Shaped

A community-driven blog supporting educators, building lifelong learners, and shaping the future of education.* 

 

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March Expanding Comfort Zone 2

Expanding Your Comfort Zone Through Practice as an Educator

If constant practice over a course of years is necessary to climb a rock, the same can be said of teaching and leading in schools.

Anthony Colannino
Senior Fellow, the Center for Model Schools; Leading & Teaching for Growth, LLC; Author of Leading with Head and Heart

Prioritizing SEL

Why and How One District Prioritized Social-Emotional Learning

When we focus on the whole child, teachers have more time to support learning, and academic achievement increases.

Dina Rocheleau
Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, Ferndale Public Schools, Michigan

March Eric Sheninger 2

Building a Professional Learning Network as an Education Leader

A professional learning network (PLN) can offer a constant supply of resources, thought-provoking discussions, leadership strategies, and ways to integrate technology.

Eric Sheninger
Senior Fellow, the Center for Model Schools; Aspire Change EDU; Keynote Speaker; Author

The Power of a Letter

The Power of a Letter: How a Grading Change Inspired Growth Mindset

One school replaced the "F" grade with the "I" grade, standing for "incomplete" or "insufficient amount of evidence," which inspired a growth mindset culture.

Robert Bowman
Principal, Harrison Middle School

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Carmen Sandiego at SXSW EDU 2019

“Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego?” is a common question with an elusive answer. On March 5, 2019, Carmen Sandiego was in Austin, Texas, for SXSW EDU.

Onalee Smith
Shaped Contributor

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See What You Missed at SXSW EDU 2019

Catch up on what you missed at SXSW EDU 2019 in HMH's video series with featured speakers to talk about the highlights of their sessions.

Onalee Smith
Shaped Contributor

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Vision to Impact: Building Relationships One Child at a Time

After attending the 2018 Model Schools Conference, three educators launched a plan to build stronger relationships between staff and students.

Erika Gilbert
Math AIS Teacher, Gillette Road Middle School

Monica Fitzgerald
Reading AIS Teacher, Gillette Road Middle School

Cynthia Ciesla
5th and 6th Grade AIS Reading and Math Teacher, Gillette Road Middle School

MSC Music Festival

Why a Good Education Conference Is Like a Music Festival

Professional learning conferences for educators—like the Annual Model Schools Conference—function in much the same way as music festivals.

Kelly Boeing
Assistant Principal, Lucerne Valley Middle High School

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Improving Classroom Instruction in a Digital World

The Rigor/Relevance Framework gives students the opportunity to take more ownership of their growth and development.

Eric Sheninger
Senior Fellow, the Center for Model Schools; Aspire Change EDU; Keynote Speaker; Author

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SXSW EDU 2019: 4 Sessions Not to be Missed

HMH will be at SXSW EDU in Austin, Texas, March 4–7, with sessions on equity in education, the new Carmen Sandiego, the future of K-12 education, and more.

Caitlin Henault
Senior Communications Associate, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Blended Coaching

Using Blended Learning to Maximize Coaching: A Leader’s Reflection

This approach to coaching is flexible, engaging, and provides immediate feedback to educators.

Dr. Monica Robinson
K-12 Academic Support Programs Coordinator, Virginia Beach City Public Schools

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Is It Time for Schools to Teach Social Media and Tech Safety?

With the explosion of one-to-one device usage, schools should develop specific technology competencies around safety, time management, and positive peer interaction.

Anthony Colannino
Senior Fellow, the Center for Model Schools; Leading & Teaching for Growth, LLC; Author of Leading with Head and Heart

Evidence Notebook00

What Are Evidence Notebooks in the Science Classroom?

Students use evidence notebooks to record observations and predictions, make sketches, and note questions that they have.

Michael DiSpezio
Author, ScienceFusion and HMH Science Dimensions Programs

Education Not Broken

Debunking the 'Education Is Broken' Myth

Thought leader Weston Kieschnick argues that education isn't broken. The tools we use to teach are just changing.

Weston Kieschnick
Associate Partner, ICLE

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Shifting Focus to Rigor and Relevance: A District's Path to Change

After MSC 2018, these educators leveraged the Rigor/Relevance Framework to bring their district's mission and vision statements to life.

Allison Pape
Director of Secondary and Advanced Academics, Seguin ISD

Danica Murillo
Director of Professional Learning, Seguin ISD

K12 Districts

3 Issues K-12 School Districts Need to Address This Year

In a keynote presentation, thought leader Dr. Bill Daggett explored the need to prepare students for a tech-driven world and teach them noncognitive skills.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

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3 Tips From Meenoo Rami for Successful Mentoring and Networking

Meenoo Rami and Dr. Robert Peters discuss tips for successful mentoring and networking, for both new and seasoned educators alike, at the 26th Annual Model Schools Conference.

Onalee Smith
Shaped Contributor

Lucerne School

Focusing on the Whole Child: How One Educator Acted for Impact

An educator details how she used what she learned at the 2018 Model Schools Conference to make a difference at her new school district.

Kelly Boeing
Assistant Principal, Lucerne Valley Middle High School