Building the Instructional Leader Ecosystem: Lessons from the Missouri Curriculum & Instruction Summit 2025

Dr. Mike Schmoker on Simplifying School Improvement: Curriculum, Instruction, & Literacy

Resources: Results Now 2.0 (Book) [https://www.amazon.com/Results-Now-Unprecedented-Improvements-Teaching/dp/1416603581] Focus (book) [https://www.ascd.org/books/focus-elevating-the-essentials-to-radically-improve-student-learning-2nd-edition?chapter=how-we-teach] Linda Darling-Hammond   [https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/person/linda-darling-hammond] Madeline Hunter Instructional Model [https://www.csun.edu/sites/default/files/Holle-Lesson-Planning.pdf] Robert Marzano [https://www.marzanoresources.com/robert-j-marzano.html] Sold a Story [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sold-a-story/id1649580473] Podcast Series (Emily Hanford)  If Literacy is a Priority, Why Do We Cling to the Wrong Practices? EduWeek Article [https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/opinion-if-literacy-is-a-priority-why-do-we-cling-to-the-wrong-practices/2025/03]

Jan Richardson on Literacy Leadership: Transforming Schools Through Reading Reform

Jan Richardson's Website [https://www.janrichardsonreading.com/] Literacy Tips [https://www.janrichardsonreading.com/literacy-tips] Literacy Footprints Classroom Kits  [https://www.literacyfootprints.com/collections/classroom-kits] Literacy Footprints Free Resources [https://www.literacyfootprints.com/pages/resource-center] RISE intervention program [https://www.janrichardsonreading.com/rise-resources]

Building the Instructional Leader Ecosystem: Lessons from the Missouri Curriculum & Instruction Summit 2025

Connect with Us:  StepUp Website [https://www.stepupconsultingservices.com/] MOCIS Website [https://sites.google.com/stepupconsultingservices.com/mocis/home] Join our Email List [https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/346460/81921048936711584/share]

Human-Centered AI: Supporting Educators with NeuLight

In this episode of TransformED with StepUp, we sit down with Jose Moreno—tech innovator and founder of NeuLight—to explore how AI and thoughtful design can transform the educator experience. Drawing from his work at Microsoft and Netflix, Jose brings a unique perspective to education, focusing on tools that are both effective and user-loved. Jose introduces IntelliTear, a groundbreaking system that simplifies multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), RTI, and PBIS by centralizing data and using AI to recommend tailored student interventions. We discuss its real-world impact, especially in rural districts and behavioral support efforts. This episode unpacks: * The power of AI to ease teacher workload and amplify student support * New Light’s commitment to data privacy and ethical AI * Upcoming academic integration features * Why tech in education must be built with educators—not just for them 🔗 Visit newlight.io [https://newlight.io] for demos, resources, and ways to connect with Jose.

Reimaging KC Schools: Startland Edu Leads the Way

In this inspiring episode of TransformED with StepUp, we sit down with Christina Hocker, Director of Education at Startland, to explore how design thinking and entrepreneurial mindsets can reinvigorate classrooms and empower both students and teachers. With two decades of experience and a passion for innovation, Christina shares her journey from building a culinary program that connected students to real-world experiences, to scaling educator support across Missouri and beyond. [https://www.startlandedu.org/] Together, we unpack Startland’s mission to reimagine what’s possible in education through: [https://www.startlandedu.org/] *Real-world learning that inspires student agency and engagement [https://www.startlandedu.org/] *Design thinking as a tool for problem-solving and empathy-building [https://www.startlandedu.org/] *The importance of coaching and support for educators adopting new approaches [https://www.startlandedu.org/] Whether you're looking to rethink instruction, bring energy back to your classroom, or support your team in transforming practice, this episode is full of practical insights and inspiration. [https://www.startlandedu.org/]