Time ⏳ Schedule focused 1:1 check-ins; collaborate with colleagues...

Between coaching, consulting, parenting, and studying policy, writing can easily fall to the bottom of my list, even though it's really my first love. I’ve always loved ideas, but the process of getting them out of my brain and onto the page hasn’t always been easy. As someone with ADHD and dyslexia, I often struggle with executive functioning, writer’s block, and imposter syndrome. Generative AI has become a surprising ally—one that’s helped me build momentum, stay productive, and still feel like *myself* in my writing. ⚙️ How I Use AI in My Writing Process I use tools like ChatGPT to draft initial copy for blog posts, workshop materials, emails, and more. I’ll often start by giving a few prompts about the message I want to get across or the audience I’m writing for. The AI helps me generate that first messy draft—the hardest part for my brain to start on its own. Any time I have an idea, rather than just jotting it down on a piece of paper (that, let's be honest, I'm...

After reading “Reimagining School Starts with Reclaiming Time” from Getting Smart , I found myself nodding in agreement—but I’d like to take the conversation a step further. We’ve been promised for years that technology will save us time, increase efficiency, and create more equitable learning experiences. But here’s the reality no one wants to admit: those promises will always fall short in a system that’s fundamentally bound by time . ⏱️ The Problem Isn’t the Tools—It’s the Schedule It doesn’t matter how adaptive, AI-powered, or data-rich our edtech becomes—if we’re still measuring student progress in seat time, daily minutes, or pacing guides, we’re trying to fit a round peg into a square hole. Learning isn’t linear , but our systems are. Time-based structures demand that students move at the same pace, finish on the same day, and absorb the same content in the same way. Even with technology offering flexibility, we’re still building within a rigid frame. 🤖 Tech Promise...