by Natasha Carrizosa | Feb 24, 2026 | Classroom, Professional Development, Student Engagement, Students
At CoolSpeak, we believe engagement starts with connection. Before strategies, before outcomes, before the lesson plan even begins, there’s a feeling we create in the room to inspire creativity. For poet, educator, and spoken-word artist Natasha “natty” Carrizosa,...
by Ernesto Mejía | Jan 28, 2026 | Classroom, Family Engagement, Professional Development, Student Engagement
As a new year and semester begin, schools often take time to reflect on priorities, practices, and goals. Educators and leaders look for ways to strengthen engagement, improve outcomes, and better support students. Yet despite renewed intentions, many schools rely on...
by Chris Collins | Nov 18, 2025 | Professional Development, Programs
We know conference season isn’t just a travel week on the calendar. It can be one of the most important professional development moments of the year. Whether you’re in GEAR UP, TRIO, K–12 schools, or district leadership, the right conference can strengthen your team,...
by Ernesto Mejía | Oct 6, 2025 | Family Engagement, Parents, Professional Development, Programming
Family engagement is more than a box to check on the school calendar. It’s the foundation of trust, communication, and long-term student success. On a recent Facebook Live for Family Engagement Professionals, Ernesto Mejía discussed one of the most common events in...
by Carlos Ojeda Jr. | Sep 7, 2025 | Professional Development, Student Engagement, Student Leadership, Students, Uncategorized
Dear Educators, If I could share just one thing with every advisor, counselor, coach, mentor, and everyone who works with student leaders… it would be this: remind your student leaders that leadership is not a title, it’s a responsibility. The skills they’re...
by Ernesto Mejía | Aug 6, 2025 | Family Engagement, Parents, Professional Development
Because family engagement doesn’t begin with a flyer about Back-to-School Night. It begins with understanding. The first step is for our educators to start discussing real-life challenges that families face every day, especially those challenges that might not be...
