Great Minds

Whether you’re an educator, school leader, or education advocate, chances are you turn to social media for inspiration, connection, or just a well-deserved break. 💭 We’d love to know...what’s your favorite social media platform (besides LinkedIn, of course)? Vote in the poll below + share in the comments why you love it or tell us your go-to if it’s not listed! 

Across the country, states like Mississippi are showing what’s possible when schools commit to evidence-based literacy practices and long-term support for educators. Here are three key takeaways from Mississippi’s approach, highlighted in a recent New York Post article, that can inspire leaders everywhere: 1️⃣ Be honest and support struggling readers. Families deserve to know how their children are doing, and we mean realllly know how they’re doing. In Mississippi, schools are required to create Individualized Reading Plans that include targeted interventions and progress monitoring. 2️⃣ Empower educators. We get it, it’s hard to unlearn something that was believed to be best practice for decades. But when teachers are equipped with evidence-based training and a high-quality curriculum like Wit & Wisdom, they can better support student outcomes. Investing in professional learning and giving educators time to implement new approaches truly makes a difference. 3️⃣ Set difficult but achievable goals. Clear, measurable goals supported by consistent state leadership can lead to lasting improvements in literacy across communities. There is no quick fix. But with a shared vision, strong state support, and belief in every learner’s potential, success is attainable. Educators, families, advocates, this work takes all of us. What are some things your schools are doing to ensure literacy success for your students?

This art challenge in the The New York Times encourages spending time viewing a digital reproduction of Van Gogh's "Starry Night." It is a painting almost everyone knows but few have really seen. Even if you go to see it in person at MOMA the crowds and cell phone photographers make it difficult to pause for long. And the glass which protects it also obscures your view. This has become the case with masterpieces worldwide, from "Girl with a Pearl Earring" at the Rijksmuseum to the "Mona Lisa" at the Louvre. I appreciate the NYT offering this opportunity to closely examine something so compelling, even if it is through our screens. https://lnkd.in/eHqrf7UM

Excited to share the story of our district’s adoption and implementation of Eureka Math²— especially grateful for our partnership over the last two years. It’s the perfect curriculum to pair with Building Thinking Classrooms strategies, and no other product embeds high-quality professional learning the way they do. Thank you to @GreatMinds for shining a spotlight on us!

📬 Read about the student successes two Arizona schools are experiencing after implementing multiple Great Minds products in this month’s newsletter. Not yet part of our community? Subscribe today!

Thanks to Governors Philip Bredesen and Bill Haslam for having me on the latest episode of their podcast, You Might be Right. We had a great conversation about the state of U.S. education, what's needed to bring about real and lasting change, and lessons from K-12 bright spots. I also learned a lot from listening to fellow guests Jeb Bush and Rahm Emanuel discuss the need for greater accountability in, and urgency around, public education. Please check it out and let me know what you think. https://lnkd.in/gnZxCatH

A recent study conducted in the Netherlands emphasizes the significance of early numeracy in predicting future mathematics achievement. Numeracy encompasses the capacity to comprehend and effectively apply mathematical concepts in real-life contexts. This can be done through counting ingredients while cooking with a caregiver or sorting shapes while playing with a friend. The study emphasizes the need for a combination of high-quality instructional materials, helping kids connect math to everyday life, and engaging with families around math learning.     Kids need strong daily core instruction (through HQIM), informal interactions with math throughout the school day, and effective resources for caregivers to support early numeracy at home. The study strongly advocates for the establishment of a formal intervention program designed to elevate early numeracy skills among all children, with particular emphasis on those from at-risk populations. By investing in students' foundational mathematical abilities, we can set them on a path to success and ensure a brighter future for every child! #MathEducation #EarlyNumeracy #MathLeadership #EarlyChildhood

Welcome to the Great Minds Family! We are so excited to have Adair-Casey Guthrie Center School District as a new Wit and Wisdom Partner. https://lnkd.in/ghubmz8G

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! Thank you, educators, for everything you do to build knowledge and inspire greatness in your students. We’re celebrating YOU with a five-day giveaway, starting NOW! Each day this week, one educator will win a Level K-3 Geodes Classroom Kit of their choice for their classroom, school, library, or home! Plus, additional winners will receive Great Minds swag. 🙃 Entering is easy; fill out the short form once to be eligible for the entire week. ➡️ https://ow.ly/OApP50VMTJa Do you know an educator who’d love this prize? Tag or share this post with them!