Author name: Dr. Brad Johnson

Let’s not tiptoe around it—AI isn’t coming. It’s already here. And it’s moving faster than most schools are ready for. While some leaders are just waking up to the possibilities of generative AI, others are panicking about its potential to upend everything from lesson planning to student assessment. But as someone who’s worked in education […]

When we talk about classroom management, we usually focus on defiance.But there’s another force that’s just as powerful — and often even more explosive: embarrassment. And here’s the thing:Kids respond to embarrassment very differently than adults do.If we don’t understand that, we risk misreading their reactions — and doing real damage to the trust we

We’re losing too many good kids to a system that doesn’t know them. Not because they’re broken. Not because they’re lazy, defiant, or disinterested.But because the very place that’s supposed to help them grow—often feels more like a cage than a community. A cage of rigid schedules and test prep.A cage of rules without relationship.A

As educators, we all go into this profession with the same goal: to make a difference. We want to inspire, empower, and help our students reach their full potential. But what happens when the classroom environment makes that feel impossible? Classroom management is the #1 challenge faced by teachers—and it’s no wonder. When your classroom

As leaders, one of our most powerful tools is the ability to engage in aspirational conversations with our teams. These aren’t just performance reviews or feedback sessions. They are opportunities to connect with staff on a deeper level—recognizing them not just as employees, but as people with unique strengths, challenges, and aspirations. When we value

As I squeezed in one last workout before heading to Dubai to speak on a topic close to my heart—helping all students find their brilliance—a familiar beat started playing in the gym: Pink Floyd’s Another Brick in the Wall. I’ve heard it countless times before, but today, the lyrics hit differently. The song’s message about

In recent years, the role of the school superintendent has evolved significantly. Today, many superintendents operate not only as Chief Educational Officer (CEO) but also in a capacity similar to Chief Executive Officer in the business world. As the heads of some of the largest organizations in their communities, superintendents are tasked with managing multi-million-dollar

  For years, differentiation has been championed as one of the most important instructional strategies in education. The idea is simple: If we tailor instruction to individual student needs, learning outcomes will improve. And while differentiation does have benefits, there’s something even more powerful—something that research shows has a greater impact on student success than

For years, I have said that relationships are the foundation of education. Yet, despite this, I still see a disproportionate focus on “student-centered” approaches in professional development, conferences, books, and educational discussions. While the intention is noble, this emphasis on student-centered learning is misguided because it ignores a fundamental truth: teaching and learning are not