In this brand new year, educators across the country are pausing to consider what lies ahead. We asked members of the ASCD+ISTE Connect community platform and our social media (X and LinkedIn) followers what they aspire to achieve in their classrooms, schools, and professional lives in the coming year. Their thoughtful responses reveal the depth of their commitment to growth and student success. Here's what they had to say.
Creating Space for Connection
I intend to continue my practice of “Principal Read Alouds.” This is my opportunity to visit classrooms in an intentional way to build belonging and connect with both students and teachers. I want to give the teachers I serve an opportunity to get a break. This is accomplished by having teachers sign up for a time for me to cover class with read aloud time for students. I enjoy the intentional time to read to our kids and give teachers a much-needed break. It's my way to create belonging and build relationships in my school community.
—Sean Gaillard, Principal (via Connect)
My resolution for 2025 is to strengthen the home-school connection for my students. While we send weekly updates, I want to create more meaningful two-way communication channels with families. I'm planning to implement monthly virtual "coffee chats" where parents can share their insights and concerns in a casual setting. I also want to develop a digital portfolio system that allows parents to see their child's progress in real-time, rather than just at report card time. Sometimes the smallest victories are the most meaningful, and I want to make sure families don't miss those moments of growth.
—Marcus Thompson, Special Education Teacher, Parkview Elementary School, Atlanta, GA
Breaking Down Classroom Walls
For 2025, I'm committed to building stronger cross-curricular connections in my science classes. After 12 years of teaching, I've noticed that students grasp scientific concepts more deeply when they can see how they connect to other subjects. I plan to collaborate with our English department to incorporate scientific literature and with our math department to emphasize data analysis skills. I also want to create a classroom environment where students feel comfortable making mistakes and viewing them as learning opportunities rather than failures.
—Sarah Chen, Science Department Chair, Hillcrest High School, Dallas, TX
My New Year's goal is to enhance differentiation strategies. Many of the K-5 classes I teach in the computer lab consist of students with a variety of learning needs, including those with 504 plans and IEPs. To address the diverse needs, I plan to incorporate a variety of differentiated activities and projects. I will create opportunities for collaborative work and develop "project expectations" checklists to support student success.
—Renee Sudol, Instructional Technology Teacher and Coach (via Connect)
Meeting Students Where They Are
A New Year’s resolution I have is to find ways to connect to my students in a meaningful way. I truly want them to be successful, but first I need to get them to buy in to the idea that if they do the work, great things will come to them.
—Megan Keane, ESOL Teacher, Holmes Middle School, Alexandria, VA
I want to be more intentional about knowing my students. So I will start with a new year, new mindset! I will focus on developing a growth mindset with my students from January to May, checking and reflecting each month to see if we hit our goals. When it comes to instruction, I will intensify my Student CHOICE and VOICE strategy to create student ownership of learning. For myself as an educator, I will make more time for meditation and reflection through daily journaling.
—Juvy Mojares, Teacher (via Connect)
First, I'd like to stay more on top of my grading! But more importantly, I want to assign more meaningful work that connects with students now that we've got the fundamentals down. I resolve to have more interactive and project-based assignments where the student's creativity can shine. You know, all that Bloom's Taxonomy higher level stuff. I'm fairly decent with classroom management, but I'd like to take a deeper dive into de-escalation techniques, which is especially important at our school where we serve a nearly 100 percent at-risk population.
—Daniel DiFranco, English Teacher/Music Director, Multicultural Academy Charter School, Philadelphia, PA
Leading with Purpose
My 2025 educational goal is to be more targeted with my newsletters and PD sessions as a tech coach with my teachers.
—Stevie Frank, Technology Coach (via Connect)
I will prioritize the individual needs of students by fostering inclusive, engaging, and supportive learning environments. My focus will be on encouraging critical thinking, creativity, and character building to prepare students for real-world challenges.
—ASCD Europe, @AscdEurope (via X)
Finding Balance
I don’t really make resolutions, but I do pick focus words for the new year. My word for next year is “balance” because I need to focus on a better work-life balance. Everything at school keeps getting more and more overwhelming with all of the new curriculum and basals. I spent a good part of the fall eating dinner each night in front of my computer preparing for the next day. Never in my 30+ years of teaching have I ever had to do that. So, for 2025, I’m going to try to balance that work-life duality better and practice giving myself grace. I will do the best I can in every situation, and my best is good enough.
—Karen Perigard, 5th Grade Teacher, Oak View Elementary School, Fairfax, VA
ASCD+ISTE Connect
Connect is a digital community forum where educators can meet and collaborate, featuring both member-exclusive spaces and open discussions to tap into a vast network of education changemakers.
