Blog

Portrait of a Graduate 101 Part 1

Michigan Virtual

For decades, education systems have relied on familiar benchmarks but struggle to capture what young people actually need to navigate a rapidly changing world. This gap between what we measure and what truly matters has led many districts to a powerful organizing idea: the Portrait of a Graduate.

Just the essentials: What mentors of online students want and need from professional learning

Research indicates that online learners perform better when they have strong onsite mentor support. But mentors need support, too. Drawing on survey responses, this blog examines mentors’ current practices, key challenges, and unmet needs—and what those insights mean for designing more effective professional learning.

How Students Really Use AI (with Karle Delo from Michigan Virtual)

Michigan Virtual

In a recent episode of Make It Mindful: Insights for Global Learning, host Seth Fleischauer sits down with Karle Delo, AI Strategist at Michigan Virtual, to explore how students are actually using art

Self-Efficacy, Culture, and the Path to AI Adoption in Schools (with Dr. Nikolas McGehee)

Michigan Virtual

In this episode, Dr. Nikolas McGehee talks about how confidence, curiosity, and a supportive school environment influence the way educators approach AI. He shares what he is seeing in the research, wh

Every School Needs an AI Playbook

Jamey Fitzpatrick

Educators Must Move Beyond a Strong DefenseIn the arena of public education, artificial intelligence has rewritten the rules of teaching and learning almost overnight. Schools didn’t choose to start o

AI Can Fix What’s Broken in Schools—If We Do It Right (with Aaron Baughman from Michigan Virtual)

Michigan Virtual

Why Equity, Policy, and Practice Must Evolve TogetherIn this episode of Make It Mindful, host Seth Fleischauer sits down with Aaron Baughman, AI Strategist at Michigan Virtual, to discuss how artifici

The Human Side of Systems Change (Part 2) with Dr. Tovah Sheldon

Michigan Virtual

Why Real Innovation Starts With PeopleEducational change often takes a top-down approach—fast, structured, and impersonal. In this episode of Why Distance Learning?, Dr. Tovah Sheldon, School Design S

Everyone Has a Story

Danielle Peck

Learn how one Michigan educator helps students connect with each other and with the power of storytelling.Back when I began teaching high school in the early 2010s, it was easy to search the internet

Have You Considered AI in Your Classroom? A Khanmigo Pilot Story

Christa Green

In a two-phase pilot across Michigan schools, educators used Khanmigo, an AI-powered tutor and teaching assistant, to explore how AI might support teaching and learning. Their reflections surfaced both opportunities and challenges. The big takeaway? AI has potential, but only with intentional support.

Out of Order, Still Out of Reach: Variations in Pacing among World Language Students

Cuccolo & Green’s (2025) report highlighted the relationship between students’ assignment submission patterns and final course scores. Given that pacing has important implications for student performance, knowing what assignment submission patterns look like across schools with varying demographics could help prompt early identification and intervention. As such, this blog explores students’ assignment submission patterns based on school-level demographic information.

From Curiosity to Career: Exploring Possibilities with VR

Melissa Graeser

Explore how immersive VR simulations helped students step into real-world roles: from EMTs to chefs, all without leaving the classroom.

The AI Horizon: Case Studies in Michigan Education's Transformation (Part 1)

The AI Horizon: Case Studies in Michigan Education’s Transformation (Part 2)

Mastering Change: Coaching as the Lever for Transformation in Education

Tovah Sheldon

Originally published in the Spring 2025 issue of the MASB Leaderboard Magazine.IntroductionA few years ago, I came across Master of Change by Brad Stulberg, and it couldn’t have landed at a more fitti

Out of Order, Still Out of Reach: An Interview with a Researcher

In this blog, MVLRI researchers synthesize the key findings from two research studies about student assignment submission patterns in Michigan Virtual online courses.

What If These Iconic Movie Heroes Had a Leadership Coach?

Tovah Sheldon

Leadership in movies takes many forms; sometimes loud and inspiring, sometimes subtle and behind the scenes, but it's always evolving. Now, imagine how some iconic characters’ stories might have

Now What? Bringing It All Together—and Taking Your Next Step Toward Innovation

Tovah Sheldon

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2sP9oPIKS4TWC270dDE2Pa?si=07bd240fc29947f4If you’ve made it this far in the series, chances are something about Leadership Coaching for Innovation has sparked your cur

When, Where, and How Does Leadership Coaching for Innovation Work—and Why Is It More Effective Than Traditional PD?

Tovah Sheldon

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2sP9oPIKS4TWC270dDE2Pa?si=07bd240fc29947f4We’re all familiar with the typical rhythms of professional development: workshops, webinars, maybe a conference or two. Whil

Leadership Coaching for Innovation: Who It’s For and Finding the Right Coach

Tovah Sheldon

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2sP9oPIKS4TWC270dDE2Pa?si=07bd240fc29947f4When people hear the phrase "Leadership Coaching for Innovation," they often assume it’s just for superintendents o

What is Leadership Coaching for Innovation, and Why Now?

Tovah Sheldon