Author Archives: marasimmons

2026- Mastery Grading Still Surfaces As an Innovative Practice….

Recently I attended a AI School Leader Innovative Conference sponsored by Toddle at a local independent school in Los Angeles. Fascinatingly the school presented their 10 year journey to adopt a mastery grading practice schoolwide (k-12) something that I personally appreciate with my given background in this area. Here is my previous post from aContinue reading “2026- Mastery Grading Still Surfaces As an Innovative Practice….”

In Education Hiring Season is Upon Us: Two Perspectives

From personal experience I offer this post as both a recent applicant and a recent recruiter/now employer. In education the marketplace is vast and incredibly competitive in most positions for 2026. With the given budget cuts in districts open positions will likely see a surge of applicants compared to the Covid years where money wasContinue reading “In Education Hiring Season is Upon Us: Two Perspectives”

To Do and NOT to DO- First Days of School: Relationships over Nuts & Bolts

Paloma, 8th Grade, 1st Day at CTL Academy Global/Soccer IQ Institute Making an impact the first days of school is essential for kicking off the year right- especially this year- some may say this is the first ‘normal year’ post the pandemic that caused total havoc in education and beyond. This school year schools haveContinue reading “To Do and NOT to DO- First Days of School: Relationships over Nuts & Bolts”

Reflection on the Decay of the Social Fabric

It used to be our society received common inputs of current events spanning political, social and beyond- I have not so fond memories of reading the backside of the printed newspaper at the breakfast table when I was younger. My parents would get the LA Times and my dad would read one section, mom theContinue reading “Reflection on the Decay of the Social Fabric”

Alas- Mastery Based Grading is Back!

We are in 2024 and just a couple of days ago- 2April24 editor Jeffrey R. Young published an article in EdSurge titled- Is it Time for a National Conversation about Eliminating Letter Grades. This topic has been part of my own career journey for the last 30 years- I remember a university professor in myContinue reading “Alas- Mastery Based Grading is Back!”

Getting Smart Town Hall Reflection

Getting Smart hosted a town hall meeting on 19March focused on the theme of ‘What is it going to take to make learner-centered ecosystems.’ On the town hall were over 100 participants from across the US mostly, not sure if there were others besides me in Europe or elsewhere. The meeting was set up withContinue reading “Getting Smart Town Hall Reflection”

The Power of Collective Vision

Recently I was asked a few questions about my thoughts in relation to student success, the changing landscape of schooling and bringing together multiple stakeholders effectively. After writing my responses to these questions I thought that they may benefit for others to have access- perhaps to create a DIALOGUE or sharing of effective practices. CurrentlyContinue reading “The Power of Collective Vision”

Developing a Sense of Urgency

In today’s PD session with CTL Academy Team, three weeks into the start of the school year the teachers shared that their students were showing signs of some bad habits returning. These habits included turning in work late, or not doing it, or not completing assigned tasks. Some of the teachers shared that to helpContinue reading “Developing a Sense of Urgency”

CTL Academy Professional Development Roadmap 2023-24

Last year’s theme was VUCA, the year before that UBUNTU – to know more about each of these check out previous posts. This year, 2023-24 we are focusing our efforts on GOOD to GREAT (G2G) building on our work with UBUNTU and VUCA. G2G stems from the work of Jim Collins and his best seller,Continue reading “CTL Academy Professional Development Roadmap 2023-24”