PreK-12 blog

Middle school and high school teachers play a crucial role in preparing their students for life after graduation, whether it’s college or entering the workforce. Do you have students who are intrigued by the healthcare field? The healthcare field is so broad – where do they even start? What pathways and career opportunities are available? How can you ignite a passion for a future in healthcare within your students? This blog is here to provide you with the guidance you need and give you the tools to empower your students with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive.

For many high school students, figuring out what comes after graduation can feel overwhelming. But when they have opportunities to explore careers, build in-demand skills, earn recognized credentials, and connect classroom learning to the real world, their path forward can become much clearer.

For Ryleigh Holland of Stamford, Vermont, that path led to architecture.

As a student at McCann Technical High School, Ryleigh wasn't always sure what she wanted her future career to look like. Attending a school focused on career and technical education gave her the opportunity to explore different possibilities, and ultimately discover a passion that would shape her future.

Imagine this scenario.

A student's homework is always complete and submitted on time. Their paragraph responses hit all required expectations. They earn nearly 100% on multiple-choice checks. They appear confident and prepared.

Then the proctored test arrives. 

For AP Economics teachers, July brings more than just exam scores. It brings an opportunity to improve instruction for the year ahead.

While it's natural to focus on students' AP scores, those numbers tell only part of the story. The most valuable insights come from understanding why students performed the way they did and using that information to make intentional instructional decisions before the new school year begins.  

Everyone has different rules.

When it comes to AI, there may be only one thing teachers can agree on: we do not have all the answers about AI use in today's classrooms.

As a result, each classroom takes a different approach. One allows AI in limited circumstances, another bans it completely, another ignores the topic altogether, and yet another leverages it as a core component of learning. The result? Students spend much of their energy trying to figure out the rules.

The irony is that students are in the same boat. Research suggests many students are uncertain about AI use and are looking for clear expectations, consistent norms, open conversations, and guidance that helps them use these tools responsibly (College Board; Schwartz and Diliberti).

This is the conversation we can’t escape.

If you’ve stepped foot in a school’s teachers’ lounge in the last few years, you’ve probably heard the words cheating and AI mentioned more than a handful—perhaps a hundred—times. Not without reason. Generative AI has dramatically changed the landscape of education at every level. Teachers are grappling with this seismic shift while trying to keep up with a job that is already overwhelming.

While I share these concerns, I want to pose a different perspective:  let’s shift our attention—and our invaluable energy—away from cheating and toward missed learning opportunities.

Ask a student to memorize a formula, and AI can do it faster. But ask them to apply it to a real-world problem, and that’s where the future of rigor lies.

Imagine this: Your students burst into class, eager to tackle the day's challenges. They collaborate. Celebrate. Create. It’s the ideal classroom. And it’s not just a dream — it’s a reality you can have when you bring gamification into your teaching.

If you’re an adult learner looking to make a career change quickly, short-term training can be a smart way to gain the skills that employers want, without spending years in school. Here’s how to make the most of short-term training.