Smizer Consulting

Providing Education and EdTech consulting and support services across marketing, operations, branding, culture improvement, curriculum planning and development, and user experience.

Owner

ProSolve

Product & Curriculum Manager

NextWave STEM

First Executive level hire
Managed 21 individual contributors (whole company)
Created crisis management strategies, long-term fiscal health and growth plans, and product development roadmaps including staffing and content development timelines
Owned client relationships for 175 accounts, including equipment procurement, professional development, curriculum access, customer success and support, and renewals
Identified and mitigated business-critical risks including instituting mandatory background checks for individuals providing in-classroom service, payroll risk management, cost risk analysis for services and hardware solutions, and legal issues raised by staff
Managed CRM process improvements, best practices documentation, and scaling efforts reducing procurement and service errors by 85%
Aligned RFP/Q market penetration strategy, BDR outreach cadence, lead list generation, and marketing efforts resulting in 4x more marketing mailers scheduled, an open rate increase from 11% to 18%, and an estimated 150% more M/SQLs
Responsible for filling 14 open roles across Operations & Sales

Director of Operations

NeuroMaker STEM

Leadership and People Operations
- recruited, vetted, and interviewed 40+ Contractors, part-, &  full-time employees; then played a critical role in the hiring process of 15+ Contractors, part-time, & full-time employees. My full-time hire has since been promoted to an Associate Director.
- supported 1099ers and sales representatives with marketing materials, onboarding, sales, and communication support
- responsible for process improvement across several departments

Product Management
     NeuroMaker e-Learning
- supported and now own the development of NeuroMaker’s e-learning platform & e-learning courses, including the recruitment and management of SMEs
- developed and priced the multi-path option resulting in greater sales outcomes 

Project Management
     NeuroMaker Website
- maintain and update website
- reported weekly on Google Analytics key metrics, including lead generation, user acquisition, user behavior
     Data Pilot Program
- determine 20+ critical data categories and demographic identifiers surrounding the impact of NeuroMaker curriculum and hardware-specific outcomes to support districts in meeting attendance and behavior concerns 

Business Development
     Partnerships
- independently initiated and secured a partnership with a leading U.S. 3D printing company, ensuring that our districts have a trusted vendor through which to purchase makerspace equipment
- reviewed all other partnerships that impact any department under my purview, particularly curriculum, hardware, software, and content.
     Customer Success
- owned the development and start-up of the Customer Success department, including the creation of operating procedures, KPI development, Salesforce (CRM) integrations, and customer monitoring cycles
     Sales Enablement
- owned and operated solicitation process beginning in summer of 2022, resulting in 8 completed RFPs, being awarded an RFP through Dallas ISD, as well as moving into final round consideration for a large district in GA

Director of User Experience

Product Development & Management
     HAND Curriculum Rebuild and Arduino Project (Project Management)
- owned and developed a comprehensive curriculum offering (80+ hours of interdisciplinary STEM content), ensuring the project stayed within budget and on time
- reported on the project during weekly cross-functional team stand-ups to establish ongoing needs, risks, and success metrics/KPIs
- collected critical user feedback, ranging from barriers-to-access to quality-of-life features that impacted the rollout of the curriculum, ultimately leading to the development of the Customer Success department

Project Management
     NeuroMaker Website
- crafted 150+ pages using WPBakery and a variety of WP plugins, including Interactive Maps, PDF Embedder, Redirection, etc. while overseeing a web design contractor 
- reported weekly on Google Analytics key metrics, including lead generation, user acquisition, user behavior

Business Development
     Partnerships
- independently initiated and secured a partnership with a leading U.S. 3D printing company, ensuring that our districts have a trusted vendor through which to purchase makerspace equipment
     Sales Enablement
- supported in securing nearly 50% of direct revenue during fiscal year 2022

Social Media
- oversaw graphics creation and created copy for social media across 4 major platforms 3 times a week, resulting in an increase of 210.1% (431) new followers to the LinkedIn business page since assuming responsibility on September 1, 2022 (as of January 31, 2023)

Marketing
- developed 50+ pages of marketing, testimonial, and blog content driving traffic to sales contact and website

Associate Director of Curriculum

Product Development & Management
NeuroMaker HAND Curriculum Revamp
- developed layout for updated HAND curriculum
- crafted supporting documentation for new curriculum release, including standard support documentation, curriculum progressions, Career & Technical Education documentation, crosswalks for integrating NeuroMaker material into core and supplemental STEM/CTE materials, etc.
- managed 5+ Contractors who developed critical standard alignment and curriculum documentation during the initial curriculum build
- created dozens of customized progressions based on individual school/district/organization requirements ensuring that program goals and objectives were met within the program's allotted time frame
NeuroMaker e-Learning
- produced several courses for NeuroMaker's e-learning product and managed 3 SME Contractors who developed courses for the platform

Sales Enablement
- supported sales team members by providing expert advice and support during calls with prospective customers, improving close rates

Implementation Support
- assisted implementation team by providing curriculum and integration support to customers needing aid with applying curriculum or materials into their classroom or program

Curriculum Manager

PowerSchool

managed a portfolio of 30+ enterprise-level districts exceeding 6 million dollars through SalesForce, Gainsight, and Zendesk, with 97% of all accounts engaged with a formal account review 
1.5 times the number of customer references enrolled than departmental average
$140,000 in sales referrals attained in 6 months; 70% of that translating to ARR ($96,000) processed via Netsuite
90.4% of all renewals booked with a PO or signed quote for fiscal year 2021 (higher than dept. average)
Rookie Rockstar recipient (Quarter 3, 2021)

Customer Success Manager

Illuminate Education, Inc.

used data analytics insights to support educators as well as advise senior district leadership regarding best practices for professional development and implementation plans and timelines
consistently achieved over 95% satisfaction rating from training participants
delivered trainings to educators and administrators in groups of between 2 and 250 participants, ultimately training over 1,800 users and supporting 50+ districts
preferred trainer for high-risk, renewal, and migration districts
published expert in Illuminate’s “Increasing Equity & Empowering Change” 
Illuminate Instructor Spotlight recipient - August & September 2020

Interim Lead Trainer

Content Developer and Trainer

Fruitvale School District

Multiple Subject Teacher

TCSD

Burrel Union Elementary School District

Great Harvest Bread Co.

I started out as a front of house customer service representative, helping customers select our hand crafted breads, preparing savory sandwiches, and serving delicious breakfast spreads. After a few months in the front, I was given the opportunity to work behind the scenes as a baker. This transition was a real eye-opener about the real care and time required to make quality breads and pastries. I absolutely loved the people and bread and split my time between working overnights and substituting during the day.

Baker

After 6 action- and service-packed years in the classroom, I left teaching in 2020 looking for a way to more broadly impact the lives of teachers. I got my footing in EdTech first in the contractor arena as a teacher trainer and e-learning developer for two assessment companies. During that period I worked with thousands of teachers and dozens of districts to provide high-quality and customized training and created dozens of hours of original e-learning content that would go on to serve as the backbone of an asynchronous training program. 

In mid-2021, I pivoted to Customer Success for one of the largest EdTech providers and quickly become an award-winning high-performer. I managed a book of business of over $6M while maintaining 97% account engagement with over 90% of all renewals booked with a PO or signed quote for that year. I also demonstrated my ability to play well with others, partnering with my Sales Manager to capture $140K in referrals in 6 months with 70% of that translating into ARR. 

After that, I took a Curriculum Manager position with NeuroMakerSTEM, a small Brain-Computer Interface and Prosthetics-based Edtech Startup looking for someone with the ability to take their curriculum to the next level. I delivered on that promise, kicking off and then visioning and owning the development and revamping of over 80 hours of interdisciplinary STEM curriculum with the support of a team of contractors and an instructional designer that I was responsible for hiring, onboarding, and leading. 

Since serving at NeuroMaker, I have been promoted twice, ultimately to the Director of User Experience where I now own a variety of departments including Curriculum, Social Media, Marketing, E-Learning Content Creation & Curation, Sales Enablement, Training & Development, and Website Design, Development & Maintenance. In addition, I've also created several departments, including Customer Success and Solicitations (RFPs, RFQs). I am also directly responsible for project management within the User Experience division and often serve a long-term strategy and visioning role for other departments because of my deep understanding of the Education and EdTech marketplace. 

Outside of work, I spend my time supporting the Transitioning Teacher community with Portfolio Advice and Services. I've had the pleasure of creating a comprehensive guide to portfolios and have been featured on several podcasts and vlogs as a guest expert in regard to transitioning from the classroom or as a female leader in EdTech.

Claire Smizer

Had a client call this morning. And everything was normal... 

until it wasn't... 

Unbeknownst to me, my oldest
- snuck out of bed
- crept into the basement (where my office is)
- put on a full dance-parade-vibe performance behind me

The pièce de résistance? When she hid around the corner and poked a broom into my office - as if I (or the client) wouldn't make the connection between the levitating broom and the little catburglar we'd seen run across the background several times. 

 10/10 - chaos
 0/10 - stealth
1000/10 - entertainment on a Friday morning

So #WorkFromHome #Parents - how do you handle/keep a straight face when your kid becomes the uninvited star of your meeting? 

Besides installing a laser security system...

🤪 the winner of this week's "That's my kid!" award.

Co-Founder @ BrightMinds AI | EdTech Start-up Builder and Strategist 🌀| Teacher Advocate | Oxford Comma Enthusiast

Today's the day! 🎉

In just a few hours, we'll be diving into The Portfolio Advantage: How to Future-Proof Your Career in the Age of AI. 

If you've been wondering where to start, or if you've felt like your #Resume doesn't tell the full story - this session is for you. 🥰

We'll talk about
✨ how #Portfolios help you connect the dots between your experiences and skills
✨ why proof matters more than polish
✨ and how to build something that reflects who you are and where you’re ready to go next

Whether you’re mid-pivot, exploring options, or just curious - you’re in exactly the right place. 💡

See you soon!

What To Brind to the Masterclass

Would you rather
A. apply to a job via workday
B. play hangman with a kindergartener (who, by the way, hasn't learned to spell... but is also 100% confident that they are a spelling wizard)

Toward the end of round 3 and hearing "Oh wait... " for the 1,000th time... I was starting to feel a little on the fence. 

Totally stole this post idea from Adam Karpiak who brings a healthy dose of humor to my feed. 🙏

Question for the community:


Why does the dog only get zoomies when I'm in a meeting?

The derp in question:

BrightMinds-AI: Smart School Solutions

Co-Founder

The Outlier Project

Member

Ink & Integrity

When a school district reached out to me, they were facing a significant challenge. Their students were disengaged, and the dropout rates were alarmingly high, particularly in their STEM programs. The district knew that they needed to take action, but they weren't sure where to start.

That's where I came in. With over 20 years of experience as an educational technology consultant, I've developed a keen understanding of the challenges that schools face when trying to integrate technology into their curricula. I knew that the key to engaging students and reducing dropout rates was to create a learning environment that was both innovative and inclusive.

I worked closely with the district to develop a customized STEM curriculum that would resonate with their students. We focused on hands-on learning experiences, project-based assignments, and real-world applications of scientific concepts. But we didn't stop there. We also provided teachers with the training and support they needed to effectively deliver this new curriculum.

The results were remarkable. Student engagement soared, and dropout rates plummeted. The district saw a renewed sense of enthusiasm and curiosity among their students, who were now excited to come to school each day and explore the world of science and technology.

This is just one example of the impact that I strive to make with each and every client. Whether you're looking to improve operational efficiency, enhance teaching practices, or engage students in new and exciting ways, I have the skills and expertise to help you achieve your goals.

When you work with me, you can expect a partnership built on a foundation of integrity, empathy, and a deep commitment to your success. I take the time to listen to your unique needs and challenges, and then I work tirelessly to develop customized solutions that deliver measurable results.

Educational Consultant

Esol Education

When I joined AISA as the Head of the Science Department, I encountered a team that was dedicated and hardworking, but also struggling to keep up with the rapid changes in science education. The curriculum was focused on content and assessments, leaving little room for the kind of hands-on, experiential learning that we know is so critical for student engagement and success.
I knew that we needed to make a change, but I also knew that change can be challenging. I took a collaborative approach, working with my team to identify areas where we could make meaningful improvements.
One of the key changes was the integration of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). This innovative approach emphasizes interdisciplinary learning and experiential exploration. 
The results spoke for themselves; we saw consistently rising achievement levels, as evidenced by the reports we submitted to governing bodies. We also made significant strides in reducing proficiency gaps, a testament to the effectiveness of our revised program.
The most rewarding aspect of my time was the development a cohesive team. Over a six-year period, we built a culture of trust, respect, and shared purpose that enabled us to tackle even the most challenging initiatives.
One of the highlights was the planning and execution of field trips that connected science to the broader community. These experiences not only enriched our students' learning but also helped to build stronger relationships with the community.
When it came time for our accreditation renewal process, all of our hard work paid off. We were able to present a compelling case for the improvements, backed up by meticulous documentation and evidence of student success.
I feel an immense sense of pride in what we accomplished together. By embracing innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to student success, we were able to transform the science department into a model of excellence that continues to inspire and empower students to this day.

Program Manager (Head of Science)

American International School in Abu Dhabi

Science Educator

Magnolia ISD

Magnolia Independent School District (MISD) is a public school district located in Magnolia, Texas, USA. As department chair, 
-Mentored and coached a team of educators 
-Analyzed data to determine learning needs and implement educational training. 
-Researched latest educational technology and streamlined best practices in learning environment.

Science Department Chair

Aldine ISD

Aldine Independent School District (AISD) is a public school district in Harris County, Texas, USA, serving over 67,000 Pre-K through 12th-grade students. 
As science instructor: collaborated with cross-functional teams to employ data-driven instructional practices. Researched trending practices and educational technology.

Science Instructor

Educator ➡️ Freelancer | Content with EI | Learning AI

As an educational technology consultant and science educator with over 20 years of experience, I am passionate about transforming education through innovative solutions.

My mission is to bridge the gap between technology and education, creating inclusive and engaging learning experiences that prepare students for the challenges of the 21st century.

Throughout my career, I have consistently demonstrated my ability to drive meaningful change. As an educational technology consultant, I have partnered with organizations to develop customized solutions that enhance operational efficiency, improve teaching practices, and boost student engagement. From designing inclusive e-learning courses for K-12 educators to implementing cutting-edge STEM curricula, I have a proven track record of success in leveraging technology to support learning outcomes.

As a science educator, I have been dedicated to fostering a love of scientific discovery. By designing culturally responsive, inquiry-based curricula and leveraging innovative teaching strategies, I have empowered students from diverse backgrounds to excel in science. My commitment to continuous learning and professional development, as evidenced by my participation in prestigious programs like the Sally Ride Teachers Academy and the Phil Mickelson Teachers Program, has allowed me to stay at the forefront of science education.

One of my most transformative experiences was my tenure as the Head of the Science Department at the American International School in Abu Dhabi. Over the course of seven years, I led a collaborative effort to integrate the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) framework into our curriculum, emphasizing experiential exploration. The results were remarkable, with consistently rising achievement levels, reduced proficiency gaps, and a cohesive, collaborative team that continues to inspire to this day.

Whether I am working with educators, administrators, or business leaders, I bring a deep commitment to integrity, empathy, and student success to every project. I take the time to listen to the unique needs and challenges of each client, and then work tirelessly to develop customized solutions that deliver measurable results.

If you are looking for a partner who can help you harness the power of technology to transform education, I would be honored to discuss how I can support your goals. Together, we can create a brighter future for education, one innovative solution at a time.

Jessica Maddry, M.EdLT

When schools resort to banning, whether books, phones, or AI, it rarely reflects control. More often, it reveals the absence of it.

By criminalizing what’s commonplace in the real world, schools risk preparing students for compliance rather than life. 

In practice:
Policies rooted in restriction often reduce students’ choices to a binary: comply or face consequences.
Technology is prohibited in one form and mandated in another.
AI is discouraged in classrooms yet expected in careers.

Ultimately, growth is replaced with conditional belonging.

The result:
Power takes the form of punishment.
Good behavior becomes invisible.
Students learn that acceptance is temporary and that curiosity carries risk.

The research underscores this:
1. Censorship erodes critical thinking (Unite Against Book Bans, 2025).
2. Phone bans show no lasting benefit to learning or well-being (Digital Wellness Lab, 2024; Univ. of Birmingham, 2025).
3. Restrictive systems cultivate fear, not growth (APA, 2023).

The shift ahead:
Schools that move from “You cannot” to “Here’s how and when you can” foster agency over obedience.
Those that reward reflection, curiosity, and responsible use nurture thinkers rather than followers.

Hi, I’m Jessica, cofounder of BrightMinds AI  AI where we work beside educators to translate tech talk into classroom impact. 

#BrightMindsAI #TechWithPurpose #Implementation #EdTechEquity #DemystifyAI #TeacherFirstTech #ReimagineEducation #PurposeDriven #BeyondTheTool #EducationJustice

Co-Founder @ BrightMinds AI | Building Safe & Purposeful AI Integration in K–12 | Strategic Advisor to Schools & Districts | Ethical EdTech Strategist | PURPOSE Framework Architect

No alternative text description for this image

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐆𝐨 𝐓𝐨𝐨 𝐅𝐚𝐫, 𝐀𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐬
Over the past week, we explored how many school practices began with care but drifted into control. 

None of this happened overnight. 
Apathy rarely does.

It forms slowly when people feel over-managed, under-heard, and disconnected from the purpose of their work. 

𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲:
when autonomy decreases, engagement drops; when relevance fades, motivation declines; when students feel unseen, apathy fills the gap.

The good news is that apathy is not a character trait. It is a system signal.

𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤, 𝐈 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬:
𝙾𝚞𝚝 𝚆𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙾𝚕𝚍 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙸𝚗 𝚆𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙽𝚎𝚠 
𝙸𝚏 𝙸 𝚆𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝙱𝚞𝚒𝚕𝚍 𝚊 𝚂𝚌𝚑𝚘𝚘𝚕 𝙵𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝚂𝚌𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑…

A grounded, research-informed look at how we can rebuild motivation, belonging, and purpose one move at a time.
And yes, there are solutions!

Hi I am Jessica, cofounder of BrightMinds AI, where we help schools redesign systems with purpose and community at the center. 

 #BrightMindsAI #TechWithPurpose #ReimagineEducation #Implementation #EdTechEquity #TeacherFirstTech #BeyondTheTool #PurposeDriven #EducationJustice #DemystifyAI #EducationalLeaderhip

𝐈𝐟 𝐈 𝐖𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐚 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐒𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡… 𝐈’𝐝 𝐃𝐫𝐨𝐩 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐀𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐠 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭:
Purpose Over Productivity

𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞:
Learning that feels alive... grounded in relevance, agency, and meaning.

𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲:
Pacing guides dictate speed over understanding.
Scripted lessons replace teacher judgment.
Creativity gets cut for coverage.
Relevance rarely enters the room.
The one-liner that lands:

𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐒𝐚𝐲𝐬:
1️⃣ Meaning fuels motivation more than compliance ever will (Darling-Hammond et al., 2021).
2️⃣ Connecting learning to current events increases retention and critical thinking (Immordino-Yang, 2016).
3️⃣ Autonomy strengthens engagement (Deci & Ryan, 2020).

𝐒𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲:
Choose one lesson this week and start with a 30-second “Why Now?” 
One simple anchor from:
A headline.
A local issue.
A global trend.
No mysteries, just...
“Here’s how this connects to what we’re learning.”

𝐈𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 “𝐰𝐡𝐲” 𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰.

Hi I'm Jessica, cofounder of BrightMinds AI. We help schools redesign systems using research, community voice, and centering purpose.

#BrightMindsAI #TechWithPurpose #ReimagineEducation #Implementation #EdTechEquity #TeacherFirstTech #BeyondTheTool #PurposeDriven #EducationJustice #DemystifyAI #EducationalLeadership #Teachers

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐬 𝐆𝐨 𝐓𝐨𝐨 𝐅𝐚𝐫: 𝐙𝐞𝐫𝐨 𝐓𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞
Let’s say the quiet part out loud:
Zero tolerance didn’t make schools safer.

We’ve spent years calling silence “respect” and compliance “good behavior.”
Forgetting that children are not problems to manage.

Two comments from yesterday said it better than any policy report ever could:
“Attendance was never just being in the room. It was safety, trust, and whether a child felt held enough to return the next day.” Arafeh Karimi
and
“Systems should interpret, not interrogate. Optimize for well-being, not performative presence.” William McDonough,

Zero-tolerance culture does the opposite.
It strips away context.
It rewards silence.
It punishes humanity.

And once you see it, you see it everywhere:
Kids walking in perfect silent lines
“Voices off” in hallways and cafeterias
Automatic referrals for “defiance”
One-size-fits-all consequences
No questions. No nuance. No humanity.

It looks orderly.
But it feels carceral.
This is the logic of the school-to-prison pipeline:
Start with silence. End with compliance. Call it safety.

𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞 (Reimagined):
Boundaries should guide kids, not criminalize them.

𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (Post-AI):
Less zero tolerance.
More zero isolation.
More conversation.
More context.
More humanity.

Hi, I’m Jessica, co-founder of BrightMinds AI.
We help schools build systems that see people, not just behavior.

#WhenGoodIdeasGoTooFar #BrightMindsAI #EducationJustice #PurposeDriven #BeyondTheTool #EdTechEquity #TeacherFirstTech

𝐂𝐔𝐓. 𝐂𝐎𝐏𝐘. 𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐄. → 𝐑𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬
𝘈 𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘬𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘭𝘶𝘦𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘭 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘱.

In 2025, chronic absenteeism and student disconnection remain top national concerns. Research continues to show that belonging is the strongest predictor of attendance and engagement.

𝐂𝐔𝐓:
The all-or-nothing mindset shaped by compliance-based attendance that treats punctuality as proof of readiness.

𝐂𝐎𝐏𝐘:
Belonging-centered practices that recognize connection as a cognitive prerequisite.
Example:
 • Community-centered openings, such as morning warm-ups or brief check-ins that help students enter the day regulated and seen.

𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐄:
A readiness culture rooted in context, not judgment... noticing, asking, and supporting the real conditions students walk in with.
Example:
 • A 30-second readiness moment:
 “Did you eat? Are you okay today? What do you need to start strong?”

𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐇 𝐒𝐀𝐘𝐒:
1️⃣ Belonging improves attendance more than enforcement (National Academies, 2022).
2️⃣ Connection with adults increases engagement & regulation (Osher et al., 2020).
3️⃣ Removing practical barriers outperforms penalties (Attendance Works, 2023).
4️⃣ Schools with strong belonging show higher persistence (ElevateK12, 2024).

Hi I'm Jessica, cofounder of BrightMinds AI. We help schools redesign systems using research, community voice, and centering purpose.

#TechWithPurpose #ReimagineEducation #Implementation #EdTechEquity #TeacherFirstTech #BeyondTheTool #PurposeDriven #EducationJustice #DemystifyAI #EducationalLeadership #FutureOfEducation

𝐂𝐔𝐓. 𝐂𝐎𝐏𝐘. 𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐄. → 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐬
𝘈 𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘬𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘭𝘶𝘦𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘭 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘱.

In 2025, schools face rising concerns around digital safety, AI misuse, and student distraction. But research shows bans make students less prepared, not safer.

𝐂𝐔𝐓:
Reactionary technology bans that remove tools instead of teaching students how to navigate them.

𝐂𝐎𝐏𝐘:
Digital and AI literacy introduced early and nurtured with the same intentional, step-by-step care as learning to read.
 Example:
 • Structured, predictable routines that teach responsible use through guided practice.

𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐄:
A foundation of tech fluency rooted in safety, agency, and skill.
 Example:
 • Weekly digital literacy micro-lessons that build judgment, not fear.

𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐇 𝐒𝐀𝐘𝐒:
1️⃣ Teaching digital skills reduces unsafe behavior more effectively than restricting access (UNESCO, 2023).
2️⃣ Early, developmentally appropriate digital literacy increases long-term safety and agency (Cranston, 2024).
3️⃣ Students learn responsible use through practice, not prohibition (APA, 2024).
4️⃣ EdWeek identifies “tech overcorrection” as a major contradiction in 2025 schools.

Hi I'm Jessica, cofounder of BrightMinds AI. We help schools redesign systems using research, community voice, and centering purpose.

#TechWithPurpose #ReimagineEducation #Implementation #EdTechEquity
 #TeacherFirstTech #BeyondTheTool #PurposeDriven #EducationJustice
 #DemystifyAI #EducationalLeadership #FutureOfEducation

𝐀 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐭-𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐅𝐚𝐫 𝐖𝐞’𝐯𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐞
Over the last year, my work has taken me into countless conversations with educators, leaders, families, technologists, and communities... and this week, I found myself reflecting on just how much has changed.

When I look back at where this journey started... 
It wasn’t with AI.
It wasn’t with policy.
It wasn’t with strategy.

It started with a question:
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥?

A year ago, we began naming the patterns many felt but couldn’t articulate:
compliance culture, the erosion of curiosity, the widening tech divide, and the quiet truth that many systems were working exactly as designed.

We talked about belonging, equity, and voice.
We talked about safety, data, and the risk of letting efficiency outrun humanity.
We talked about what it means to teach in a world that's changing so abruptly.

And together, something shifted.
We stopped only naming what was broken.
We began designing what could be built.
𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭, 𝐈 𝐚𝐦 𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥.

𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥 for the educators who show up in these threads with honesty.
𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥 for the people asking the hard but necessary questions.
𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥 for the global colleagues who remind us this work is shared.
𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥 for the momentum that comes when people choose purpose over fear.

We may not have consensus on what comes next.
But we have something far more powerful:
A community of people who still believe learning can be joyful, meaningful, creative, and human.
And that’s enough to build from.

Here’s to the next chapter where we... 
𝐂𝐔𝐓 what no longer works,
𝐂𝐎𝐏𝐘 what honors people, and 
𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐄 what every child deserves.

Hi I’m Jessica, cofounder of BrightMinds AI. We help schools redesign systems using research, community voice, and centering purpose.

#TechWithPurpose #ReimagineEducation #TeacherFirstTech #EducationJustice #PurposeDriven #DemystifyAI #BrightMindsAI #FutureOfEducation #EducationalLeadership #Teachers #Educators

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐬 𝐆𝐨 𝐓𝐨𝐨 𝐅𝐚𝐫: 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐬
We began with the line, “When care turns into control, purpose walks out the door.” That tension isn’t confined to discipline policies; it shows up in tech bans, too.

Yesterday’s post on “reverse suspensions” sparked a thoughtful discussion about power, boundaries, and unintended outcomes.
As Jabez Ivan Joshiraj wrote,
“We keep tweaking broken systems instead of actually rethinking them.”
And Michelle Mullen, added,
“This approach raises important questions about school–family boundaries and the potential impact on student outcomes.”
Timothy Smith, EdD captured it perfectly,
“Any system designed for accountability must first preserve the trust and authority of the teacher in the classroom.”

Those same questions surface again as states move to ban student cell phones. So... why does this feel like “too far”?

Limiting distractions and protecting focus sounds good.
But when bans become blanket restrictions, we replace empowerment with exclusion. And in a world built on personalized options, declaring something simply right or wrong ignores context. It flattens the very individuality we claim to support.

As we discussed earlier, when systems shift from inviting connection to enforcing compliance, they cross the line.

𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞 (Reimagined):
Technology isn’t the enemy. Its purpose is to enhance access, voice, and agency... not erase them. When we ban instead of teach, we reinforce the inequities we claim to fight.

𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (Post-AI):
Design policies with students, not for them. Use evidence to find where devices distract and where they empower. Build flexibility and advocacy rather than blanket prohibition.

Hi, I’m Jessica, co-founder of BrightMinds AI. We help schools reimagine systems that serve the people inside the buildings.

#WhenGoodIdeasGoTooFar #BrightMindsAI #ReimagineEducation #TeacherFirstTech #TechWithPurpose #EducationJustice #PhoneBans

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐍𝐨𝐰
We are standing inside a system update.
Structures are shifting. Old assumptions are cracking. Agencies disappearing.

𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝, 𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨 𝐰𝐞 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭?
Not “How do we patch what is broken?”
Not “How do we copy the last 50 years?”
Not “How do we survive the next mandate?”
But what do we actually want school to be for the generation growing up right now?

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞, 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦-𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐝𝐨𝐦, 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞.

Learning does not stop when school ends… and I am watching that firsthand.
My dad, at 86, is exploring quantum computing simply because he can.
My mom, at 83, is still writing books and building worlds with her words.
A home full of lifelong learning taught me early that curiosity is the greatest inheritance we can give students, and it never expires.

🌟 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤-𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: 𝐂𝐔𝐓. 𝐂𝐎𝐏𝐘. 𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐄.
A blueprint for the schools we actually need next.

This series will explore:
✂️ CUT the practices we must finally release
📄 COPY what is worth carrying into the future
✨ CREATE the bold, purposeful designs that help learning feel alive again

Each day, we will reimagine a part of school we have been copy-pasting for decades, grounded in research, educator insight, and real solutions you can bring into your community.

If the old system is shaking, this is not a crisis. It is an opening.
Let’s build forward, not backward.

Hi, I am Jessica, cofounder of BrightMinds AI, where we translate tech talk into classroom impact because real transformation does not boot up, it shows up.

#BrightMindsAI #TechWithPurpose #ReimagineEducation #PurposeDriven
 #TeacherFirstTech #BeyondTheTool #EdTechEquity #DemystifyAI
 #EducationLeadership #FutureReadySchools #LifelongLearning

𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐧 — 𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝

Over the past week, I’ve been sitting with three pieces of writing that hit hard:
1️⃣ Substack essay showing how our lives still run on decades-old systems.
2️⃣ A viral analysis revealing our poverty line is based on a 1963 formula.
3️⃣ A history professor arguing that AI didn’t break college, it exposed cracks that have been widening since the Higher Education Act of 1965.

Three different domains.
One unmistakable pattern:

𝐖𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧’𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦 𝐢𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐬.

Education isn’t failing because it’s weak.
It’s failing because it hasn’t been updated.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐈𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫
🕜 Systems designed for 20th-century needs cannot produce 21st-century outcomes (UJ Journal of Management, 2023).
🕒 The gaps we see today are the result of structural stagnation, not sudden disruption.
🕤 Policy cycles move slower than technological reality, and AI has widened that.

𝐀𝐈 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐝, 𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲. 
It surfaced what has been outdated for generations.

𝐖𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦 𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫: 𝟏𝟗𝟕𝟎𝐬 𝐣𝐨𝐛𝐬, 𝟏𝟗𝟖𝟎𝐬 𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝟏𝟗𝟗𝟎𝐬 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐬.
Meanwhile, today’s students are entering a world shaped by AI, automation, global interdependence, and constant reinvention.

This isn’t about blame.
It’s about recognizing reality:
𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐩𝐬𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐞. 
𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐩𝐬𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐬.

So if the systems won’t update themselves, we have a choice:
𝐂𝐔𝐓 what no longer serves.
𝐂𝐎𝐏𝐘 what is human-centered and research-backed.
𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐄 the future every learner deserves.

Hi I'm Jessica, cofounder of BrightMinds AI, we help schools redesign systems using research, community voice, and centering purpose.

#TechWithPurpose #ReimagineEducation #DemystifyAI #PurposeDriven #BrightMindsAI #TechWithPurpose #ReimagineEducation #EducationReform #AIEducation #EducationFutures #SystemicChange #ResearchBacked #TeacherFirstTech #CloseTheGap #PurposeDriven #FutureReady

𝐈𝐟 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐬 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝, 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐄𝐥𝐬𝐞 𝐈𝐬 𝐑𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐝𝐞?
A continuation of the “Outdated Operating Systems” series...

Yesterday, we named a hard truth:
Education isn’t broken — it’s outdated.
And once you see that, something else becomes obvious:
Schools aren’t the only system running on expired code.

Over the last 48 hours, I dug into more research…
and the pattern is impossible to ignore.

𝐂𝐔𝐓
The assumption that our foundations are “current.”
They aren’t... and that’s not failure.
 It’s a timeline of misalignment.

𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐝, 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧’𝐭.
1️⃣ Early childhood frameworks = holistic development, co-regulation, and environment.
2️⃣ SEL frameworks = modern science on identity, agency, and emotional development.
3️⃣ UDL, MTSS, and trauma-informed models offer proactive, inclusive blueprints.
4️⃣ Culturally responsive pedagogy brings belonging, identity, and perspective back into instructional design.
5️⃣ Career pathways and digital citizenship frameworks reflect the realities of a digital, global world.

𝐂𝐎𝐏𝐘
The research-backed practices pointing us forward.
Learning sciences are clear:
 • Curiosity increases retention
 • Belonging strengthens motivation
 • Autonomy boosts engagement
 • Cognitive load must be managed
 • Relationships are instructional infrastructure
This is the modern foundation! 

𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐄
A coherent system where policy, practice, and developmental science finally match. A system where:
 • We measure thinking, meaning-making, collaboration, and digital wisdom
 • Time is structured around mastery 
 • Early childhood becomes the foundation, not the afterthought
 • K–12 aligns with a world shaped by AI, automation, and global awareness

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤
CUT what’s outdated.
COPY what is research-aligned and human-centered.
CREATE the future every learner deserves.

𝐀 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦 𝐧𝐨 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐜𝐤 𝐢𝐧 𝟏𝟗𝟔𝟓 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝟏𝟗𝟖𝟎𝐬 𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝟏𝟗𝟗𝟎𝐬 𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠… 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝.

Hi I'm Jessica, cofounder of BrightMinds AI. We help schools redesign systems using research, community voice, and centering purpose.

#TechWithPurpose #ReimagineEducation #EducationLeadership #EdPolicy #SystemsChange #LearningSciences #AIinEducation #DigitalCitizenship #WholeChild #BrightMindsAI #PurposeDriven #FutureOfEducation

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐬 𝐆𝐨 𝐓𝐨𝐨 𝐅𝐚𝐫: 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬
We’ve already explored reverse suspensions and tech bans... ideas born from care, accountability, and consistency that quietly evolved into control.
Now, let’s look at another: attendance.

Across the U.S., attendance tracking began as a way to ensure engagement and equitable funding. However, over time, it has shifted. Parents can face misdemeanor charges, fines of up to $2,500, or even jail time for “unexcused” absences, even when these absences are tied to illness, caregiving, or mental health needs.

It sounds like accountability.
But when we criminalize families for the very barriers schools should help remove, we lose sight of purpose.
And it doesn’t stop there...

Ever notice how the 100th Day of School is celebrated with crowns, crafts, and “100 Days Smarter” shirts? What most don’t realize is that in many states, the 100th day doubles as the official attendance reporting day, the one that triggers funding.

Each student in a seat means dollars in the budget.
So, behind the glitter and smiles lies a deeper truth: the system isn’t just celebrating learning; it’s celebrating compliance.

𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐚 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞. 
𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞.

Meanwhile, across the globe, millions of children still fight for access to education itself. UNESCO reports 250 million students remain out of school. Where some nations are fighting to get in, we’ve built systems that punish those who step out.

𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐧𝐨 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞:
We talk about whole-child learning, yet enforce policies that treat illness, anxiety, and instability as defiance.
We celebrate attendance while ignoring belonging.
We measure consistency while neglecting care.

When policy shifts from partnership to punishment, we strip authority from the people who know students best and hand it to systems that can’t see context.

𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞 (Reimagined):
Attendance should be a sign of care, not compliance.
A missed day is often a message. Our systems should help us listen, not label.

𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (Post-AI):
Empower teacher judgment.
Use data to start conversations, not cases.

The real question was never “𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮?”
The real question is “𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐨𝐤𝐚𝐲?”

Hi, I’m Jessica, co-founder of BrightMinds AI.
We help schools reimagine systems that serve the people inside the buildings.

#WhenGoodIdeasGoTooFar #BrightMindsAI #ReimagineEducation #EducationJustice #TechWithPurpose #TeacherFirstTech #PurposeDriven
#EdTechEquity #BeyondTheTool

𝐈𝐟 𝐈 𝐖𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐚 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐒𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡… 𝐈’𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐠 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭:
Development Over Discipline

𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞:
Calmer classrooms and better emotional regulation.

𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲:
Silence and stillness define order.
Transitions prioritize adult convenience.
Movement and social moments are restricted.

𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐒𝐚𝐲𝐬:
Movement improves attention and executive function (Diamond, 2020).
Social interaction supports regulation (Perry & Winfrey, 2021).
Restrictive environments elevate stress and reduce engagement (Shonkoff, 2016).

𝐒𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲:
Add a Movement Minute:
A slow walk, arm stretch, or shoulder roll.
One minute reduces stress and boosts attention.
A structured reset lowers stress and increases instructional time.

Hi I'm Jessica, cofounder of BrightMinds AI. We help schools redesign systems using research, community voice, and centering purpose.

#BrightMindsAI #TechWithPurpose #ReimagineEducation #Implementation #EdTechEquity #TeacherFirstTech #BeyondTheTool #PurposeDriven #EducationJustice #DemystifyAI #EducationalLeadership #Teachers

𝐈𝐟 𝐈 𝐖𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐚 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐒𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡… 𝐈’𝐝 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐲.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐠 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭:
Literacy Over Limitation

𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞:
Safer, more responsible digital behavior.

𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲:
Tech removed when issues arise.
Phone and AI bans used to manage distraction.
Skills expected without instruction.

𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐒𝐚𝐲𝐬:
1️⃣ Avoidance increases vulnerability to misinformation and unsafe behavior (Pangrazio, 2021).
2️⃣ Digital literacy grows through guided use, not avoidance (Livingstone et al., 2022).
3️⃣ Structured practice reduces online risk (UNICEF Global Insights, 2023).

𝐒𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲:
Plan a Simple Weekly Digital Skill:
How to pause. How to verify. How to set digital boundaries.
Small lessons build lifelong habits. Plus, no new curriculum required.

Hi I'm Jessica, cofounder of BrightMinds AI. We help schools redesign systems using research, community voice, and centering purpose.

#BrightMindsAI #TechWithPurpose #ReimagineEducation #Implementation #EdTechEquity #TeacherFirstTech #BeyondTheTool #PurposeDriven #EducationJustice #DemystifyAI #EducationalLeadership #Teachers

𝐂𝐔𝐓. 𝐂𝐎𝐏𝐘. 𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐄. → 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐙𝐞𝐫𝐨 𝐓𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐙𝐞𝐫𝐨 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
𝘈 𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘬𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘭𝘶𝘦𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘭 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘱.

In 2025, the mental health strain on students is rising, yet many schools still rely on punitive discipline systems proven to escalate harm rather than support regulation.

𝐂𝐔𝐓:
Zero-tolerance discipline policies that escalate minor behaviors into major consequences.

𝐂𝐎𝐏𝐘:
Context-driven responses that see behavior as communication, not defiance.
Example:
 • Quick, non-punitive chats that help students regulate before consequences are considered.

𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐄:
Micro-restorative practices that pause the nervous system and build trust.
Example:
 • A two-question pause:
 “What happened?”
 “What do you need?”

𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐇 𝐒𝐀𝐘𝐒:
1️⃣ Restorative practices reduce repeat behavior (Gregory & Fergus, 2017).
2️⃣ Zero tolerance increases inequities and stress (APA Task Force, 2020).
3️⃣ Co-regulation supports emotional stability and learning (Porges, 2021).
4️⃣ EdWeek names punitive discipline as a systemic crisis for 2025.

Hi I'm Jessica, cofounder of BrightMinds AI. We help schools redesign systems using research, community voice, and centering purpose.

#TechWithPurpose #ReimagineEducation #Implementation #EdTechEquity
 #TeacherFirstTech #BeyondTheTool #PurposeDriven #EducationJustice
 #DemystifyAI #EducationalLeadership #FutureOfEducation

𝐈𝐟 𝐈 𝐖𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐚 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐒𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡… 𝐈’𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐠 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭:
Mindset Over Metrics

𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞:
Better attendance through stronger connection.

𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲:
Attendance is tied to punctuality.
Readiness measured by quiet compliance.
Absences judged through narrow criteria.

𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐒𝐚𝐲𝐬:
Belonging drives attendance more than rules (National Academies, 2022).
Adult-student connection boosts engagement (Osher et al., 2020).
Removing barriers outperforms penalties (Attendance Works, 2023).

𝐒𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲:
Begin with a 30-second Readiness Check:
Did you eat? Are you okay today?
What do you need to start the day strong?
A tiny routine that strengthens belonging and attendance.

Hi I'm Jessica, cofounder of BrightMinds AI. We help schools redesign systems using research, community voice, and centering purpose.

#BrightMindsAI #TechWithPurpose #ReimagineEducation #Implementation #EdTechEquity #TeacherFirstTech #BeyondTheTool #PurposeDriven #EducationJustice #DemystifyAI #EducationalLeadership #Teachers

𝐈𝐟 𝐈 𝐖𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐚 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐒𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡… 𝐈’𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐙𝐞𝐫𝐨 𝐓𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐙𝐞𝐫𝐨 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐠 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭:
Context Over Consequences

𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞:
Fair discipline that builds trust, protects wellbeing, and reduces escalation.

𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲:
Minor behaviors escalate into majors through point-based discipline.
Three “small” incidents can result in suspension.
“Consistency” often replaces context, need, or developmental understanding.
Students rarely receive space for regulation, repair, or conversation.

𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐒𝐚𝐲𝐬:
1️⃣ Students who perceive unfair discipline have significantly higher risk of anxiety, depression, and hopelessness (CDC, 2024).
2️⃣ Escalation models (ex: 3 minors = major) increase stress activation, worsening behavior not reducing it (Center for the Developing Child, 2021).
3️⃣ Zero-tolerance and exclusionary discipline correlate with higher mental-health challenges, lower belonging, and greater disparities (NEPC, 2025).
4️⃣ Restorative and context-rich approaches improve emotional wellbeing, reduce violence, and strengthen relationships (Frontiers in Education, 2025).

𝐒𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲:
Say one regulating phrase:
“Let’s take a moment. You’re safe. We can figure this out.”
This resets the nervous system, for both the student and the adult, and prevents knee-jerk escalation.

𝐀 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐦 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐚 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐦 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧.

Hi I'm Jessica, cofounder of BrightMinds AI. We help schools redesign systems using research, community voice, and centering purpose.

#BrightMindsAI #TechWithPurpose #ReimagineEducation #Implementation #EdTechEquity #TeacherFirstTech #BeyondTheTool #PurposeDriven #EducationJustice #DemystifyAI #EducationalLeadership #Teachers

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐬 𝐆𝐨 𝐓𝐨𝐨 𝐅𝐚𝐫: 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
Some Mississippi districts are testing “reverse suspension,” where parents must attend class with their child instead of the child being suspended.

At first, it sounds like connection through accountability.
But when parents lose income, undergo background checks, or blur boundaries between home and school, the system shifts.

Research echoes this tension: in international contexts, teachers often lose authority when parental expectations and school policies collide...a dynamic that “undermines teachers’ authority and negatively impacts student achievement” (Li, 2024, p. 320)

When care turns into control, purpose walks out the door.
Hi, I’m Jessica, co-founder of BrightMinds AI. We help schools reimagine systems that serve the people inside the buildings.

#WhenGoodIdeasGoTooFar #BrightMindsAI #ReimagineEducation #EducationJustice #BeyondTheTool #TechWithPurpose

Honored to share this special edition of the EduVerse Newsletter, where I had the privilege of contributing alongside extraordinary educators and global leaders.

This issue, focused on sustainability and the future we’re preparing our learners to build, could not be more timely. In a world shaped by climate challenges, social inequities, and rapid technological change, the work of reimagining education isn’t optional.

I’m deeply grateful to the EduVerse team for the invitation to be part of this important conversation once again. The collective wisdom in this edition reflects a shared commitment to shaping learning environments rooted in purpose, equity, and possibility.

If you’re thinking about what it means to educate for tomorrow, this is a powerful place to start.

(And BIG thank you to every contributor whose insights push our field forward.)

🔥 HOT OFF THE PRESS! EDUVERSE NEWSLETTER ISSUE 24, OUR SPECIAL EDITION ON SUSTAINABILITY, IS HERE!

📬 Grab your free copy of the issue here: https://lnkd.in/gmfi37p4

What kind of future are we preparing our learners to build? Today, as climate challenges, social inequalities, and rapid transformations shape our world, that question feels more urgent than ever. And so, with hope and conviction, we introduce this special edition of the EduVerse Newsletter: Growing Tomorrow - Teaching for a Sustainable Future.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Marcela Villan, Special Guest Editor of this issue and the members of EduVerse Editorial Board. We are honored to feature insights from distinguished educators and global experts, including Dr. Le Dinh Bao Quoc, Ed.D., Angélica María Rojas Isaza, Bernard Combes, Prof. Dr. Benameur NEHAR, Yuri Barbour, Jessica Maddry, M.EdLT, Rosita Beidaghi, Luis Javier Pentón Herrera, Ph.D., Grazzia M Mendoza Ch. M.Ed. María Mendoza, Dr. IRVING MARTINEZ, Ph.D., Dr. Mohammad Haseen Ahmed, Alexa Rose Pettinari, Ashok Pandey, Annie Altamirano, Dr. Hayo Reinders, Anika Brain, Prof. Marina Falasca, Luís Filipe Fonseca, Marcela Cecilia Danowski, Dr. Namrata Sharma, and Sumeyye Kubra Dagli. Their contributions remind us that sustainability is not a lesson plan but a daily commitment to shaping learners who can transform the world.

This edition also features 2 exclusive interviews with Marcela Villan and Patricia Bergström, who challenges us to reimagine sustainability as a shared educational mindset rather than a standalone topic. And Luis Javier Pentón Herrera, Ph.D., and Grazzia M Mendoza Ch. M.Ed., who offer practical insights into teacher emotions, learner well-being, and the role of SEL in helping school communities flourish.

🚀 Explore the issue now and subscribe to receive the latest newsletters directly in your inbox!
#proed #eduverse #education #newsletter #issue24 #educationalnewsletter #teaching #sustainability #SustainableFuture #SustainableEducation

𝐂𝐔𝐓. 𝐂𝐎𝐏𝐘. 𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐄. → 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞
A continuation of the Outdated Operating Systems series...

We’ve already named two truths:
1️⃣ Education isn’t broken — it’s outdated.
2️⃣ The foundations beneath our system are running on expired code.

𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐝:
Even if we fix policy and redesign classrooms, our cultural operating system is still decades behind. And culture is the part no mandate can fix, but everyone feels.

𝐂𝐔𝐓
The cultural defaults that no longer serve:
• Behavior = character instead of context
• Standardization = legitimacy
• Teacher = content delivery + test proctor
• Busyness = effectiveness
𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐝𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐬. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲’𝐫𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐭𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬.

𝐂𝐎𝐏𝐘
What modern research tells us clearly:
• Psychological safety fuels deeper thinking
• Belonging boosts engagement and attendance
• Agency transforms compliance into curiosity
• Co-regulation improves readiness
• Identity-affirming spaces strengthen learning

𝐖𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞.  
𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐲𝐞𝐭.

𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐄
A culture that matches what we know in 2025:
• Students seen as humans, not data points
• Teachers valued as knowledge workers
• Emotional development = cognitive development
• Identity + belonging treated as instructional infrastructure
• AI used to expand human capacity, not replace judgment
• Leadership rooted in trust, not control

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞-𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞-𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠. 
𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐅𝐓
We’ve updated our tools.
We’ve updated our science.
We’ve updated our frameworks.
𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫.

CUT what no longer reflects how humans learn.
COPY what strengthens connection, regulation, and meaning-making.
CREATE a culture that allows every learner and every educator to thrive.

Hi I’m Jessica, cofounder of BrightMinds AI where we help schools redesign systems using research, community voice, and centering purpose.

#TechWithPurpose #ReimagineEducation #TeacherFirstTech #EducationJustice #FutureOfEducation #DemystifyAI #BrightMindsAI #PurposeDriven #SystemChange #LearningSciences #EducatorVoice #HumanCenteredDesign

taplio

The Battle

Claire Smizer

Jessica Maddry, M.EdLT

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance ScoreClaire Smizer's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreJessica Maddry, M.EdLT's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

taplio

The Battle

Claire Smizer

Jessica Maddry, M.EdLT

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Claire Smizer's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreJessica Maddry, M.EdLT's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreClaire Smizer's LinkedIn Performance