Christian County Schools Models Next-Gen Strategic Planning in Kentucky

What if every Pennsylvania school district could grow its own teachers? York City School District is already doing it. Their Grow Your Own program helps paraprofessionals and high school students earn their teaching credentials while working, strengthening the local pipeline, reducing turnover, and ensuring classrooms reflect the community they serve. It’s a win for students. A win for schools. And a model Pennsylvania should invest in statewide. Learn more ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gVGYFBxJ. #PANeedsTeachers #FixThePipeline #EdReform

Dr. Joshua Davidow, Principal of Boca Raton Community High School, offered a powerful reflection on the impact of inSIGHT Through Education’s work – not only on students, but on school culture as a whole. He spoke to the difference between required curriculum and experiences that truly move students: programs that deepen empathy, strengthen critical thinking, and help young people recognize their responsibility to stand up against antisemitism, prejudice, and hate. His perspective reinforces the value of the Palm Beach County School District’s partnership with inSIGHT Through Education – and the lasting influence these programs have in classrooms every day. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gsf-qnyw #15YearsofinSIGHT #BocaRaton

This blog post from a superintendent who has led district consolidation is insightful. In particular — he notes how important it is for states to start the conversation. In Michigan, state legislation required some districts to contemplate consolidation. Without that kind of political cover at the state level, this work rests solely on the shoulders of courageous boards and superintendents, who may not always have the political capital they need to make big moves for students on their own.

In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, Black and Latino families in Los Angeles faced an impossible challenge: their children were expected to learn from home without the technology, resources, or support they needed. Innovate worked with parents to organize and take action. The result? An historic legal settlement that requires the Los Angeles United School District to provide 100,000+ of the most vulnerable students access to no fewer than 45 hours of high-quality, high-dose tutoring per year. This type of win doesn't happen overnight. And now we're excited to partner with Campaign for Grade-Level Reading to share our insights from this effort and to help more organizations and families fight for wins in our education system. Register today for this webinar to learn from Innovate CEO Michelle Vilchez and our Los Angeles VP of Organizing Walter Gersón Rodríguez Mabesoy, alongside Edward Hillenbrand, Kirkland & Ellis, LLP; Adrián Sandoval, and Samantha Brown Olivieri, of Step Up Tutoring. This important panel will be moderated by Tracie Potts, MSJ, of Gettysburg College and Learning Heroes. Date: January 27 Time: 3:00-4:30pm ET Registration Link: https://lnkd.in/gEkz_dp3

In just the past year, we’ve expanded our community school work at Trailblazer, taken steps to grow at Tall Oaks Elementary, built an on-site food pantry, doubled tutoring, welcomed four new staff members, brought the community together for a school forum, and partnered with UVA to better understand the link between economics and education. Through it all, our belief remains the same. 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲. Charlottesville’s literacy gaps are unacceptable, especially for Black and economically disadvantaged students. Schools cannot solve this alone. Progress requires coordinated investment in families, neighborhoods, and the conditions that shape learning outside the classroom. This work is happening. It’s working. And we’re committed to moving it forward with you. 📘 Read more in our 2025 Annual Report: cityofpromise.org/ar2025

When middle school students help pass a law that brings $100 million back to their community, something is working. Shoutout to the leadership and educators at White Pine School District for designing learning that builds student agency, persistence, and civic confidence. From classrooms where students tackle unstructured problems to advocating for their community at the state capitol, this work reflects a system aligned around durable skills. "We have to prepare kids for futures we can’t fully predict... The best thing we can do is give them the durable skills to adapt.” - Adam Young, Superintendent This district’s work is featured in a recent AASA, The School Superintendents Association — worth a closer look. https://bit.ly/3YXg0Xq Photo Courtesy of White Pine County School District: Three White Pine Middle School Students travel to Carson City to advocate for rural school district construction funding. #ImpactInAction Nevada Department of Education

Our partnership with Berea is moving into a more intentional and expanded phase. Building on earlier installations and programming, this next chapter emphasizes deeper on-campus integration, including student recruitment into workshops, collaboration with faculty and staff, and opportunities for students to actively contribute narratives and creative work to the project. Through immersive installations, facilitated workshops, and campus-based engagement, the partnership is designed to create sustained points of entry for participation. Students are invited not only to experience the work, but to shape it—exploring ancestry, identity, and history while developing confidence, voice, and civic awareness. This phase reflects a shared commitment to long-term engagement rather than one-time programming. Each installation and workshop becomes part of an ongoing dialogue that connects personal narrative with public space and institutional history. We’re grateful to continue this work with Berea and look forward to growing the program in ways that are responsive, collaborative, and deeply rooted in community. Berea College Shaniqua Robinson, Ed.S. Faith Calhoun-Louden, CSW Kristina Gamble #iwashereproject #bereacollege #highereducation #studentengagement #artsineducation #communitypartnership #publichistory

Raising kids, building communities, and elevating schools isn’t about choosing one lever—it’s about weaving together many strands into a stronger fabric. At Epiphany Hill Enterprises, I’ve seen a simple truth repeated in Texas classrooms and districts nationwide: when sports, SEL, and family support meet trauma-informed restorative practices, students don’t just show up—they belong, learn, and lead. 🏈📚💡 The R.E.E.L.L. Sports League exemplifies this synergy. It uses athletics as a reliable rhythm to boost attendance and behavior, but the real power is in the built-in case management and family training that follow students home. When families receive budgeting, entrepreneurship, and goal-setting tools, the momentum continues beyond the gym, into kitchens, living rooms, and community spaces. This holistic approach has translated into measurable gains—improved attendance, better grades, and stronger family stability—while teachers report fewer behavioral incidents and more authentic student engagement. 🤝🌟🧠 What makes this work is humility and consistency: listening first, then acting with a plan that honors the whole child. Our work is anchored in faith, family, and future-focused leadership, all backed by over two decades of practice and a national certification under Les Brown. Learn more about how this model can transform your school or community. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/dBRcGUqA. 🚀❤️👨🏫 What insight from your district could spark a similar holistic shift in students’ lives? 🎯 #EducationalLeadership #SocialEmotionalLearning #SEL #EquityInEducation #RestorativePractices #TraumaInformed #LeadershipDevelopment #R.E.E.L.L. #FamilyEngagement

Raising kids, building communities, and elevating schools isn’t about choosing one lever—it’s about weaving together many strands into a stronger fabric. At Epiphany Hill Enterprises, I’ve seen a simple truth repeated in Texas classrooms and districts nationwide: when sports, SEL, and family support meet trauma-informed restorative practices, students don’t just show up—they belong, learn, and lead. 🏈📚💡 The R.E.E.L.L. Sports League exemplifies this synergy. It uses athletics as a reliable rhythm to boost attendance and behavior, but the real power is in the built-in case management and family training that follow students home. When families receive budgeting, entrepreneurship, and goal-setting tools, the momentum continues beyond the gym, into kitchens, living rooms, and community spaces. This holistic approach has translated into measurable gains—improved attendance, better grades, and stronger family stability—while teachers report fewer behavioral incidents and more authentic student engagement. 🤝🌟🧠 What makes this work is humility and consistency: listening first, then acting with a plan that honors the whole child. Our work is anchored in faith, family, and future-focused leadership, all backed by over two decades of practice and a national certification under Les Brown. Learn more about how this model can transform your school or community. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/dt5TCJN2. 🚀❤️👨🏫 What insight from your district could spark a similar holistic shift in students’ lives? 🎯 #EducationalLeadership #SocialEmotionalLearning #SEL #EquityInEducation #RestorativePractices #TraumaInformed #LeadershipDevelopment #R.E.E.L.L. #FamilyEngagement

Over the last two months, the Belk Center’s Jess Edwards, Ed.D. and Sam Dotson have partnered with McDowell Technical Community College to support its strategic planning process by facilitating a series of stakeholder focus groups. These conversations brought together students, employees, community partners, funders and regional leaders to identify priorities related to student success, workforce needs and McDowell Tech’s long-term vision. Led by Zach Barricklow and Alex Doles at the NC Community College System, we’re grateful to be part of this work and to support Jess and Sam as they help McDowell Tech develop a Strategic Plan that aligns with both the evolving needs of the region and the mission of providing accessible, high-quality education. Read more at: https://lnkd.in/e5WJh5mi #AdultLearners #2millionby2030 #JointheConversation #CommunityCollegeLeadership