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The first week of school can feel like a sprint, but it’s also your best chance to change the trajectory of the entire year. As we open season four of Straight Chalk, I’m sharing five foundational moves that help you build a classroom where students feel connected, supported, and ready to learn, without relying on gimmicks or one-off activities.

We start with belonging because students are silently asking, “Do I belong here?” A simple threshold greeting at the door, names said out loud, and a quick connection question can answer that in seconds. From there, we dig into relationships before rigor, including practical tools like a relationship map and the Two-by-Ten strategy, plus easy ways to build student-to-student community so your room feels safer for participation and risk-taking.

Next comes clarity. We talk classroom routines and procedures as a real instructional priority, not housekeeping, and why predictable expectations reduce cognitive load and improve student engagement. I also break down how CHAMPS can shift behavior management from reactive correction to proactive prevention. Then we move into learning your students before teaching the curriculum, using interest inventories, data, and low-stakes tasks to understand the learner behind the roster.

We wrap with hope, growth mindset, and the power of “yet,” along with feedback that names the next step and simple weekly reflections that make progress visible. If you’re planning for back-to-school, classroom management, and stronger teacher-student relationships, hit play and take what you need. Subscribe, share with a fellow educator, and leave a quick review so more teachers can find this support.

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In this episode, we sit down with Technology Support Specialist, Jessica Gutierrez, to explore how professional learning can move with purpose by honoring teacher voice, choice, and real classroom needs. Using Summer Summit as a case study, we examine how one thoughtfully designed, conference-style day can boost teacher confidence, strengthen connections across SLPS, and lead to meaningful classroom follow-through.

What began as a response to real challenges—teacher schedules, summer timing, and access—has evolved into an engaging learning experience built around flexibility and relevance. From personalized registration pathways to a wide variety of sessions—including Canvas, instructional strategies, ESE support, and ELL-focused practices—teachers are empowered to choose learning that matters to them. The conference-style design brings energy and collaboration, while intentional session structures create time for reflection, planning, and immediate application.

We also highlight key design decisions, including the one-day format that maximizes attention and momentum, as well as sneak peek sessions that introduce new resources and tools. Learning continues beyond the event through Lounge and Learn opportunities and the professional learning catalog, ensuring sustained impact. If this conversation resonates, share the podcast with a colleague—and join us again next month, wherever you get your podcasts.

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What happens when teachers lead the learning—and actually make it stick?

In this episode, we tap into the energy of InnovateEd, our first teacher-led conference, and turn those moments into practical moves you can try right away. From strategies that blend playful rigor with real thinking, to simple protocols that bring student ideas to the surface, this conversation is all about keeping powerful ideas alive long after the session ends.

Join the conversation together with guests Melanie Larsen, Amelia Turner, and Stephanie Dean to learn what made the learning land, why teacher voice matters more than ever, and how small shifts—done well—can transform the classroom. If you’ve ever left a great professional learning session wondering how to make it stick, this one’s for you.

Pick one idea. Try it within 72 hours. Then pass it on.