Educator PD
Build Systems That Stick
Building systems, not chasing trends, is how real change happens.
Amanda Koonlaba
Amanda Koonlaba, Ed. S. is an educator and educational consultant with over 12 years of experience teaching both visual art and regular education. Her career has been driven by the power of the arts to reach all learners. She is a published author and frequent speaker/presenter at education conferences. Amanda was named the Elementary Art Teacher of the Year for the state of Mississippi in 2016 and received the Arts Integration Service Award from the Mississippi Whole Schools Initiative (Mississippi Arts Commission) in 2015. She holds an Elementary and Middle Childhood Art certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. As a coach for The Institute for Arts Integration and STEAM, Amanda is on a mission to ensure every student in America has access to a high-quality arts-based education. She blogs at partyintheartroom.com.
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What is Arts Integration?The complete guide · 7 min readWhat is STEAM Education?The complete guide · 23 min read
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Educator PD
Yes, And… Is Not What You Think
Yes and isn’t just for improv, it’s a mindset shift that can transform how you teach, lead, and navigate real-life challenges.
Advocacy
Bringing Research to Life with AI
NotebookLM, Google's AI-powered research assistant, is changing how educators can engage with complex academic content.
Educator PD
The Secret Life of an Idea: How Creativity Really Happens
Biography of an idea isn’t just a theory—it’s a powerful way to help students engage, innovate, and see themselves as change-makers.
Educator PD
The Ungraded Classroom: Where Meaning Replaces Measurement
Alternative grading approaches like ungrading and standards-based grading challenge how we define learning, motivation, and student success.
Educator PD
Joy as a Teaching Strategy
Joy fuels learning. Aysha Upchurch shows how hip-hop, play, and disruption can transform classrooms into spaces where all can thrive.
Educator PD
The Principal Path: Clarity, Culture, & Connection
Principal leadership gets real: Darrin Peppard shares how clarity, service, and strong relationships create lasting school culture shifts.
Resources
2025 Summer Teacher Reading List
Explore 20 must-read books for teachers in 2025—covering professional growth, big ideas, and fiction escapes perfect for your summer break.
Educator PD
Beyond the Eyeroll: Overcoming Resistance
Overcoming resistance isn't defeat, it's progress.
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