Sarah Gonser

The Look It’s that quick glance that says, “I see you. I know exactly what you’re doing. And no, you’re not getting away with it.”

🚨🎧 Edutopia just launched a podcast! It’s called School of Practice, and it’s chock-full of strategies to improve your teaching today.

Join us every two weeks for 15-minute episodes filled with smart, pedagogy-shifting advice—backed by the research, and test-driven by teachers just like you.

The cover of the School of Practice podcast from Edutopia Radio. It features a human pyramid of educators helping each other up.

Introducing School of Practice, our first podcast! 🎧

Join us for 15-minute episodes filled with smart, pedagogy-shifting advice—backed by the research, and test-driven by teachers just like you.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4psx6Zv

Subscribe on Spotify: https://bit.ly/47T3Wwg

Introducing Homeroom! Our most personalized feed yet, designed to give you an endlessly-useful experience every time you visit.

We’re thrilled to introduce our most personalized feature yet. It’s designed to make every visit to Edutopia more useful, inspiring, and tailored *to you.*

Power up with Homeroom: edut.to/4n12xry

What to Do When Your Lesson Goes Kaput Teacher-tested strategies for handling instructional snafus—including when to call it quits on a lesson and regroup.

"What if, in spite of painstaking prep, the lesson falls flat?"
@sarahgo1.bsky.social via @edutopia.org
www.edutopia.org/article/what...

6 Things We’re Getting Wrong About Tech Integration Despite years of investment, many schools are still missing the mark on technology integration. Here’s what the experts told us needs to change—and how to get started this year.

When researching what can go wrong w/ #edtech integration (at the classroom/building/and district level), I found educators citing the exact same problems today that they flagged 10+ years ago.

I went out searching for guidance on carving a path forward.

My latest for @edutopia.org:

27 Ways to Optimize Your Classroom Design for Better Learning A research-based lineup of smart, effective classroom design tips that support deep learning, reduce distraction, and build belonging.

Classroom design is partly an art, and partly a science.

To make it easier for you this year, we compiled 27 research-backed, teacher-tested tips. Check ‘em out below. 👇

#ClassroomDesign #BackToSchool #EduSky

Amy Erin Borovoy, smiling in front of a background of red fall leaves

Today, we're celebrating *20 years* with our wonderful Director of Video, @video-amy.bsky.social 🎉

We're proud & grateful to have had Amy's creativity and passion on the team for 2 whole decades. Thank you for shaping Edutopia's story, Amy—and for sharing the stories of educators around the world!

7 Research-Backed Tech Tips You Can Use Today From AI tutors that actually work to a simple trick for beating back digital distractions.

“Technological skills are projected to grow in importance more rapidly than any other skills in the next five years,” concludes the World Economic Forum in its 2025 Future of Jobs Report.

My latest @edutopia.org article with the amazing
@tatertutt.bsky.social:
www.edutopia.org/article/7-re...

It was so fun to report on teachers being wildly creative in eliciting student genre passions to allow for engagement and deep analysis. Thanks @scottstorm.bsky.social for sharing your insights and reposting!

Why Writing Beats Typing. Brain scans reveal that the fine-motor skills involved in writing by hand light up parts of the brain associated with deeper learning. Illustration of two students at a desk. One is typing on a computer, and the other is writing by hand. There are illustrations symbolizing each student's brain activity: the one writing has many areas of the brain stimulated, while the one typing has fewer.

Neuroscientists say don’t write off handwriting! ✍️

Here's why.

🧵 1/10 #EduSky #EdResearch

Educators, what brilliant uses of tech have you seen this year? For an @edutopia.org story, we’re gathering standout examples—with or without AI—that truly elevate teaching and learning.

Whether it’s your own strategy or one from another educator, we’d love to hear what’s surprised or inspired you!

The Science of Student Motivation Noted author and psychologist David Yeager on the common mistakes we make when giving feedback to students, and how to tap into purpose and belonging to make classroom work more meaningful.

Why do students ignore feedback? Edutopia’s @youkiterada.bsky.social spoke to psychologist David Yeager to take a peek inside a student’s brain for answers. 🧠 🔍

#EduSky #teachers

How to Make the Most of Loose Parts Play in Preschool From counting and classifying to literacy lessons, teacher-tested learning opportunities that encourage autonomy and creativity.

That cluttered junk drawer? It’s a curriculum goldmine for preschoolers. 📎🥄🔩

Here’s how #LoosePartsPlay with household castoffs can transform learning into hands-on exploration and lay the groundwork for creativity, critical thinking, and lifelong learning.

#PreK #preschool

Bar chart titled “How ‘Learning Styles’ Can Limit Student Potential.” While 70% of teachers falsely believe visual learners are smarter, a similar proportion credit hands-on learners with working harder. In response to the question “Which student is smarter?”, 70% of teachers said visual learner, and 30% said hands-on learner. In response to the question “Which student works harder?”, 31% said visual learner, and 69% said hands-on learner.

The notion that students have “learning styles” has been thoroughly debunked.

New research has uncovered another big problem with the idea: Labeling kids as “visual learners” or “hands-on learners” can reinforce harmful misconceptions about students’ strengths and weaknesses.

🧵1/6 #EduSky

Got questions about improving your grading practice, enhancing assessments, or tapping into student motivation?

Edutopia’s @tatertutt.bsky.social is speaking with veteran educator and instructional coach @mrrablin.bsky.social about his book Hacking Student Motivation.

#EdChat #assessment #EduSky

I’m honored to be a part of the panel that will discuss the one question we’ve been hearing lately: How can AI help me save time without losing the personal touch that makes our work so impactful? Join us at Edutopia’s free virtual event to get practical strategies: bit.ly/41GVRFW #edusky #eduai

How to Rethink the Objectives of Classroom Discussion Expanding participation beyond traditional metrics like hand-raising gives more kids entry points into the conversation.

When classroom participation moves beyond a box-checking activity, students have an entry point to meaningfully engage in conversations, think critically, and close gaps in understanding. 💬⭐

#EduSky

We want to hear from you—literally. Your message could be featured in an upcoming podcast! #EduSky

After Declaring NAEP Off-Limits, Education Department Cancels Upcoming Test One prominent researcher said the flip-flop offers ‘the first direct evidence that executive actions have weakened NAEP.’

Cancelling NAEP is a terrible idea. It’s the most reliable metric of how schools are doing (on one important dimension)
www.the74million.org/article/afte...

It’s Important to Talk About Learning Accommodations With Your Students—Here’s How to Do It From metaphors for elementary school kids to mindset shifts and graphic organizers for teens, here are teacher-tested tips for normalizing learning accommodations across grade levels.

Edutopia’s @annenoyessaini.bsky.social spoke to veteran educators and gathered their best tips for discussing learning accommodations with students—at *every* grade level. 💬

#EduSky #SpecialEducation

Question: What Do You Do When a Lesson Flops? Our community is building a list of strategies. How do you respond when a lesson flops?

Your insights can help fellow educators navigate these inevitable & difficult classroom moments.

Please share your thoughts!

www.edutopia.org/article/ques...

Do you pivot quickly & adjust on the fly? ✈️

Do you pause for student feedback, turning the moment into a learning opportunity? 🧠

Maybe you have a go-to backup plan that helps get things back on track? 📝

Question: What Do You Do When a Lesson Flops? Our community is building a list of strategies. How do you respond when a lesson flops?

What matters most is how we respond.

👉 #EduSky, we'd like to hear from you: What do you do when a lesson flops?

www.edutopia.org/article/ques...

Maybe your students look bored, the activity takes an unexpected turn, or the timing just isn't right.

It can feel super frustrating in the moment, but it can also be an opportunity for growth.

Sometimes even the most well-planned lessons just ... flop.

Let's talk about it.

Question: What Do You Do When a Lesson Flops? Our community is building a list of strategies. How do you respond when a lesson flops?

In a time where most online comment sections are dumpster fires, I'm proud of the culture we're building in the @edutopia.org comments! (We recently reopened them after some time without). This is a great example: teachers sharing what works when a lesson flops: www.edutopia.org/article/ques...

60-Second Strategy: Attendance Question Transforming a mundane task like roll call into a chance to connect and share a moment with students makes the start of class more joyful.

Happy Friday! On a scale of medieval lions, how are you doing today?

I *love* this teacher's way of taking attendance with a goofy question—it gets all the kids tuned in and kicks her class off with a little joy.

Latest video via @edutopia.org: www.edutopia.org/video/60-sec...

Post from Daniel Leonard on X: Math teachers, I'm working on a story for @‌edutopia, and I'm curious: What apps or digital tools have become your go-to resources to enhance instruction over the last few years?

Math teachers: Edutopia assistant editor Daniel Leonard wants to know about your go-to apps and tools! #EduSky #MathSky

It was great working with @chelseabeck.bsky.social on this illustration of Spencer Russell for Edutopia! Chelsea is a super talented illustrator and and equally great art director. I wish all projects were this fun!

A math teacher reached out with a question: “My 8th graders took their first Algebra exam of the year, and half failed the test. What do I do now?”

#EduSky, what suggestions do you have for this teacher needing help?