Eddie Davila

Participating in ASU's Humanities Early Start program next week and showing them various things you can study as an English major. One of them is cultural literacy, this time with music. Using a 78 record, I teach them about material cultures and how it affects everything in our lives, even music. For instance, because 78s were made of shellac, it limited the length of a song to 3-5 minutes. Because it was a disc, there had to be an A side and B side. When shellac was scarce during WWII, major record companies abandoned "ethic music," which gave rise after the war to independent record companies who produced "race music," which later became called "R&B." To market this new music, some record companies used different colors to note that the record was a Black artist. For instance, Mercury used a purple label for Black artists while pop artists got a black label. Thus, any material object is a form of literacy containing its own history and culture.

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Preparing teachers to reach every student isn’t a slogan—it’s disciplined, evidence-based work. This news from the University of California, Davis - School of Education highlights how teacher preparation at UC Davis is intentionally designed around inclusion, equity, and real classroom complexity. From grounding future educators in cognitive science and child development to emphasizing culturally responsive pedagogy and hands-on clinical practice, the throughline is clear: effective teaching starts with understanding how students actually learn—and how differently they experience school. What stands out is the emphasis on preparation for reality, not idealized classrooms. Teachers trained this way are better equipped to support students across backgrounds, learning styles, and needs—and to adapt as those needs evolve. This is exactly the kind of upstream investment that strengthens K–12 education at scale: preparing educators who are ready on day one to serve every student, thoughtfully and well. https://lnkd.in/gBGw8jXp

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Reed Dickson from Pima Community College defied logic by debating AI at the Instructional Technology Council conference during his session “AI in the Classroom: Our Wizard or Our Overlord?” A bold and fun social experiment that challenged the room to decide whether AI will be our tool or our master. #ITCNetwork #AIinEducation #CommunityColleges #HigherEd #InstructionalTechnology

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Teaching online requires careful planning to be effective, which can make a difference in the learning experience of online students. In this book, Katherine McAlvage, Ph.D. and I highlight the importance of establishing connections with students through instructor presence, reaching out to students, and showing care and compassion. One way to connect with students is through intentional choices for self-introductions and timely outreach. Guidance and examples are provided in detail in this book. Don’t miss this great resource, available as an OER through Oregon State University Ecampus.

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At Unity Environmental University, we are not chasing the future. We are helping shape it with focus and intention. This new EDUCAUSE case study shows how we are applying AI, workforce alignment, and operational redesign to meet the needs of today’s learners. Tools like Una and Spruce, our AI-powered support systems, are not side projects. They are part of an institutional model built to work, built to scale, and built to last. This is not a trial. It is what happens when a university stops circling the problem and starts building the solution.

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I had the opportunity to represent Chico State at the NODA (National Orientation Directors Association – Transition & Retention) conference today. Leaders in the orientation field spent time discussing forthcoming changes to our field related to AI, including emergent agentic AI. Agentic AI will significantly impact higher education processes in the years ahead. We are working on these innovative elements at Chico State to serve students in a personal manner at scale. We must use this time to better understand these developments and prepare, as thoughtfully as we can, for ethical integration. Both challenges and meaningful opportunities lie ahead that will shape our field. if we don't act proactively it will be shaped by others. I appreciated the lively discussion and collective learning as we tackle these challenges in our field together.

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San Juan Unified School District just announced they're launching Thinking Math next year. 18,000 students across the Sacramento area. I don't post often. This one's worth it. A district that took the time to deeply pilot, that pushed us hard on alignment to the California Framework, that asked every question a district should ask before adopting a new math curriculum. And ultimately decided this is the math their kids deserve. What stands out about San Juan's decision is where they're putting the focus: understanding before procedure, without leaving consolidation behind. That balance is hard, and it's precisely the kind of math instruction students need. It's also why our work doesn't stop at the product. A great curriculum doesn't change classrooms on its own; teachers do. We believe in their work first, which is why building capacity alongside them is just as central to what we do as the materials themselves. Districts like San Juan are why I think this approach matters. A huge thank you to the San Juan team for the rigor, the trust, and the partnership throughout this process, and to our California Innovamat team for the relentless work that made this possible. We'll keep pushing.

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📊 Arizona educators, this one’s for you! The Lexia® Core5® Reading Arizona Progress Report helps school and district leaders go beyond surface-level results to identify where gaps persist, target support where it matters most, and align strategy. Your students’ assessment data is telling you something. The report helps you act on it. See what the data shows: 👉 https://bit.ly/41OXK40

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Why Trusting Educators Matters By Eva Diab As a school principal, I’ve witnessed countless moments of transformation, growth, and joy in our students- each one made possible through a strong foundation of trust between home and school. In today’s complex and ever-evolving educational landscape, one truth remains clear: when parents trust educators, children thrive. Educators Are Deeply Invested in Your Child’s Success. Every educator and administrator comes into this profession with one goal in mind: to make a positive difference in the lives of children. We spend our days planning, adapting, listening, responding, and advocating—not just for academic achievement, but for well-being, identity development, confidence, and purpose. When parents trust that we have their child’s best interests at heart, they give us the permission and space to do what we are trained and called to do: nurture, guide, and empower. The Home–School Partnership Is a Two-Way Street. We often speak about the “home–school partnership,” but it is more than a phrase—it’s a commitment. We ask for confidence in our professional judgment, belief in our ability to support your child, and patience as we work through challenges together. When families and schools work in harmony, students feel an undeniable sense of safety and support. That foundation allows them to take risks, try new things, and develop the resilience they’ll need to lead in a complex world. Trust Opens the Door to Growth Sometimes, growth looks like a struggling student being held to high expectations because we believe in their potential. Other times, it looks like a quiet learner finding their voice through classroom discussions, extracurriculars, or leadership opportunities. Trust allows us to take that leap together, knowing we are all rooting for the same outcome: a capable, compassionate, and confident child. Believe in Us, As We Believe in You We understand that parenting in today’s world isn’t easy. There’s pressure to get it all right, to protect, to advocate, and to know every detail. And while your involvement is essential, so is your belief in our work. We believe in the strength of the family-school relationship. When parents and educators trust one another, we model for our children what respectful collaboration looks like. We show them what happens when adults lead with empathy, respect, and shared purpose. Your Child Is Becoming a Leader and We’re Doing It Together. At the heart of our mission is a deep commitment to raising not just learners, but powerful self-advocates and thoughtful leaders. That happens when children feel supported by a unified team—home and school working as one. So let’s continue to build this trust. Let’s communicate openly, assume positive intent, and remember that we are always on the same team. Together, we can raise a generation of young people who are confident in their voice, grounded in their values, and ready to shape the world.

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School safety is more than cameras and fences. It requires sustained investment, thoughtful planning, and a commitment to adequately funding traditional K–12 public schools. This week’s newsletter examines the reality of school safety funding in Arizona and asks an important question: should protecting students depend on politics or constitutional responsibility? #TraditionalK-12PublicEducation #SchoolSafety #StopSchoolViolence #EducationAdvocacy #ArizonaTraditionalK-12PublicSchools #Hope

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Research universities like ASU are cornerstones of national competitiveness. They help attract talent, drive innovation and improve the quality of life. Continued support is essential to strengthening American leadership. I recently shared my thoughts on that balance, and ASU’s role in it, on CBS’ "The Takeout" — watch the full interview here: https://ow.ly/uEAS50Wx07i

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In today’s higher education landscape, doing more with less means turning data into decisions. Benchmarking isn’t just about comparing numbers — it’s about asking the right questions that drive strategic action. https://lnkd.in/gunSF_wu

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Creative idea here. It is worth looking into it more as some partnerships are going to need creative solutions to finding qualified teachers as programs continue to grow. #dualcredit #dualenrollment #teaching #highereducation #communitycollege

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Utilizing Data for Continuous Improvement Data-driven decision-making is fundamental to enhancing distance education! Instructional Learning Technology allows us to collect and analyze key metrics about student engagement and performance. These insights enable us to continually refine our approaches, ensuring every student receives the support they need to succeed. Let’s leverage data to make informed improvements! #SDCCE #Noncredit #DataDriven #ContinuousImprovement #EdTech

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Faculty and staff: looking for ways to help students connect classroom learning to career development? Our latest blog post highlights a recent episode of the uConnect Career Everywhere Podcast, featuring how Oregon State University embedded career education into its general education curriculum through the “Beyond OSU” initiative. At the Fleishman Center for Career and Professional Development, we share the same goal through the Career Collaborative: partnering with faculty and staff to make career learning part of every student’s experience at Binghamton. Check it out to explore practical ideas for integrating career development into your courses or programming! https://lnkd.in/eK8G-TiR

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ATTENTION Adult Education and Career Education advocates! Attending the CAEP Summit continues to be one of the most powerful reminders of what is possible when systems come together with purpose. Across California, adult education is not just about programs—it’s about people, pathways, and second chances that lead to first opportunities. From ESL and high school diploma completion to career pathways and workforce alignment, we are seeing what true collaboration looks like between K–12, community colleges, workforce partners, and community-based organizations. At San Joaquin Adult Education Consortium, we are proud to be part of this movement—working to intentionally design clearer transitions for our adult learners into college, careers, and living-wage opportunities. The conversations at this year’s summit reinforced the urgency of: • Aligning systems through Guided Pathways • Strengthening transitions from adult schools to college • Expanding access to high-wage, high-demand careers • Centering equity in every strategy we implement What stood out most is that adult education is no longer operating on the margins—it is central to the future of workforce development, economic mobility, and community transformation. Grateful to learn alongside so many dedicated leaders who are doing this work with heart, strategy, and impact. Save the Date: The next CAEP Summit is coming up—don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this important statewide movement advancing adult learners.

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Big time announcement! We are excited to launch our FREE AI Literacy Courses for grades K-12! Through a grant with Utah Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity and in partnership with Davis Catalyst Center, Skill Struck created: 🔥 Semester & year-long AI Literacy courses for grades K–2, 3–5, 6–8, and 9–12 🔥 Lesson plans, plugged and unplugged student activities, and digital textbooks We are excited to be at the forefront of helping K-12 student gain the durable skills they need to make an impact in a changing world. We are just getting started!

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