Punita Dani Thurman’s Post

This year I had the honor of serving as a Georgia School Boards Association Youth Advisory Member, partaking on the student panel at the annual Georgia School Board Conference. Throughout my Youth Advisory Council journey, I connected with students across Georgia, uncovering disparities in resources and school cultures while discussing pressing topics like school safety, mental health, and leadership. These conversations deepened my understanding of how education can better prepare students for real world challenges. My Key takeaways: 🌟 Media Literacy & Censorship: Access to inclusive and diverse resources is essential for equipping students with the tools to engage thoughtfully with different perspectives. This skill is vital for helping students critically evaluate media, form independent opinions, and make informed decisions whether voting or navigating complex societal issues. 🌟 Youth Leadership: This is not just about giving students a seat at the table it’s about embedding civic engagement into their daily lives. By supporting the creation of youth councils, youth commissions, and collaborative teams, we can empower young leaders to drive meaningful change while building lasting connections. I’m incredibly grateful for the mentors and peers who made this journey so impactful. This experience has proven to me that my voice and make an impact and broadened my passion for advocating for meaningful change in education. #GSBA #SchoolBoard

Looking for inspiration around elevating student voices in the new year? This Learning Policy Institute report offers insights from two school districts that are making lasting impacts by prioritizing relationships. The report highlights key activities, processes, and structures that support relationship-centered schools. At the University of Washington Center for Educational Leadership, we believe that students are the experts on their school experiences and relationship-building is key to improving school climates. 💡 Explore the report: https://hubs.ly/Q031mJgK0

With all the crazy conflict going on, it's so refreshing to see bipartisan educational bills passed. This really looks like a step in the right direction where research can be used to improve educational practice and educational products. For everyone in educational tech or leadership, this is worth a look. #edtech #learningengineering #educationalresearch https://lnkd.in/evaQGjqP

It must also encompass how adults engage with one another, as this interaction is part of the educational experience for students, shaping their understanding of leadership, justice, and inclusion. https://lnkd.in/eYmJcXpk

Concorde Education is deeply committed to the education of our next generation, not just for our business, but because today's students are tomorrow's leaders - we cannot afford to mess this up!!! We strive to ensure that today's students possess the skills necessary to shoulder this significant responsibility. However, the question remains: are they truly being equipped with the skills they need to lead and be self-sufficient? Do your students or children understand the importance of a 401(k)? Do they comprehend the benefits and pitfalls of debt? Are they acquiring job marketable skills? #Governmentleaders and #parents alike are promoting #pathwaystocareer, emphasizing the importance of education in achieving these goals. Despite these efforts, there appears to be a gap in how effectively these pathways are being integrated into our core school curriculum. Do you believe that our current educational system is preparing students effectively for the challenges and opportunities of the future? Or is there more we should be doing to ensure they develop the critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills essential for success? I invite you to share your thoughts on this important topic. What changes or additions would you suggest to our educational system to better prepare students for real-world success? #Education #Leadership #FutureLeaders #SkillsForSuccess #EducationReform NYC Department of Education Lennox School District New York Edge Good Shepherd Services Los Angeles Unified School District Beyond The Bell LAUSD Sacramento Chinese Community Service Center (The Center) NYC Office of the Mayor Dr. Robin Davson Shayla C. KIPP Schools Tenisha Allen Tamla Frater Achievement First David Moura Vernon Thompson Cleveland Metropolitan School District

Have you seen the new “Building Better Schools: A Proven Blueprint for Success” report? The report, from NewSchools, offers a wealth of compelling insights into the Oakland-based educational philanthropy organization’s four foundational strategies for its more than 120 public schools around the country. Here at Accelerate Institute, we applaud NewSchools for its core philosophies, which very much align with our own approach to K-12 public school education, as evidenced through our Accelerate Framework and Transformational Leadership Building Blocks foundational tools that empower school leaders to serve effectively in their roles. https://lnkd.in/gDcT4J9x

Courtesy of National Association of Independent Schools In The New Issue (Winter) What is sustainability? There are many dimensions to it, and in the latest issue of Independent School magazine, we explore it by way of a higher-level question: How can schools foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation while balancing the demands of the current market and the around-the-corner trends? From the financial to the philosophical, the Winter 2025 issue examines multiple aspects of school sustainability. Go deeper into the articles:  The educational experience: As schools work to navigate the tension between tradition and innovation during a period of profound transition, leaders must think differently about the future of teaching and learning to design an updated education model and an experience that is relevant—and regenerative. Value and affordability: What families pay for an independent school education is less than what it costs to produce it. But they don’t realize this. “School leaders and trustees need more nuanced insights into what motivates families to enroll in our schools and what drives them to explore other options.” Tuition resets: Lowering tuition to attract more students and increase overall revenue can help school leaders balance sustainability with affordability. But to ensure that a reset is successful, they must ask essential questions to truly understand the challenge and commit to careful planning, implementation, and communication. Mergers: As more schools face enrollment and related sustainability challenges, joining forces––rather than shuttering––may be a more viable option. And while there’s no playbook for school mergers, there are hard-earned lessons to heed and guidelines to help keep the process on track.   Campus planning: Developing a school master plan is a unique moment in time, yet too often, a master plan is just about where to put the next building. But asking fundamental questions that link educational strategies to the design of educational spaces should be a critical part of the planning process. ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: research insights about supporting trans and nonbinary students; an ambidextrous leadership approach; what students are saying about their social and emotional health; what schools need to teach in the age of AI; what heads want their board chairs to understand; a conversation about the benefits of a co-leadership model; a case study in grading for equity; and more. https://lnkd.in/eiqvV98X

Higher education has a trust problem. It’s been building for a while now. In the past ten years, the share of Americans who are confident in #highereducation has dropped by 21%, from 57% to 36%. But the good news is that technology and #dataleaders and professionals can help address the great challenge of restoring trust in our sector. The 2025 EDUCAUSE Top 10 emphasizes how to rebuild trust in three ways: ✳️ Building the competent institution ✳️ Fostering the caring institution ✳️ Leveraging the fulcrum of leadership Get #QuickTakes on how you can make progress on the Top 10 and examples of how your peers are tackling the Top 10 at their institutions. Explore the Top 10: https://ow.ly/970f50TVlvX

Empowering community college leadership is vital for educational progress. Check out this insightful article highlighting the essential role of community college presidents in meeting the evolving needs of students and society – https://lnkd.in/dzwwbp5S #HigherEducation #CommunityCollege #LeadershipDevelopment

Empowering community college leadership is vital for educational progress. Check out this insightful article highlighting the essential role of community college presidents in meeting the evolving needs of students and society – https://lnkd.in/dzwwbp5S #HigherEducation #CommunityCollege #LeadershipDevelopment