The Council of Chief State Schools Officers announced its four finalists for National Teacher of the Year. This article offers more background about the finalists -- Chris Dier, a high-school history teacher in Louisiana; Leila Kubesch, a middle-school Spanish and English-as-a-second-language teacher in Ohio; Tabatha Rosproy, a Kansas preschool teacher; and Linda Rost, a Montana high-school science teacher.

Research into how the brain works is informing a professional learning community organized by Kristin Simmers, who is an English-as-an-additional-language teacher in Thailand. In this article, Simmers writes about how the PLC works and how teachers are using the research, such as how making mistakes in math creates connections in the brain.

Plans for a strategic rollout of an e-learning program in Marshall Public Schools in Minnesota were thwarted by weather. Jeremy Williams, director of teaching and learning, shares how the district adjusted the initial plan to establish an e-learning program more quickly than anticipated because of episodes of inclement weather.

A high school in Detroit created a position of alumni success coordinator, who is charged with following up with students after graduation and offering support during their college years. The effort, which includes in-person visits, is seeks to address data showing that some students may enroll in college but fail to graduate.

Three educators at the Future of Education Technology Conference shared a professional development model that uses design thinking to offer a richer experience for teachers. During their presentation, they shared how their "CampTEACH, for Technology Empowering Academic Change" program helps educators integrate technology effectively into the classroom.

President Donald Trump announced from the Oval Office on Thursday a move to protect prayer in public schools, as part of a larger effort among nine federal agencies that rolls back a rule from the Obama administration. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos said the Education Department intends to issue a reminder for schools that prayer in schools is protected under the Constitution.

Teachers play a role in helping to create informed and engaged citizens who feel confident to participate in civil discourse, writes Elizabeth Schley, NBCT, in this blog post. Read on.

When schools have clearly defined "good" and "bad" teachers, more harm is done than good. Joshua Ray, NBCT, has ideas for how to combat this issue and make sure all teachers and students benefit. "Great teaching is not an individual accomplishment, but a collective experience that every teacher and student deserves," Ray writes in this blog post.

In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the US, Accomplished Teacher by SmartBrief will not publish Monday, Jan. 20. Publication will resume Tuesday, Jan. 21.