Just Thinking

JUST THINKING… About Bringing out the Best in Educators and Learners with Ross Kimball

educators

As the educational landscape rapidly evolves—shaped by advances in communication technology, growing mental health awareness, and post-pandemic classroom dynamics—one key question persists: How can we better connect with and empower both educators and students in the classroom? The stakes are high: studies show that teacher-student relationships directly impact student motivation, academic success, and long-term…

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Education & EdTech
Just Thinking… About the Role of Critical Thinking in Cardiac Care With Dr. Minh Tran

As cardiovascular disease continues to rank as the leading cause of death globally, the importance of expert cardiac care has never been more evident. The American Heart Association reports that over 800,000 Americans experience a heart attack each year, and many rely on the fast, critical thinking of cardiac specialists to survive. In an…

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Education & EdTech
Just Thinking: How Visual Tools and AI Can Unlock Critical Thinking in Education

Education is at a crossroads. Artificial intelligence is transforming classrooms, but educators still lack tools to assess and nurture how students think. A 2023 UNESCO report warned that without careful implementation, AI could reinforce existing inequalities in education unless paired with strategies that build critical thinking and support equity-centered instruction. The stakes are high…

Read More
Education & EdTech
Just Thinking… From Classrooms to Communities, Active Engagement Drives Real Results

Across the country, school districts are searching for sustainable ways to foster equity, achievement, and connection in diverse communities. Amid rapid change in technology and teaching methods, one practice remains consistently vital: active engagement. Research indicates that parental involvement—a crucial component of meaningful engagement—is a significant predictor of student success. According to the National…

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Education & EdTech
JUST THINKING… About Artificial Intelligence vs. Human Intelligence with Dr. Michael Harvey

As artificial intelligence continues to evolve at lightning speed, the conversation is shifting from what AI can do to what it should do—and how it compares with, or complements, the uniquely human traits we bring to learning, work, and society. While schools grapple with AI’s integration into classrooms, some educators are asking a deeper question:…

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Articles Education Technology
Just Thinking… about Reimagining Education for the AI Era with the Human Intelligence Movement

As artificial intelligence reshapes education, work, and daily life, educators are grappling with how to prepare students for a future where human skills—not just knowledge—will be paramount. In fact, a growing number of reports highlight that employers increasingly value collaboration, communication, and emotional intelligence over memorized content. Amid this transformation, the Human Intelligence Movement…

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Education & EdTech
Just Thinking… About the Role of Marketing, Advocacy & Storytelling in Holistic Education

As schools increasingly prioritize holistic education, the conversation around whole-child development is gaining momentum. A national survey by the American Institutes for Research reveals that while a large majority of teachers support whole-child approaches, many still need additional guidance and resources to implement them effectively. This gap between belief and practice raises important questions about how best to…

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Latest

community
Bringing Community into the Transformation of K-12 Schools: The Impact of Mentors, Local Voices, and Student Entrepreneurs
July 24, 2025

As K-12 schools across the U.S. struggle to recover from the learning loss and emotional fallout of the pandemic, a deeper reckoning is underway—one that challenges the very foundation of who’s responsible for educating our children. Despite billions in federal relief, a third of U.S. students are not even reading at a basic level…

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9 Proven User-Generated Content Strategies That Actually Work
July 24, 2025

User-generated content has become the backbone of modern marketing—but most advice focuses on theory rather than execution. We asked nine marketing leaders who’ve built successful UGC programs to share exactly how they do it, what works, and what doesn’t. Here’s what we learned from their real-world experience. Start With Direct Customer Outreach Kyle Bernard, who…

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Blending Intuition and Metrics to Elevate Sterile Processing
Smarter Sterile Processing Starts with Data—Boosting Efficiency, Cutting Costs, and Improving Patient Care
July 24, 2025

In a healthcare ecosystem increasingly driven by data, sterile processing departments (SPDs) find themselves at a crossroads—balancing precision and pace, safety and speed. As hospitals look to reduce inefficiencies and protect patient safety, analytics tools are transforming sterile processing from an often overlooked backroom function into a vital, data-enhanced frontline of care. Research shows…

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college success
Freshman Year Survival Guide: How Overlooked High School Lessons Lead to College Success
July 24, 2025

Nobody warns you that college success isn’t just about brains — it’s about balance, too. In this refreshingly honest episode of Professional Quotient: Conversations that Build Equity, hosted by Jason Winningham, high school teacher Jacob Mutchler reunites with two of his former students, Lilly Salcedo and Oscar Davila, to reflect on what really mattered…

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Latest Just Thinking -Videos

educators
Education & EdTech
JUST THINKING… About Bringing out the Best in Educators and Learners with Ross Kimball
July 25, 2025

As the educational landscape rapidly evolves—shaped by advances in communication technology, growing mental health awareness, and post-pandemic classroom dynamics—one key question persists: How can we better connect with and empower both educators and students in the classroom? The stakes are high: studies show that teacher-student relationships directly impact student motivation, academic success, and long-term…

Read More
Just Thinking… About the Role of Critical Thinking in Cardiac Care With Dr. Minh Tran

As cardiovascular disease continues to rank as the leading cause of death globally, the importance of expert cardiac care has never been more evident. The American Heart Association reports that over 800,000 Americans experience a heart attack each year, and many rely on the fast, critical thinking of cardiac specialists to survive. In an…

Read More
Just Thinking: How Visual Tools and AI Can Unlock Critical Thinking in Education

Education is at a crossroads. Artificial intelligence is transforming classrooms, but educators still lack tools to assess and nurture how students think. A 2023 UNESCO report warned that without careful implementation, AI could reinforce existing inequalities in education unless paired with strategies that build critical thinking and support equity-centered instruction. The stakes are high…

Read More
Just Thinking… From Classrooms to Communities, Active Engagement Drives Real Results

Across the country, school districts are searching for sustainable ways to foster equity, achievement, and connection in diverse communities. Amid rapid change in technology and teaching methods, one practice remains consistently vital: active engagement. Research indicates that parental involvement—a crucial component of meaningful engagement—is a significant predictor of student success. According to the National…

Read More
Human Intelligence
Education & EdTech
JUST THINKING… About Artificial Intelligence vs. Human Intelligence with Dr. Michael Harvey
May 12, 2025

As artificial intelligence continues to evolve at lightning speed, the conversation is shifting from what AI can do to what it should do—and how it compares with, or complements, the uniquely human traits we bring to learning, work, and society. While schools grapple with AI’s integration into classrooms, some educators are asking a deeper question:…

Read More
Just Thinking… about Reimagining Education for the AI Era with the Human Intelligence Movement

As artificial intelligence reshapes education, work, and daily life, educators are grappling with how to prepare students for a future where human skills—not just knowledge—will be paramount. In fact, a growing number of reports highlight that employers increasingly value collaboration, communication, and emotional intelligence over memorized content. Amid this transformation, the Human Intelligence Movement…

Read More
Just Thinking… About the Role of Marketing, Advocacy & Storytelling in Holistic Education

As schools increasingly prioritize holistic education, the conversation around whole-child development is gaining momentum. A national survey by the American Institutes for Research reveals that while a large majority of teachers support whole-child approaches, many still need additional guidance and resources to implement them effectively. This gap between belief and practice raises important questions about how best to…

Read More
Just Thinking… About Why Self-Work Is the Foundation of Great Leadership

As conversations around workplace wellness, mental health, and burnout intensify across industries, many professionals are waking up to the reality that productivity and personal growth must go hand-in-hand. The rise of holistic health coaching, combined with a renewed focus on emotional intelligence in leadership, reflects a larger cultural shift: we’re not just working anymore—we’re…

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california's school districts
Education & EdTech
Funding Crisis Hits California’s Rural Schools: Advocates Call for Action Now!
March 21, 2025

As federal funding hangs in the balance, California’s rural school districts face a stark challenge on how to maintain essential services amid the uncertain future of the Secure Rural Schools Act. Originally established to offset declines in timber revenue from federal lands, the Act has become a lifeline for hundreds of districts. But after…

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The Future of Education Technology Relies on Responsible Technology Use

Education technology is currently at a critical standpoint. While schools are increasingly integrating digital tools into learning, there’s also a growing awareness highlighting the amount of screen time students are exposed to with a possible solution of removing technology from classrooms. Per a 2022 study by JAMA Network, the COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated the time…

Read More
Just Thinking… About Developing the Next Generation of Skilled Trade Professionals with Josh Nieves

The skilled trades industry is at a crossroads. With a growing labor shortage and an aging workforce, industries like construction and electrical work face urgent challenges in attracting and developing new talent. While the demand for skilled trade professionals is expected to continue rising, many young people remain unaware of the career opportunities available…

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JUST THINKING… about CCMR with a Focus on Military Readiness

The role of education in shaping military readiness is often overlooked, yet its impact on future generations is profound. As artificial intelligence reshapes how we think about career readiness, discussions on College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) highlight the pressing need for holistic preparation. While college and career pathways often dominate these conversations, military…

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Other Just Thinking
Just Thinking… About Why Self-Work Is the Foundation of Great Leadership
March 29, 2025

As conversations around workplace wellness, mental health, and burnout intensify across industries, many professionals are waking up to the reality that productivity and personal growth must go hand-in-hand. The rise of holistic health coaching, combined with a renewed focus on emotional intelligence in leadership, reflects a larger cultural shift: we’re not just working anymore—we’re…

Read More
Funding Crisis Hits California’s Rural Schools: Advocates Call for Action Now!
March 21, 2025

As federal funding hangs in the balance, California’s rural school districts face a stark challenge on how to maintain essential services amid the uncertain future of the Secure Rural Schools Act. Originally established to offset declines in timber revenue from federal lands, the Act has become a lifeline for hundreds of districts. But after…

Read More
The Future of Education Technology Relies on Responsible Technology Use
February 25, 2025

Education technology is currently at a critical standpoint. While schools are increasingly integrating digital tools into learning, there’s also a growing awareness highlighting the amount of screen time students are exposed to with a possible solution of removing technology from classrooms. Per a 2022 study by JAMA Network, the COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated the time…

Read More
Just Thinking… About Developing the Next Generation of Skilled Trade Professionals with Josh Nieves
February 19, 2025

The skilled trades industry is at a crossroads. With a growing labor shortage and an aging workforce, industries like construction and electrical work face urgent challenges in attracting and developing new talent. While the demand for skilled trade professionals is expected to continue rising, many young people remain unaware of the career opportunities available…

Read More
JUST THINKING… about CCMR with a Focus on Military Readiness
January 23, 2025

The role of education in shaping military readiness is often overlooked, yet its impact on future generations is profound. As artificial intelligence reshapes how we think about career readiness, discussions on College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) highlight the pressing need for holistic preparation. While college and career pathways often dominate these conversations, military…

Read More
Just Thinking… About Breaking Educator Isolation Through Trust and Collaboration
January 16, 2025

Education stands at a pivotal moment. Rapid societal changes and evolving student needs are challenging traditional school structures. Teachers are facing significant stress, with 44% of K–12 educators reporting burnout “often” or “always,” according to a Gallup survey. Feelings of isolation among educators further compound these challenges, emphasizing the need for more connected and…

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Just Thinking…How Networking, Advocacy and Innovation Fuels Success in Small School Districts
January 9, 2025

In today’s evolving educational landscape, small school districts face unique challenges, especially in rural areas. From limited staffing to navigating red tape, these districts must balance providing quality education with overcoming systemic barriers. With nearly 69% of California’s school districts serving fewer than 5,000 students, finding sustainable solutions for these challenges has become critical….

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Just Thinking… About Bridging the Gap Between Classrooms and Real-World Scientific Research
January 7, 2025

As advancements in technology reshape how we learn, innovate, and engage with scientific research, how can we cultivate a scientific mindset in education and beyond? Today’s discussion highlights a growing emphasis on curiosity-led learning as a catalyst for systemic change in education. Curiosity plays a crucial role in learner engagement, with research showing that…

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Just Thinking… About Perseverance, Overcoming Adversity, and the Power of Resilience in Leadership
December 16, 2024

Resilience isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a critical skill for navigating life’s toughest challenges. This week’s episode of Just Thinking dives into stories of individuals who turned adversity into strength, highlighting why personal narratives matter more than ever. The American Psychological Association states that resilience is a learned skill, not an innate trait, underscoring its…

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