Developing new skills or changing behaviors is an ongoing journey—one with no final destination. As we navigate through life, we continually evolve, adding new skills and adapting our behaviors to meet changing circumstances. Sometimes this process is intentional, guided by deliberate learning and structured development. Other times, we are challenged to keep pace with unexpected demands. Regardless of how it unfolds, this journey consists of two key components.

Leadership isn’t just about theory—it’s about making decisions, handling challenges, and learning from experience. This blog explores how simulations and self-debriefing help aspiring school leaders bridge the gap between knowledge and real-world application. Discover why reflection is a crucial part of experiential learning and how it fosters confident, capable leadership.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the education sector, enabling institutions to harness data more effectively, address complex challenges, and improve outcomes for students, educators, and administrators. At its core, AI serves as a tool to enhance understanding and inform decision-making, offering innovative ways to foster growth and resilience within educational systems. This article explores the motivation behind our new AI-driven dashboards, their purpose, and their role in addressing pressing needs in both higher education and K-12 school environments.

As we enter 2025, it’s the perfect time for educators to reflect on their professional growth and set new resolutions. Continuous learning is essential for adapting to new challenges, improving teaching practices, and fostering student success. Professional development (PD) should be an ongoing priority, not just a one-time event. Here’s how educators can make learning a priority in 2025.

As industries strive to keep pace with rapid change, innovative approaches to learning and development have become essential. For years, the business world has leveraged simulation-based training to upskill employees, build leadership, and enhance real-time decision-making in high-stakes environments. While simulations are a staple in corporate training, their potential in education is vast yet largely untapped. Could the very tools that have reshaped corporate learning be adapted to transform the way our educators and school leaders approach learning?

The University of Maryland’s Center for Educational Innovation and Improvement School Improvement Leadership Academy (SILA) recently convened a group of seven assistant principals for a follow-up session designed to deepen their leadership skills. Part of SILA’s mission is to provide comprehensive, evidence-based professional learning for Maryland principals and assistant principals in the academy. Dr. Douglas Anthony, Director of the EdD in School System Leadership, shared that sessions are designed for school-based leaders to examine and grapple with the intersection of equity, instruction, and improvement in their daily practice.

In today’s fast-paced and often high-stress educational environment, students’ mental health is more critical than ever. Research indicates that mental health challenges are prevalent among students, with studies showing that around 20% of youth experience significant emotional distress. Moreover, many of these challenges begin during adolescence, making it crucial to implement proactive mental health strategies in both K-12 and higher education settings. This underscores the importance of fostering supportive environments that promote emotional well-being and resilience among students.

In the training and preparation of aspiring school leaders, educators, and counselors, experiential learning is key. Colleges and universities strive to equip their students with the tools and experience needed to thrive in complex, real-world environments. Traditionally, case studies have been a widely-used method for introducing students to real-world problems, giving them a chance to analyze and learn from past scenarios. However, with the evolution of experiential learning tools, simulations have emerged as an even more effective way to prepare future leaders.

As educational leaders grapple with crises, it has become increasingly clear that traditional training methods are insufficient for preparing future educators to handle the complexities of real-world scenarios.

Reflection is a crucial aspect of professional growth for educators. It enables teachers to assess their practices, identify areas for improvement, and enhance their effectiveness in the classroom. This blog explores the importance of reflection in teaching and how simulations can serve as powerful tools in facilitating meaningful professional development experiences.