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

 

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How K-12 Administrators Can Run a 10-Minute ELA Audit

Use this 10-minute ELA curriculum audit to quickly scan your school’s full ELA system for research-aligned literacy indicators, identify gaps, and plan next steps

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How to align instruction with the science of reading

Meeting the AI Moment in Education—and How We Get It Right

AI is reshaping education—discover how to harness its potential and ensure we get it right for learners everywhere.

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Making the Case for a Knowledge-Building Curriculum

What began as one teacher’s search for ways to teach nonfiction became a lesson in the power of a knowledge-building curriculum.

Brenda Iasevoli

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Reliability and Validity in Educational Assessment: From Theory to Classroom Practice

Understand what makes an assessment trustworthy and why it matters for students. This article breaks down reliability, validity, and fairness into clear, practical insights educators and leaders can use to make more confident, equitable decisions.

Dr. Vytas Laitusis

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2026 Back-to-School Articles for Educators

Bookmark this page featuring our 2026 back-to-school articles for educators. It’s filled with the resources you need to start the school year off strong, from prepping for the first day, to classroom management strategies, and more.

Shaped Staff

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Latest Posts

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[Podcast] Ed Trends Minisode: Education Predictions for 2025 with Shawn Young 

What will be trending in education in 2025? Host Kailey Rhodes sits down with Classcraft cofounder and HMH’s SVP of product management and strategy Shawn Young to discuss 2025 education predictions. They cover topics like simplifying EdTech, leaning on AI tech tools to build teacher-student relationships, and bringing the “human element" into technology.

Christine Condon
Shaped Editor-in-Chief

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

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3 First-Day-Jitters Activities for Back-to-School

Ease the first-day-jitters! Explore three first-day-jitters activities that you can implement in your first grade classroom year after year.

Amanda Rack
First Grade Teacher, Knob Hill Elementary School

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[Podcast] Ed Trends Minisode: Exploring Educators' Views on AI's Role in the Classroom with Andrew Goldman

In this bite-sized episode, host Kailey Rhodes sits down with Andrew Goldman, founder of Writable and EVP of HMH Labs. Together, they dig deeper into HMH's Educator Confidence Report survey results and share what educators really think about AI use in schools.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

Christine Condon
Shaped Editor-in-Chief

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

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HMH's Podcasts: Teachers in America and Shaping the Future

Tune in to the Teachers in America and Shaping the Future podcasts by HMH. Hear from teachers changing lives and experienced innovators and industry leaders.

Shaped Staff

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[Podcast] Innovative Math Teaching Strategies: Embracing Mistakes and Fostering Curiosity with Russell Hanes on Teachers in America

Secondary math teacher Russell Hanes joins us and gives insight on how to build students' confidence in math by embracing mistakes and shifting their mindset to see themselves as "math people."

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

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[Podcast] Transforming Education Through Innovation and Student Engagement with Dr. Mary Hemphill

Leadership expert, educator, and Center for Model Schools senior fellow Dr. Mary Hemphill shares how to leverage the unique instructional practice of the One-Minute Meeting to engage and empower students as school stakeholders.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

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[Podcast] Ed Trends Minisode 2024 Educator Confidence Report: Insights on Teacher Concerns and Trends in Education

In this bite-sized episode, we will be zeroing in on educator's top concerns, their views of the profession, and what we can do to make it better. We'll dive into HMH's Educator Confidence Report, which surveys educators about the issues that impact them daily and asks them how we can improve the profession going forward.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

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[Podcast] Exploring the Power of Growth Mindset for Classroom Success with Camyrea Barnes in MI on Teachers in America

Middle school math teacher Camyrea Barnes shares advice on how to nurture students' growth mindset and how to build community with students and fellow teachers.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

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[Podcast] Using AI in the Classroom: Insights from District Leaders with Kris Hagel and John Yellowlees in WA on Teachers in America

Peninsula School District leaders Kris Hagel and John Yellowlees join us to discuss how to integrate and embrace AI in education. Plus, they share leading principles and strategies to guide students in using AI ethically.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

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[Podcast] Finding Your Joy: Advocating for ESL Students and Educators with 2024 National Teacher of the Year Missy Testerman in TN

2024 National Teacher of the Year Missy Testerman joins us and offers words of inspiration and practical advice to nurture the joy in teaching. Plus, she shares tips on teacher mentoring, getting ready for the back-to-school season, and supporting multilingual learners.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

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[Podcast] Engaging Students in Math Through Football Insights with Mary Martinez Crippen in FL on Teachers in America

We’re kicking off our season with third-grade teacher Mary Martinez Crippen from Miami, Florida. Mary became a viral sensation when she began tracking football stats with her class. In this episode, Mary gives advice on how to incorporate personal passions into your instruction, how to connect classroom learning to the real world, and how to include football into your own lessons.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

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How to Start a Student Podcast: A Quick Guide

A quick guide for how to start a student podcast, with tips and tricks for teachers for the whole recording process

Erik Palmer
Program Consultant, Into Reading and Into Literature

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Podcast: Helping Students Heal Through Writing with Briana Morales in IL on Teachers in America

2024 Illinois State Teacher of the Year Briana Morales shares how she uses healing-centered engagement and storytelling to empower her students. Plus she shares writing activities to engage students in identity work and how to start a classroom dignity closet to help students in need.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

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Podcast: Building Vocabulary to Increase Reading Comprehension with Abbey Behnke in WI on Teachers in America

HMH Teacher Ambassador Abbey Behnke shares instructional strategies and activities to engage students in vocabulary learning. Plus, she discusses how vocabulary is a catalyst for building reading comprehension skills.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

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Podcast: Turning Appreciation into Action with Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona on Teachers in America 

In honor of 2024 Teacher Appreciation Week, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona joins HMH CEO Jack Lynch to discuss pressing issues in education, such as integrating AI in the classroom, tackling teacher burnout, and building respect for the teaching profession.

Christine Condon
Shaped Editor-in-Chief

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

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Podcast: Embracing Data and Planning with It Feat. Latonia Grant in GA on Teachers in America

Third grade teacher and HMH Teacher Ambassador Latonia Grant discusses how data has been a valuable tool in her planning and instruction. Plus she shares data-driven planning tips, like how to lead data talks with students and how to collaboratively plan with peers.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

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Podcast: The 4-Day School Week with Dr. Claudia Singkornrat on Teachers in America

Broward County Public Schools Teacher of the Year Dr. Claudia Singkornrat gives insight on her school’s 4-day schedule and how it impacts student learning.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

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Podcast: Partnering with Families to Build Early Literacy Skills with Melissa Hawkins in HI on Teachers in America

Kindergarten teacher Melissa Hawkins joins us from Hawai'i to discuss student engagement, literacy instruction, and connecting with families.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

AWARDS & ACCOLADES

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Shorty Awards

Audience Honor, 2023, Shaped

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Digiday Content Marketing Awards

Finalist, 2023, Shaped

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People’s Choice Podcast Awards

Finalist, 2021 & 2023, Teachers in America

*The views expressed in our blog are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of HMH.