Join Stefanie Crawford and Don Sturm is 🤔 as they sit down with 2024 Illinois Teacher of the Year and an #IDEAcon 2026 Keynote Speaker @drmahmood.bsky.social to explore what it really means to build belonging in schools. Listen now at https://ideail.org/ThatsTheIdeaPodcast#IDEAcon #IDEAil #EduSky

Don't miss the second round of call for proposals for #IDEAcon that is OPEN through Friday, November, 14! Perfect for an idea you’ve been cultivating or a brand new spark. Your idea might be exactly what someone else needs to transform their practice. https://bit.ly/ideacon26cfp2#IDEAcon #IDEAil #EduSky

Don Sturm is 🤔 looks at the technology landscape and asks the question: "Should school mirror the 'real' world, or should it act as a frontline defense against the parts of that world that we feel harm students?" http://www.ideaillinois.org/balanceintechworldblog. #IDEAil #EduSky

The second call for proposals is now open for #IDEAcon 2026. They're only open through next Friday, November 14, so if you have a great idea to share or you wanted to submit a proposal before but missed the deadline, now is your chance! https://bit.ly/ideacon26cfp2#IDEAcon #IDEAil #EduSky

Read how 2024-2025 IDEA mini-grant winner Betsy Monke in Pleasant Plains, IL planned, prepared, implemented, and reflected on her funded project in her blog post "Coding through Stories." 🔗 Read now at http://www.ideaillinois.org/codingthroughstoriesblog #IDEAil #EduSky

Join the IDEA Northern Suburbs Chapter and Google Education Senior Program Manager, Jenn Brown, for a fun and FREE fabulous 2-hour hands-on workshop dedicated to mastering the powerful AI combination of NotebookLM and Gemini. Register now at https://ideail.org/AIdreamteam11625! #IDEAil #EduSky

“AI and the Regression of the Teenage Brain” is an important perspective from our intern who is also a current high school student. Are students losing critical thinking skills? Are teachers outsourcing trust to tech? Read it at http://www.ideaillinois.org/aiandteenagebrainsblog #IDEAil #EduSky

So... US importers must pay Trump's tariffs. If the recent ruling issued by an appeals court (that the tariffs are illegal) stands, they will be refunded. The firm buying up refund rights is run by none other than sons of Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick Follow the money

The AHA has signed on to the @acls1919.bsky.social’s Statement Regarding the White House Review of Smithsonian Institution Museums. The review “supersedes the oversight of professional scholars and makes the museums tools of the presidential administration.” 🗃️

Are your tests *really* giving you a complete picture of student learning? Check out these 9 evidence-based tweaks to see if your assessment practice needs a makeover! 🔧 #assessment #EduSky

Read the latest blog from our partners at @wevideo.bsky.social as they explore how video learning can be a powerful method for amplifying student voice and valuing original thought. www.ideaillinois.org/amplifystude... #EduSky #IDEAil #EdTech #education

And don't forget, friends: Paying teachers better isn't just about fairness. Horace Mann said it in 1839: Paying teachers more = improving YOUR school and YOUR family's future.

Bold action beats uncertain funding. #IDEAcon Super Saver registration ends Friday 8/1 at 11:59 PM CT. Prioritize PD, equity, and educator joy without needing names just yet. Every badge is a stand for staff development, despite unjust Title II withholding. ideail.org/IDEAcon26sup... #EduSky #IDEAil

The heat index says "stay inside"—we say, "great, it’s proposal-writing season." 😎 #IDEAcon 2026 is looking for voices like yours to empower and engage educators from Feb 9–11 in Schaumburg. Deadline: Aug 4. Make this your coolest move of the summer. ideail.org/IDEAcon26CFP #EduSky #IDEAil

Up to 8.5 hours of PD for $29 for non-members? But wait, $19 for members, and membership is free! Sign Up: ideaillinois.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/i... Membership: ideaillinois.app.neoncrm.com/forms/idea-m...

Keep the convo going with #SlowChat & join us in August on Wednesdays! 🎶📚 See you next school year! 🚀💛 #TLSkyChat #TLSky

“I don’t even know what I’m supposed to write down!” ✍️ If your middle schoolers feel this way about note-taking, you’re not alone. Help students make sense of their notes instead of just scribbling lessons down verbatim with these teacher-tested strategies. #EduSky #MiddleSchoolTeacher

“Every teacher needs to be a literacy teacher.” This keynote moment hit hard. 🎥 Watch the clip: www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrWp... 🔗 Booking info: www.lifelonglearningdefined.com #KeynoteWisdom #SpeakerLife #LifelongLearningDefined #jorgeDoesPBL #EdLeadership #TeacherPD

Aspiring educators like Alayna rely on Pell Grants to pay bills and stay in school—but that path is under threat. The Trump administration wants to dismantle the Dept. of Ed, putting Pell Grants on the line. With 1 in 3 undergraduates relying on them, we can’t afford these cuts. bit.ly/4bUb4s2

Want to introduce students to notable women who exemplify perseverance, creativity, and strength of character? Look to these picture books, including: The Leaf Detective by @heatherlangbooks.bsky.social 🍃 Queen of Physics by @teresarobeson.bsky.social ⚛️ And more! 📚 #literacy #WomensHistory

In 1943 the US government made an antifascist film called "Don't Be a Sucker" in which we see a college professor in Germany removed from his classroom by government officials who do not approve of what he's teaching about race. youtu.be/vGAqYNFQdZ4?...

To prepare students for high-stakes assignments later on, try offering plenty of low-stakes writing opportunities now. 📝 Discover ideas for every grade level: #literacy #WritingPrompts #education

Great things going on at the IDEA Exchange in the exhibition hall @ideaillinois.bsky.social #ideacon2025

Big turn out for a @canva @CanvaEdu session in the IDEA exchange at #IDEAcon25 @ideaillinois.bsky.social @mrnunesteach.bsky.social

✍️ Preserving Authenticity in Student Writing in the Age of Generative AI Instead of panicking about AI cheating, I'm showing students how to use AI ethically while keeping writing meaningful and personal. 🤖💡Full post ⬇️ https://buff.ly/3O18Iwp #teachers #EduSky #EduSkyAI

Anyone else love this as much as I do? @jilliande.bsky.social @mikelawrence.me @pulleyedu.bsky.social @nieb77.bsky.social @tishaponcio.bsky.social @lesliefisher.bsky.social @lemanskyrachel.bsky.social @rdene915.bsky.social @beckykeene.com @annkozma723.bsky.social @evohannan.bsky.social

Six days left before #IDEAcon there is still time to register and attend. ➡️ www.ideaillinois.org/IDEAcon @ideaillinois.bsky.social @mrscford.bsky.social @sturmdon.bsky.social @drtjohnson.bsky.social @feketeedu.bsky.social @victoriathetech.bsky.social @mrnunesteach.bsky.social

SO EXCITED to see everyone tomorrow night at 8:30 ET. We'll be discussing family engagement on #MSChat and hope you can join us! #TLAP #SunChat #BFC530

IDEAcon 2025 is February 17-19th have you registered yet? web.cvent.com/event/2b969f... @ideaillinois.bsky.social @sturmdon.bsky.social @rinkeljeremy.bsky.social @mrscford.bsky.social @drtjohnson.bsky.social @mrnunesteach.bsky.social @victoriathetech.bsky.social

Heading to #FETC this week. 1st time attending. Need to find a place for my daily selfie and dad joke. Need suggestions Hit me up if you want to be part of the selfie.. The more the better.

"The fastest way to embed a Google Slides or YouTube into a Google Sites is to DOUBLE CLICK." https://alicekeeler.com/2021/11/16/3-google-sites-things-to-try/ #googleEDU #EduSky

These tips can help improve school culture, with fewer students sent to the principal’s office.

From preschool_vibes_ on IG: “🕒✨ Embracing Visual Schedules in Our Preschool Classroom! ✨🕒 Discover the importance of visual schedules in our preschool! These schedules help our young learners understand daily routines, easing transitions and reducing anxiety.”

Thank you @network4pubed.bsky.social for this great resource. You can look up charter school scandals by state and type. There are 98 in TX alone. Vouchers will make this problem worse. #EduSky

Thank you @retroreport.bsky.social for hosting this lively and productive discussion today…good fun!

Build your community! 👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽

I’ve had a lot of new followers in the past few weeks - far more than I could keep up with. If you are a teacher and think we should be connected, reply with your role in education and I’ll follow you back. If you are a teacher union activist, let me know and I’ll add you to my starter pack.

So I’ve had my 1st Black History Month event cancellation because of “DEI concerns,” citing a fear of frivolous suits. Funny thing is, I don’t do DEI, I’m a historian of the Black American experience. A reminder that DEI is just a dog whistle about suppressing history, if you need a reminder.

🎉 Do you have plans for the 100th day of school #EduSky? 💡 I’ve put together 9 tech-friendly project ideas to celebrate this milestone. 📚 From collaborative 100-page digital books to 100 acts of kindness trackers, these activities are ready for you to customize. classtechtips.com/2024/12/18/1...

Opening night for Les Miserables in Chicago last night. Our kids, plus “adopted” one and friends.

Tomorrow is the first day of #DitchSummit get ready to journal your learning with our conference notebook! #EduSky read.bookcreator.com/xeELTOK6aEVt...

Don’t forget #DitchSummit is the ultimate #LaterChat because all the sessions are available throughout the summit! Watch when you have the time or energy to dig into the content. 👏🏽

It’s almost like taxing the rich is a good idea

Chronic absenteeism is an issue even in small, rural schools. See support ideas in this @edutopia.org article bu John Bird www.edutopia.org/article/redu...

I have been working on a new session on "AI for Social Studies" that covers using AI for Prompts, Role Playing, Debates, Simulations, Content Aggregation & Custom Maps. Here is the resource doc (with slideshow linked inside): bit.ly/curts-aisoc Would love feedback & suggestions! #EduSky #EduSkyAI

Hi #EduSky -Qs for #EduSkyAI 1 How has AI been useful to you outside of edu? 2 How can we teach Ss to use AI in ways similar to all the amazing things in Q1? 3 Beyond academics, what are some ways you see AI impacting your life? 4 Which AI Agents have you explored, & in which do you find most value?