Differentiated instruction is effective when support is embedded in grade-level instruction—not isolated from it. This aligns with decades of research on explicit instruction, flexible grouping & retrieval practice. I share a practical 6-step lesson framework here: bit.ly/4qPMUpo #EduSky

Titles create authority. Trust creates influence. Research by Lopes et al. (2004) shows emotional intelligence predicts relationship quality and leadership effectiveness — key conditions for influence in organizations. Where do you see this play out in schools or systems? #EduSky

Decades of education research show the same pattern: meaningful engagement improves motivation, academic performance & attendance. Tools can support that work, but they don’t create it. Skilled, caring teachers do. If innovation isn’t improving those outcomes, what problem is it solving? #edusky

We sometimes ask students to “do better” without ever teaching them how. This piece explores why explicit instruction in learning habits matters and how level-setting helps students become stakeholders in their own success. #EduSky #TeacherSky 🔗 www.edutopia.org/article/guid...

Most teams aren’t burned out from the work alone. They’re burned out from the emotional environment. When leaders bring pressure into every meeting, that pressure becomes the culture. What helps you stay grounded before a high-stakes conversation?

I used to think being “good at conflict” meant having the best comeback and the strongest point. But most arguments aren’t about logic. When people feel disrespected, unheard, or dismissed, the facts don’t matter. The leadership move is simple: stop trying to win and start trying to understand.

If your growth is capped, your voice isn’t valued, and your gut keeps saying “move”… pay attention. 3 ways to know when it’s time to leave your school or district. Link: medium.com/the-path-to-...

The smartest AI integration in schools isn’t tools. It’s instructional design. What’s your go-to teaching structure or strategy for making thinking visible?

STOP TRYING TO WIN. “Harsh starts” escalate conflict fast—Gottman found they predict negative outcomes in communication (Gottman, 1994). 3 steps: Hear them out → affirm → meet halfway. Keep the standard. Keep the relationship.

AI can be guided—or it can replace thinking. Not every day. Not every lesson. But students need real PBL + AI literacy. When students understand how they think, they can guide the tools. When they don’t, AI just gives answers.

Grateful for the educators who shared a meal (and their wisdom) with us during #FETC. 🧡 Thank you @teacherwinters.bsky.social, @lemanskyrachel.bsky.social, @tobyfischer.bsky.social, @tannenbaumtech.bsky.social, @jorgedoespbl.bsky.social, @kipglazer.bsky.social, and @drracheledoho-eket.bsky.social!

Teacher burnout is strongly associated with initiative overload & lack of coherence, not resistance to change (Skaalvik & Skaalvik, 2017). Focus isn’t a personality trait. It’s a leadership decision. What’s currently pulling your teachers in too many directions?

When work time lacks structure, students don’t collaborate—they coast. No protocols. No sentence stems. No clarity about thinking. That’s not a motivation problem. It’s an instructional design problem. Strong teaching starts with a structure teachers can rely on — especially during work time.

AI literacy isn’t just tool use. It’s critical evaluation. Research defines AI literacy as understanding and judging AI outputs—not simply using them (Ng et al., Computers & Education: AI, 2021). If students can’t explain why an answer works, they’re AI‑dependent. That’s not future‑ready.

Professional development fails not because teachers resist learning, but because schools confuse presenting information with facilitating change. Real learning requires follow-through, trust, and context—not one-off sessions.

Most educators have at least one student they didn’t give up on. That decision can change a life—sometimes decades later. Longitudinal research shows that students who experience strong teacher–student relationships have higher persistence & outcomes. Caring and skilled teachers matter.

Data shows 64% of recent education separations were due to resignations. Teachers aren't leaving because they lost their "spark." They are leaving because they are unsupported. We need to move to consistent Action Research protocols that support our teams. Protect your people with systems.

Differentiation in teaching is widely misunderstood. It isn’t about more strategies or more prep. It’s about translation. When learning connects to students’ identity and interests, rigor stops being the barrier. Relevance isn’t a tactic. It’s the mechanism for engagement.

PD doesn’t fail because teachers resist it. It fails because schools skip adoption. I see this: We measure outcomes before alignment exists. We look for impact before shared clarity. We ask teachers to change without changing systems. Curious how others are handling adoption in their schools.

Differentiation in teaching is widely misunderstood. It isn’t about more strategies or more prep. It’s about translation. When learning connects to students’ identity and interests, rigor stops being the barrier. Relevance isn’t a tactic. It’s the mechanism for engagement.

Data shows 64% of recent education separations were due to resignations. Teachers aren't leaving because they lost their "spark." They are leaving because they are unsupported. We need to move to consistent Action Research protocols that support our teams. Protect your people with systems.

Unpopular opinion 2026: The "New Year Reset" is an illusion. We mistake the calendar change for actual change. But progress isn't built in dramatic moments or "new energy." It's built in the boring, everyday moments when you don't feel like doing the work. Forget the slogans. Build systems.

2025 didn’t go according to plan. I chose to accept it and work within my span of control. I focused on the inputs: • Faith • Family • Intentionality 2026 won’t be easy. But we do what’s required today. We learn to be comfortable being uncomfortable. The rest is in God’s hands.

Stop holding your team accountable for what they don't know. Start holding them accountable for what they don't want to know. There is a massive difference. One kills trust. The other builds it.

(2/2) Effective leaders do the inner work before they step up to the podium. Heal first, lead second.

(1/2) The most dangerous trend in leadership right now is "Premature Honesty" disguised as Vulnerability. True vulnerability builds trust because it’s a shared lesson (the scar). Premature honesty destroys psychological safety because it’s unprocessed emotion (the wound).

(1/2) The most dangerous trend in leadership right now is "Premature Honesty" disguised as Vulnerability. True vulnerability builds trust because it’s a shared lesson (the scar). Premature honesty destroys psychological safety because it’s unprocessed emotion (the wound).

Big change doesn’t come from big moments. It comes from quiet decisions you’re willing to honor consistently.

Holiday season reflection: Before reconnecting, ask whether the relationship adds value or unnecessary stress. Discernment protects both your peace and your growth. Full article: bit.ly/4qkAB3w

I joined The Human Intelligence Movement (@hi4ai.bsky.social) podcast with Tim Needles and Kim Abel, both featured speakers at FETC 2026. Thanks to Michelle Ament and Arvin Ross for hosting a timely, human-centered conversation. Watch here: www.youtube.com/live/fcRjBFF...

Passion isn’t universal—& purpose doesn’t require it. Research on motivation shows engagement grows through autonomy, competence, and exploration. Interests develop over time when learners are supported in building skills & reflecting. Teach how to learn. youtube.com/shorts/qBYPk...

Strong leadership distinguishes between ignorance and resistance. We support people who don’t know yet. We hold accountable those who refuse to learn. Curiosity grows in safe environments — and leaders set the tone.

“How can leaders take control of their time, ensuring that the day is spent on high-impact tasks that make a pronounced difference to teaching and learning in schools?” 🕰️ Longtime school leaders Robert Feirsen and Seth Weitzman share strategies. #SchoolLeaders #Principals

Strength and positivity can still coexist with chronic anxiety. Michelle Moore shares how physical symptoms revealed what mindset alone couldn’t. Worth the listen — LLD Podcast. YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZSM... Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/7ce6...

Healing doesn’t stop the pain from returning. It gives you the tools to meet it with clarity. That’s what emotionally intelligent leadership looks like. From my keynote: Heal Before You Reveal.

Hard work eventually becomes talent. Progress isn’t loud at first. It’s quiet repetition, skill-building, and consistency over time. Stay with it.

AI is accelerating. Leadership can’t be passive. In this conversation with Lauren Kaufman, we talk about why human intelligence has to lead AI, not the other way around. 🎧 open.spotify.com/episode/3rcS...

Research shows happiness isn’t sustained by external rewards alone. For students, joy and engagement grow when learning aligns with interests, passions, and personal meaning. Interest-driven projects are a strong place to start.

When students aren’t meaningfully engaged, deep learning is unlikely to happen. Research consistently shows a strong link between engagement and achievement. Instructional improvement has to address how learning is designed — not just curriculum coverage. High-yield strategies aren’t add-ons.

Is your class becoming a little zany toward the holidays? 🤪 Try these steps to overcome the preschool engagement lull. #preschool #PreK #EduSky

By ensuring systems are documented, school leaders can set their teachers up to successfully navigate the school year, asking questions and reflecting along the way. ⭐ #SchoolLeaders #Principals #EduSky

Progress isn’t measured by how you feel today. It’s measured by who you’re becoming over time. It’s okay not to be okay—but it’s not okay to stay there. Never neglect your mindset.

Relationships determine everything. When someone sees potential in you and gives you a chance, that moment can transform your life’s direction. A short summer job became the spark that shaped my entire career. #Leadership #KeynoteWisdom #EduSpeaker

Emotional intelligence shows up in how you interpret behavior. Words can sound convincing, but patterns never lie. Actions reveal truth. Set limits Save this for later and send it to someone who needs it. #HealBeforeYouReveal #EmotionallyIntelligentLeadership #Leadership #Education #JorgeDoesPBL

A single question can prevent most arguments: “Why do you feel that way?” If the other person doesn’t want resolution, step back. #EmotionallyIntelligentLeadership #Leadership #JorgeDoesPBL

When students engage in work that connects to their interests, achievement, motivation, engagement, and attendance all rise. The research has been clear for years. The strongest driver is the skilled teacher who knows their students. #InstructionalLeadership #Education #JorgeDoesPBL

Our annual research roundup is here! Here are 10 takeaways from this year’s must-read education studies—from the power of brain breaks to groundbreaking research on AI, cell phones, and handwriting in the classroom. 🧠✍️ #EdResearch #EduSky

Want better relationships? Send someone a quick message today and appreciate one thing they did well — their attitude, effort, or a skill they showed. Small acknowledgments change everything. Follow for more leadership + EI insights.

Leaders don’t respond on impulse. When someone disrespects you, pause and ask: “Will this matter in 5 minutes, 5 days, 5 months, or 5 years?” If it’s not meaningful, release it. If it is, address it with clarity and a firm boundary. Emotional maturity is a leadership skill.