Shaped

A community-driven blog supporting educators, building lifelong learners, and shaping the future of education.* 

 

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Latest Posts

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Educators’ confidence is rising—how do we sustain long-term growth?

Educators’ confidence isn’t just a sentiment – it’s a strategy. Learn how impacts everything from teacher retention to instructional effectiveness to willingness to adopt new tools and practices.

Francie Alexander
Senior Vice President, Efficacy & Consulting Research

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How to Lesson Plan for New Teachers 

Find helpful lesson planning tips and resources for new teachers.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

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3 Effective Instructional Coaching Strategies

Instructional coaching can play a vital role in supporting teachers on this journey—not by evaluating them, but by partnering with them to enhance instructional effectiveness and student outcomes. Discover strategies to make your coaching relationship more effective.

Christina Lastoria
HMH Instructional Coach

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High-Quality Instructional Materials in Reading and ELA: Resources for Students and Teachers

HQIM don’t just support learning—they help shape the entire educational experience. Learn more about how both students and teachers can benefit from high-quality instructional materials.

Miah Daughtery, EdD
NWEA VP, Content Advocacy-Literacy, HMH

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Why Is Data Important in Education?

Explore why data is important in education through effective collection, analysis, and data-driven instruction that supports student success.

Dr. Stephan Knobloch
Sr. Director Academic Planning & Analytics, HMH

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What a New Teacher and a Veteran Teacher Had in Common About Tech

Read more on why, when designed thoughtfully, technology shouldn’t be a barrier. Instead, it should bridge the gap between curriculum and teacher needs, ensuring that both new and veteran teachers have the tools to succeed.

Jim O’Neill
President, Core and Supplemental Solutions

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Reading Achievement Is on the Rise in New Haven Public Schools

Reading scores for Connecticut's New Haven Public Schools reached what officials called a “crisis.” Three years later, the numbers are starting to turn around.

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

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How AI can enhance a high-quality classroom experience

Hear from Andrew Goldman at HMH Labs on how artificial intelligence can benefit your classroom experience.

Andrew Goldman
Executive Vice President, HMH Labs

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3 Professional Learning Strategies for Successful High-Quality Instructional (HQIM) Adoption

Do you want to improve student literacy outcomes? Consider deploying these HQIM implementation strategies to drive student success.

Miah Daughtery, EdD
NWEA VP, Content Advocacy-Literacy, HMH

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2026 Back-to-School Articles for Educators

Bookmark this page featuring our 2025 back-to-school articles for educators. It’s filled with the resources you need to start the school year off strong, from prepping for the first day, to classroom management strategies, and more.

Shaped Staff

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Teachers in the Age of AI

Hear from HMH CEO, Jack Lynch, on how artificial intelligence can support teachers in the changing landscape of education.

John "Jack" Lynch
Chief Executive Officer

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What Is School Culture and How Can You Improve It?

Learn more about defining and improving your school culture with helpful tips and a planning template.

Zoe Del Mar
Shaped Executive Editor

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Instructional Scaffolding Examples & Strategies

Meet students where they are with these instructional scaffolding examples and strategies that can be applied across subjects and grade levels.

Christen Spehr
Shaped Editor

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How to Engage Students in Active Learning

Make lessons more relevant with these four fun ways to engage students in active learning.

Edward Matthews
Shaped Contributor

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What Do Teachers Want for Teacher Appreciation Week? 

We reached out to teachers and asked them to share the most meaningful ways principals, students, and families can show appreciation for Teacher Appreciation Week and all year long. Here's what they said.

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

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What Is Professional Learning for Teachers?

Explore what is professional learning for teachers, including its definition, benefits, and ways to engage with it.

Lynn Walters

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6 Classroom Discussion Strategies for Engaging All Students

Explore classroom discussion strategies that can help you to engage all students while keeping them on track.

Jenny Fulton
Shaped Contributor

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Fun Professional Development Activities for Teachers 

Professional development can be enjoyable and effective. Get tips to ensure that it not only addresses serious aspects of teaching but also brings joy.

Amanda Partida
Lead Instructional Designer, HMH