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.

AI-Enabled Personal Professional Learning MicroGrant Announced Targets Teachers and Coaches (K-6)

North Carolina based QoreInsights announced today the launch of a MicroGrant program where they will award three schools with free site wide licenses for unlimited use of their AI-enabled personalized professional learning platform, The Classroom Education Plan© (CEP). The granted award will begin in fall 2024 and extend until the end of the 2025 school year. It includes support for on-boarding and professional learning to ensure the success of the initiative. The total approximate value of the three awards is over $30,000.

The Classroom Education Plan© (CEP) supports teachers and coaches helping them to improve their core instructional practice. CEP uses a job-embedded professional learning approach, coach-support that utilizes AI to guide
every teacher to targeted evidence-based instructional strategies, tracks impact, and enables real-time insights into student progress and well-being. “Millions of educators across the nation echo the same need: to provide teachers with high-quality professional learning that translates to measurable improvement in student achievement, engagement, and well-being,” said Dr. Toni Shub, Founder and CEO of QoreInsights. “We developed CEP to create equity for both teacher and student learning. CEP uses learning engineering and a decision support system to equitably guide every teacher to the most impactful evidence-based instructional methods for their specific classroom to address whole-child student needs, including feelings of safety and internalizing behaviors.”

Three elementary schools will be selected to become QorePremium Partners and will receive CEP licenses for all general education K-6 teachers at the awarded sites (administrators and coaches are free). Schools will be able to award teachers up
to 36 job-embedded continuing education credits!…Read More

Ed Tech Company SuperDville Awards Over $25,000 In Microgrants!

NEW YORK, NY – SuperDville is proud to announce the winners of it’s first  SEL for Students who Learn Differently Microgrant 2023. SuperDville is a mission driven woman and minority owned and operated company which produces a video based social and emotional learning (SEL) curriculum designed to empower 7-13-year-olds with learning differences. www.superdville.com 

“The response was incredible. Everyone demonstrated a true need and presented creative ways to support or rethink their approach to social emotional learning.” “We received so many thoughtful entries that we couldn’t select just five awards, “so we ended up providing seven full site licenses!” “This is not a nice to have instruction, SuperDville is an absolute must-have instruction, which targets the one-in-five student with dyslexia or other learning differences. .”SuperDville CEO Peggy Stern said. 

The entries all demonstrated great promise for transforming the teaching and learning community in schools, which have been hit so hard throughout the pandemic. …Read More

MackinVIA Wins The Distinctive Platinum Award Its 8th Consecutive Modern Library AwardFrom LibraryWorks

Burnsville, MN – Mackin, a leading provider of print and digital fiction and nonfiction books for PK-12, is pleased to announce it is a multiyear honoree and winner of its eighth Platinum Award in LibraryWorks’ tenth annual Modern Library Awards (MLAs). The MLAs were created to recognize the top products and services in the library industry.

Products and services were submitted in the fall of 2023 using a simple application, and then were posted on a private site with an enhanced description and attendant materials. These products were batched into small groups and sent to the LibraryWorks database of more than 80,000 librarians in public, K-12, academic, and special libraries. Only customers with experience with these products/services in their facilities were permitted to judge the entries resulting in a truly unbiased score.

Each judge scored the product from 1-10 on a series of questions regarding functionality, value, customer service, etc. MackinVIA received a remarkable score of 9.598, resulting in their eighth Platinum Award from this prestigious organization. “Since its inception over a decade ago, MackinVIA has made great progress becoming the preferred digital content management system in schools around the world, and has continued its technological growth to remain one of the world’s top choices. As a company, Mackin has always been known for their ingenuity and superior customer service. It’s no surprise that these motivating forces helped MackinVIA to be recognized and validated again,” remarked Troy Mikell, Director of Marketing and Communications at Mackin.…Read More

Whitney Brothers® Live Edge Collection EarnsInterior Design Magazine 2023 Best of Year Honoree Award

Keene, NH – Acclaimed Early Learning furniture brand Whitney Brothers® today announced its new Live Edge Collection of furniture for preschool and kindergarten environments received a 2023 Best of Year Honoree award from Interior Design magazine.

Now in its 18th year, Interior Design’s Best of Year contest is the preeminent global design awards program recognizing the most significant products and interior design projects of the year across a spectrum of commercial, institutional, residential, educational and contract categories. In the 2023 program, Best of Year jurors evaluated 722 entries submitted by 418 manufacturers from 29 countries. Awards were announced on December 7 in a live event in New York City hosted by Cindy Allen, editor-in-chief of Interior Design. The complete list of award winners can be seen here.

“Best of Year is so crazy and so exciting,” said Allen. “These are the best of the best! There’s no shortage of innovation on display.”…Read More

TouchMath Executives Recognized in 2023 Excellence in Equity Awards

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo./PRNewswire-PRWeb/ —  TouchMath, a multisensory math program that makes learning crucial mathematical concepts accessible and clear for students who struggle to understand grade-level content, had three executives and three solutions recognized at the 2023 Excellence in Equity Awards, including a category win in Special Contribution to Equity. TouchMath was a finalist in the following categories: Company of the Year, Leader of the Year (Sean Lockwood, CEO), Best Special Education Solution (TouchMath Standards Edition), Product Enhancement of the Year (TouchMath PRO 2.0), and Author, Speaker, or Consultant (Dr. Sandra Elliott).

Created by  The American Consortium for Equity in Education, the Excellence in Equity Awards program recognizes the companies, nonprofits, leaders, and educators whose work contributes to the critical goal of ensuring access and equity for every learner. The award program received more than 120 nominations across its 25 different categories, each demonstrating innovative, diligent work being done nationwide to improve learner outcomes.

“We’re honored to have so many TouchMath team members and solutions recognized at this year’s Excellence in Equity Awards,” said Sean Lockwood, Chief Executive Officer at TouchMath. “This recognition is not only a testament and validation to the work my colleagues do every day, but it also serves as a reminder to prioritize equitable instruction in everything we do. Congratulations to the TouchMath team members who were selected as finalists and Scott for winning Special Contribution to Equity.”…Read More

Bluepoint Wind Awards $10,000 in Grants to New Jersey Teachers for Renewable Energy STEM Kits

Newark, NJ – Offshore wind company Bluepoint Wind is announcing today the winners of grants to further STEM education for 10 teachers from schools across New Jersey. Each educator chosen by the Company will receive $1,000 worth of interactive STEM kits from KidWind, an international leader in renewable energy education.

“The next generation of renewable energy workers who will power New Jersey are sitting in middle school classrooms right now,” said John Dempsey, CEO of Bluepoint Wind, a partnership between Ocean Winds (OW), an international offshore wind energy company and joint-venture between EDPR and ENGIE, and New York-based Global Infrastructure Partners. “Bluepoint Wind is helping educators prepare students for a net-zero New Jersey and decarbonized world, all while supporting the state’s innovative climate change curriculum. We are proud to support New Jersey teachers who are instrumental in fostering students’ passions for STEM and its critical role in building our energy future.”

Each of the 10 teachers will receive a $1,000 mini-grant funded by Bluepoint Wind and applied toward the purchase of interactive wind energy STEM kits from KidWind. KidWind will also provide the winners with training on how to incorporate the STEM kits into in-school and/or out-of-school learning environments.…Read More

CASEL Announces 2023 Social and Emotional Learning Leaders of the Year (SELLY) Awards

CHICAGO – CASEL announced the recipients of the 2023 SELLY Awards, honoring outstanding achievements of seven “Social and Emotional Learning Leaders of the Year” in the categories of research, practice, and public policy. The annual awards recognize individuals whose body of work and commitment to social and emotional learning (SEL) have advanced the field and paved the way for others.

“The social and emotional learning movement is built by people who have spent their time, energy, and passion working together to create optimal outcomes for students. These awards pay tribute to pioneering SEL leaders and honor today’s education innovators dedicated to enhancing the lives of youth across the nation,” said CASEL President and CEO, Dr. Aaliyah A. Samuel. 

This year, CASEL recognizes seven individuals: …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

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

SchooLinks Honored on Inc.’s 2023 Power Partner Awards List for its Remarkable Growth and Innovative College and Career Readiness Solutions

Austin, TX, (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — SchooLinks, the leading college and career readiness platform, is thrilled to announce its recognition as an honoree on Inc. magazine’s prestigious 2023 Power Partner Awards list. This achievement underscores SchooLinks’ remarkable growth, unwavering commitment to excellence, and its modern, innovative solutions that support students and educators nationwide.


The Inc. Power Partner Awards are a testament to the outstanding performance of companies that go above and beyond to drive their own success and that of their clients. Out of thousands of applicants, only a select few were chosen for this prestigious recognition, making SchooLinks’ inclusion a clear indication of its exceptional dedication to client growth and satisfaction.


Over the years, SchooLinks has experienced remarkable growth, expanding its reach and influence in the field of education. The platform’s unwavering commitment to helping students prepare for college and career success has driven its rise to prominence. SchooLinks offers innovative and comprehensive solutions that empower students and educators alike, fostering their journey towards successful futures.


SchooLinks’ Modern Innovative College and Career Readiness Solutions:

  • Personalized Learning Plans: SchooLinks’ cutting-edge platform offers personalized learning plans for students across all grade levels. The platform guides students as they navigate their personal interests, career goals, and educational aspirations and translates them into an actionable plan for their future.
  • Educator Support: SchooLinks understands that educators play a pivotal role in shaping students’ futures. The platform equips teachers, counselors, and administrators with the resources and insights they need to provide exceptional guidance that helps students make informed decisions about their future.
  • Integration and Accessibility: SchooLinks offers a seamless integration of tools and resources, making it easy for students and educators to access the necessary information. This can help districts reduce redundant systems, ensuring rapid adoption and engagement across the district. 

“We are honored to be listed as an Inc. Power Partner, and this recognition reaffirms our commitment to our mission of equipping students with the tools and resources they need to make informed decisions about their education and career paths,” said Katie Fang, Founder & CEO at SchooLinks.


SchooLinks continues to demonstrate that its passion for education and dedication to client success is unwavering. The company looks forward to building on this success in the years to come, continually evolving and innovating to meet the ever-changing needs of students and educators nationwide.

…Read More