Podcast Series: Innovations in Education

Explore the full series of eSchool News podcasts hosted by Kevin Hogan—created to keep you on the cutting edge of innovations in education.

You’re my hero

Key points:

I’ve always hated being put on the spot to answer some version of this question: “Who is your role model?  Who inspired your career?  Who is your hero?”

In my first act in life, as a television reporter, I had the opportunity to cross paths with celebrities, public figures, and just generally “important” people over the years.  And nearly every time, I was disappointed with by the experience because either the person was not as dynamic as their persona or, in some cases, was simply rude. I have a great relationship with my parents and credit them for many, many aspects of my life; one thing they taught me was hero status is a high bar because we’re all fallible humans.…Read More

Cumberland County Schools Recognized in 2023 K-12 Hero Awards for Implementation of S.P.I.R.E. Reading Program

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ —  EPS  School Specialty, the leading provider of Pre K–12 supplemental literacy solutions, is pleased to announce that Catherine LeCleir-Salas, K–5 Instructional Specialist at Cumberland County Public Schools, was named a  finalist in the  2023 eSchool K–12 Hero Awards for her outstanding implementation of S.P.I.R.E., an EPS reading intervention program based in the Science of Reading.

“As staff and students at Cumberland County Schools look to the future, Catherine DeCleir-Salas’ dynamic legacy as a trailblazing educator will undoubtedly continue to shape their progress and ensure their success,” said Janine Walker-Caffrey, the Chief Product Officer at EPS. “LeCleir-Salas’ remarkable ability to turn challenges into opportunities, unite educators, and equip students with the tools they need makes her more than deserving of this award.”

The K–12 Hero Awards is a platform dedicated to recognizing and celebrating exceptional educators nationwide, and LeCleir-Salas’ approach is representative of the exceptional educators honored within the program. Rooted in the Orton-Gillingham methodology, S.P.I.R.E. aligns with the North Carolina Excellent Public Schools Act of 2021 and supports beginning readers, striving readers, and students with dyslexia. As the district transitioned to S.P.I.R.E., DeCleir-Salas was a constant source of support and encouragement for educators, caregivers, and students—dedicated to creating a holistic environment where every learner can thrive. As a result of DeCleir-Salas’ efforts, S.P.I.R.E. achieved tremendous success, boasting a teacher participation rate of 85 to 90 percent.…Read More

eSN Hero Awards Finalists: 11 inspiring educators

This is Part 2 of a two-part feature highlighting the eSN K-12 Hero Awards finalists. Part 1, spotlighting 10 more finalists, can be found here.

The eSchool News K-12 Hero Awards recognize the dedicated efforts of education professionals across K-12 departments, including IT, curriculum, instruction and administration. 

The program received an influx of inspiring nominations that highlight the innovation and selflessness of educators in schools and districts across the nation.…Read More

eSN Hero Awards Finalists: 10 dedicated educators

This is Part 1 of a two-part feature highlighting the eSN K-12 Hero Awards finalists. Part 2, spotlighting 11 more finalists, can be found here.

The eSchool News K-12 Hero Awards recognize the dedicated efforts of education professionals across K-12 departments, including IT, curriculum, instruction and administration. 

The program received an influx of inspiring nominations that highlight the innovation and selflessness of educators in schools and districts across the nation.…Read More

How immersive technology can empower students (and teachers) to learn

Immersive, experiential technology is transforming how both students and teachers learn. Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR and VR) provide deeper engagement, opportunities for collaboration, and hands-on learning that places newly acquired knowledge and skills in context.

For students, immersive technology can make abstract concepts tangible through interactive visuals. But immersive technology is useful for teachers, too, powering professional learning that helps educators translate research and theory to actionable practices through dynamic examples.

When purposefully designed, augmented reality opens equitable pathways to deep student learning.…Read More

This heroic superintendent won’t quit in the pursuit of district excellence

The 2023 eSchool News K-12 Hero Awards honors educators for their exemplary use of innovative edtech to support student learning. Profiled and interviewed here is winner Dr. Jesus Jara, superintendent of Clark County School District nominated by Edmentum.

Dr. Jesus Jara is a passionate educator who serves as Superintendent of Clark County School District (CCSD), the 5th largest school district in the nation educating more than 300,000 students – 64 percent of the student population in Nevada.

Since assuming the role of superintendent in 2018, Dr. Jara has been on a mission to move the district from pockets of excellence to an excellent school system, where every student can thrive. It was clear to Dr. Jara that, post-pandemic, his students were struggling.…Read More

How one hero educator gives students workforce skills and experience

The 2023 eSchool News K-12 Hero Awards honors educators for their exemplary use of innovative edtech to support student learning. Profiled and interviewed here is winner Tom Lamont, a painting and design technology instructor at Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School nominated by TechEdConcepts Inc. Stay tuned for one more winner profile to come.

Tom Lamont is the painting and design technology instructor at Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School (BVT), in Upton, Massachusetts.

Mr. Lamont offers his vocational high school students a unique hands-on opportunity to learn about the design industry and to prepare for jobs in the workforce. He integrates today’s high-tech training into a visually engaging curriculum using a variety of techniques and creative tools.…Read More

How a true teacher hero advocates for student equity and belonging

The 2023 eSchool News K-12 Hero Awards honors educators for their exemplary use of innovative edtech to support student learning. Interviewed and profiled here is winner John Arthur, a 6th grade teacher at Meadowlark Elementary School nominated by Follett. Stay tuned for two more winner profiles to come.

John Arthur, a sixth-grade teacher at Meadowlark Elementary School in Salt Lake City, was the 2021 Utah Teacher of the Year and one of four finalists for 2021 National Teacher of the Year.

Now in his 10th year of teaching, John’s students have gained national recognition as champions for children and immigrants like them through music videos and other digital content they create and share across platforms as @9thEvermore (on YouTube and Twitter/X). Moreover, he uses Kwame Alexander Bookfest book club from noted author Kwame and Follett to help his students see themselves in story, build literacy skills, and allow students to share their experiences and emotions through books.…Read More

Nothing but winning: Edtech honors announced by eSchool, IEI, and Classlink

When did October become awards season in the world of edtech? This week’s newsfeeds are stuffed with announcements for finalists and honorees for both educators and vendors on the best and brightest developments for teaching and learning.

The winners:

Of course, we need to start with the most prestigious! The eSchool News Hero Awards, honors educators for their exemplary use of innovative edtech to support student learning:…Read More

Sneak a peek at 8 eSN K-12 Hero Awards contenders

Nominations for the annual eSchool News K-12 Hero Awards are open through September 1, 2023, and this year, we’re giving you a look at some of the entries that came in by our early-bird deadline.

The 2023 K-12 Hero Awards program is dedicated to recognizing the country’s best examples of K-12 success using innovative education technologies.

Companies are encouraged to nominate the schools and districts using their products and services–this offers a chance to share success stories and impart valuable lessons learned with the education community. Education professionals across K-12 departments are eligible for nomination, including IT, curriculum, instruction, and administration.…Read More

STEM learning makes this educator shine

Each year, we share our 10 most-read stories. Not surprisingly, many of this year’s Top 10 focused on innovative ways to engage students, digital resources, and online and hybrid learning strategies related to post-pandemic teaching. This year’s 7th most-read story focuses on a Hero Awards winner dedicated to STEM education.

One of three eSN K-12 Hero Awards winners and nominated by Bluum, Kim Leblanc was selected for the innovative STEM learning initiatives she champions in her district and for her students.

Conventional wisdom would say that economically disadvantaged schools across the country would need to think twice before making a major investment in technology. However, not all districts in that predicament have a technology director like Kim Leblanc.…Read More