Professional Portfolio
Explore samples of content created for my clients, from keyword-optimized blog posts to customer case studies to comprehensive eBooks.
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Reducing Grade Inflation and Deflation with Data Insights: 3 Actions to Take Today
Grades play a critical role in a student’s academic and future success, yet rising instances of grade inflation (and sometimes deflation) can derail this path forward. In this article, I explore why grade in/deflation matters and three ways educators can use student achievement data more strategically to isolate and resolve potential misalignment. Read it here.
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Data: The Key to Impactful Teacher Coaching
Even with decades of research backing the impact of instructional coaching on learning outcomes, districts still need data to ensure their coaching efforts deliver such results. Learn what kind of data matters and how district leaders can leverage them, regardless of the coaching model implemented. Read here.
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Four Reasons Why You Need A Modern Professional Development Management System
Most education leaders think they have a professional development management system (PDM), only to find it fails to deliver on their needs when it comes to tracking teachers’ CEUs, identifying whose licenses up for renewal, broadcasting qualifying PD opportunities, and more. This article clarifies key reasons why a true PDM is a critical investment for…
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3 Reasons Why Districts Should Prioritize Accurate Data This Year
Bad data makes for bad decisions. More specifically, poor-quality data means leaders act without the right information and may inadvertently lead their communities down the wrong path. Learn why accurate, clear data is essential for district leaders this year especially. Read more.
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The 4 “Cs” Every K-12 Recruiter Needs To Keep Candidates Engaged
K-12 recruiters who keep candidates engaged throughout the application process ultimately secure top talent for their schools. This article outlines four “Cs” – communication, connection, creation, and clarity – to guide any recruiting expert in today’s competitive hiring environment. Read here.
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Not Your Corporate ROI… Defining and Measuring eROI
What is “educational return on investment” (eROI) and why does every K-12 superintendent need to understand it? This article explains the benefits and challenges of eROI, as well as practical steps for districts to leverage this metric to make smarter financial and instructional decisions. Read here.
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6 Things to Consider Before Purchasing That K-12 Digital Recruiting Solution
This article offers district and school administrators guidelines for choosing the best digital recruitment platform for their hiring needs, from flexible configurations to thoughtful, expect vendor partners. Read it here.
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Hard Data for Hard Decisions: 3 Strategies To Understand & Maximize Your Return On Instruction
Measuring the “return on instruction” for educational programs is easier said than done, yet it is all the more critical for district leaders to understand this data. Read the article here to learn three practices essential for districts to quantify the educational ROI of any program and make smarter decisions with their budgets.
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Building Momentum: What We Learned From 16,000+ Substitutes To Make the Job Even Better
I analyze this year’s Red Rover’s Substitute Survey results, the largest survey of guest teachers yet. Read the article here to discover why subs keep coming back each year, as well as what opportunities districts can leverage to improve their experiences.
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The State of K–12 Education Federal Funding: What Leaders Need to Know Now to Prepare for the Future
As we approach the 2025-26 school year, K-12 education funding is at a critical tipping point. This article breaks down what educators need to know about federal funding changes (at the time of its writing) and offers essential practices that district leaders need to responsibly manage their organization’s limited funds, regardless of what comes next.…
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AI and Workforce Management: Strategies To Operationalize Your Day-to-Day
This article walks through practical ways for HR and school district leaders to leverage AI for efficiency without sacrificing efficacy. Read More
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The Role of Coaching & Mentorship in Teacher Retention (and Recruitment)
In this article, I point out ways that coaching and mentorship — well-known strategies for boosting teacher retention — can also drive teacher recruitment efforts. Read More
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K-12 Absence Management: The #1 Trend To Watch In 2024-2025
I offer HR leaders insights into four trends emerging in K-12 absence management, as well as practical strategies for teams to engage their teaching staff as the school year wraps up. Read More
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Quality Candidates are Everywhere: How a District Taps Technology to Reach Hires in The Community and Beyond
In this article, I interview Jamie West, Instructional Recruitment Partner at Lake County Schools in Florida, who emphasizes the importance of “shortening the [hiring] path” to fill teaching positions and the value of interoperability across hiring and absence management solutions. Read More
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Why Do You Sub? Inspiring Stories and Strategies from Guest Teachers Across the U.S.
In this article, I highlight the top reasons why Red Rover guest teachers return again and again to the classroom, as well as their tips for those considering substitute teaching. Read the full story here.
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The Role of Coaching & Mentorship in Teacher Retention (and Recruitment)
Teacher coaching and mentorship programs contribute not only to higher retention rates in districts, but also to stronger recruitment efforts. Read the article here to learn how.
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Finding Balance: How a District Uses Low- and High-Tech Strategies for Teacher Recruiting & Retention
In this article, I interview Mollie Dunn, Coordinator of Recruitment and Retention at St. Lucie Public Schools in Florida, about today’s most pressing challenges with teacher recruitment and retention today and how her district creatively employs engagement strategies to maintain a 97% educator retention rate.
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Case Study: How Metro Nashville Public Schools Expands Its Family Engagement Reach With ParentPowered
Discover how Metro Nashville Public Schools expanded their impact across the families of more than 80,000 students, with the help of ParentPowered Trauma-Informed. Read More
Maren Madalyn, Education Freelance Writer & Strategist 