How does a molecular biologist-turned-middle school teacher end up shaping national education policy from inside the Obama White House? In this episode, Steve Robinson—a former university professor, public school teacher, and White House education advisor—walks us through his untraditional journey into education and his evolving belief that every teacher deserves ongoing support.

Dr. Tiffany Anderson, Superintendent of Topeka Public Schools and a nationally recognized education leader, shares how embedding leadership within the lived realities of students, families, and teachers can reshape entire systems. As the first Black woman to lead the historic Topeka district, Dr. Anderson has built a blueprint for sustainable transformation—one rooted in equity, proximity, and purpose.

Summer PD holds big potential—but without the right structure, even the most well-intentioned sessions can miss the mark. Avoid common planning pitfalls and set your educators up for lasting success with these five smart strategies.

As district leaders prepare for year-end reflections and budget conversations, one document can make all the difference: your professional development impact report. More than a summary, it's your opportunity to prove that investing in educator growth directly drives student success.

In this episode, Dyane Smokorowski shares how Wichita Public Schools is using AI to transform professional learning and instructional design. She offers practical ways to support educators while keeping pedagogy, equity, and curiosity at the center.

Most teachers improve quickly early in their careers—but research shows that growth often levels off, even with continued professional development. In this post, we share key takeaways from Dr. Dan Goldhaber’s conversation on The Best of Us podcast, highlighting what truly drives sustained teacher growth and how district leaders can build systems that support it.

The final month of school isn’t just about wrapping up—it’s about setting up. District leaders who act now can turn reflection into strategy and momentum into meaningful growth.

As district leaders plan for the year ahead, staffing challenges are more than a logistical hurdle—they’re a defining factor for student success. High rates of teacher and principal turnover are reshaping what it takes to build strong, sustainable school communities.

Building a lasting culture of instructional coaching doesn’t happen overnight. In Fairfax County Public Schools, it took years of intentional partnership, clear vision, and a belief that every educator deserves a partner in their growth.

Budget cuts are never easy—especially when they impact the tools and systems that support teaching and learning. But even in lean years, district leaders can make strategic decisions that keep progress moving forward.

Most coaching programs focus on strategies and surface-level fixes—but that’s not what drives lasting change. Transformational coaching expert Elena Aguilar explains why real impact starts with shifting beliefs, not just behaviors.

Strategic planning doesn’t pause just because your team is at capacity — but pushing forward without space to think can lead to burnout or misalignment. Here’s how to make meaningful, system-level progress even when time and bandwidth are in short supply.

You can have high attendance at every PD session and still miss the mark. Without meaningful feedback from teachers, it’s nearly impossible to know what’s resonating, what’s falling short, or how to improve. So why are feedback rates so stubbornly low—and what can districts do about it?

Frequent leadership changes and district restructuring can derail professional learning efforts by disrupting data collection and evaluation. To protect the impact of coaching and professional development, school systems need a resilient data strategy that endures through transition.

Instructional coaching has the power to transform teaching and learning, but its impact depends on how well it is structured and supported. In a conversation with coaching expert Diane Sweeney, we explored the key strategies that help coaches build strong partnerships, create intentional plans, and drive meaningful student growth.