Teachers are increasingly taking on additional responsibilities. A LinkedIn poll by Education Week found that 59% of teachers identify mental health support as an added responsibility, reflecting the rising rates of student depression and anxiety. Additionally, 26% of teachers report heavy data tracking, while 12% handle tech issues due to the widespread use of digital devices in classrooms.

Teachers at a STEM-focused school used empathy interviews, a design thinking strategy, to help students connect across social groups after traditional community-building activities failed to ease tensions, according to Ella Miesner, a high-school science teacher. Miesner writes that after refining the approach to include strategic pairing, student-generated questions, and ongoing check-ins, educators reported stronger relationships, deeper student understanding and early signs of a more cohesive school community.

Dr. Melaney Sánchez, a National Board Certified Teacher and librarian at Mt. Harmony Elementary, emphasizes the importance of civic engagement in education as the US approaches its 250th anniversary. By integrating civic learning across subjects and partnering with organizations such as the National Park Service, Sánchez has helped students connect history to real-world experiences, including designing monuments to influential women and performing at the World War II Memorial.

Teachers are divided on the best classroom seating arrangements, with some favoring assigned seats to manage behavior and others supporting flexible seating to enhance student agency. However, some educators find flexible seating disruptive and note a lack of research supporting its effectiveness.

To address stagnant math performance, professional development should prioritize understanding how students learn, building teacher confidence and fostering collaboration, writes Ellen Hume-Howard, the executive director of the New Hampshire Learning Initiative, as she shares five must-haves for high-impact development. Hume-Howard emphasizes the importance of research-based professional learning that aligns with district priorities to create a student-centered math education system.

Federal legislation to regulate children's technology use is gaining momentum, with bipartisan proposals aiming to ban social media for those under 13 and restrict algorithm-driven content for users under 17. Recent congressional hearings have explored concerns about excessive screen time, privacy, and safety, while the proposed Kids Off Social Media Act would also require schools to restrict social media access on their networks.

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