Posts by Compass PD, LLC
Don’t Let Math Slip Away: Sliding Into Fall with Skills Intact
By Constance Hallemeier The school year is winding down. The days are getting longer, the air warmer, and the desire for summer vacation is growing stronger. Images of kids sleeping in, playing with friends, and doing math… what? Wait, doing math, really? While the excitement of a break from routine is intense, there’s often a…
Read MoreThe Power of Book Clubs: A Principal’s Guide to Student Engagement
By Dr. Natalie Fallert Many administrators want to help teachers move beyond whole-class novels and embrace book clubs but worry about the lack of structure. The good news? Book clubs foster student independence, engagement, and deeper discussions—all while ensuring students actually read. If you’re unsure where to start, this guide will walk you through why…
Read MoreMore Than Words: An Autism Journey
By Michelle Kearns A picture is worth a thousand words—except this one. He didn’t have a thousand words. Maybe he did, but he couldn’t express them. Instead, he used his hands—six-year-old hands, flapping as fast as they could, his mouth open wide, eyes locked on the horizon as the sand and ocean met his feet.…
Read MoreELA Test Prep, Reimagined: Practical Tips for Real Results
By Dr. Natalie Fallert Test prep—two dreaded words for both teachers and students. While I firmly believe that the best test preparation is year-round instruction in reading and writing, I also recognize that many schools require dedicated test prep units. If we must do it, let’s do it right. Focus on Priority Standards I have…
Read MoreCreating a Learning Ecosystem: The Role of Effective Systems
By Dr. Carrie Hepburn In the dynamic world of education, establishing well-structured systems is essential for creating environments where all stakeholders—students, educators, administrators, and the community—can thrive. These systems define our operations, setting clear expectations and procedures that foster consistency, safety, and a shared sense of purpose. Schools can become chaotic without them, leading to…
Read MoreWhat You Do Matters: A Message for Educators in Times of Transition
By Dr. Carrie Hepburn Navigating Change with Strength and Purpose Let’s be honest—this time of year can feel like controlled chaos. Testing season is here. Schedules shift daily. There’s a rush to squeeze every last bit of knowledge into our students’ minds. Add to that the changes swirling around our districts: retirements, new hires, shifting…
Read MorePlanning and Expanding Summer Programs Part 2- Scaling Up Summer Learning: Strategies for Organization, Growth & Long-Term Success
By Dr. Sherri Lorton With students selected and families notified, transforming your vision into a well-structured, high-impact program is the next challenge. A summer learning initiative’s success hinges on thoughtful planning, smooth execution, and a strategic approach to future expansion. Beyond logistics, administrators must coordinate with key departments, manage resources efficiently, and explore growth opportunities…
Read MorePlanning and Expanding Summer Programs Part 1- Don’t Let Students Fall Behind: How to Select and Invite Families to Summer Programs
By Dr. Sherri Lorton For school administrators, summer programs offer a vital opportunity to support students who need additional academic help, enrichment opportunities, or credit recovery. Whether launching a new program or expanding an existing one, careful planning and coordination across multiple departments are essential for success. This guide provides key strategies for selecting students,…
Read MoreWhy Self-Selected Reading Matters: Building Lifelong Readers in Secondary Schools
By Nicole Leachman One of the greatest problems that secondary English teachers face is how to help students have purposeful and meaningful interactions with literature. One of the best ways to accomplish this is by incorporating self-selected, independent reading into the classroom culture. What are a few of the benefits of self-selected reading? It’s important…
Read MoreEveryone is a Math Person: Yes, Even You!
By Dr. Sherri Lorton and Constance Hallemeier How many times have you heard someone say, “I’m just not a math person “ or “I’m not good at math”? Maybe you’ve even said it yourself. But what if we told you that’s a myth? Research shows that mathematical ability isn’t innate–it’s developed. Mathematics isn’t about being…
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