ASCD Connect ASCD Connect

Mike Anderson, author of "Rekindle Your Professional Fire: Powerful Habits for Becoming a More Well-Balanced Teacher,” discusses how educators can put their own unique stamp on lessons even within highly structured curriculum programs—and why this is so important.

Huda Essa, the author of The Consciously Unbiased Educator, discusses how school leaders and educators can disrupt exclusionary practices in schools and utilize diversity as an asset to support greater student achievement.

Empathy is a key ingredient of emotionally intelligent school and district leadership, says Brittany Hogan, national keynote speaker and equity consultant. It "plays a huge role in how we relate to other people, how we understand them, how we give them grace—and how we help them learn and develop as human beings." When educators "lean into empathy," they become better decision-makers and relationship-builders.

Juan-Diego Estrada, a school counselor and director of wellness, discusses a school-wide framework to increase awareness, knowledge, and support in connection with mental health issues. He describes how the approach has changed the culture of his school, as reflected in both wellness and student learning.

Nita and Michael Creekmore discuss their book "Every Connection Matters: How to Build, Maintain, and Restore Relationships Inside the Classroom and Out".

You don't have to be a media arts teacher or an English teacher to teach storytelling. Storytelling is everywhere,” says educator and author Michael Hernandez. Here, Hernandez shares simple ways teachers can swap out traditional assignments—in any subject area or grade level—with digital storytelling projects like “explainer videos.” Digital storytelling projects, Hernandez notes, can make learning more meaningful, engaging, and enjoyable for students—even if it's hard work. They're also “uncheatable,” a bonus in today’s A.I. world.