Microsoft is proud to welcome more than 43,000 Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE) Experts and 900 Microsoft Showcase Schools into our global education empowerment community for the 2025–2026 academic year. The MIE Experts 2025-2026 cohort and this year’s Showcase Schools distinguish themselves through their visionary leadership, embracing AI transformation and fostering AI literacy to reimagine learning.

Across education institutions, educators, and students, AI use is surging. MIE Experts and Showcase Schools play a crucial role in their communities by integrating Microsoft technologies and championing learning. With 70% of skills used in most jobs expected to change by 2030, these educators and schools are at the forefront of preparing students for the future.¹ We’re excited to work alongside these changemakers, and we anticipate a year filled with meaningful connections, shared learning experiences, and transformative impact.

Championed by Microsoft Elevate

The MIE Expert and Showcase School programs are set to benefit from a deeper commitment to people-centered AI innovation through Microsoft Elevate, Microsoft’s initiative to empower educators, nonprofit organizations, and workforce partners with advanced AI capabilities. By connecting the MIE Expert and Showcase School programs to Microsoft Elevate, we are renewing our focus on educators to ensure that individuals remain at the center of progress, while fostering community engagement and driving meaningful impact across global learning communities.

During the launch of Microsoft Elevate, MIE Expert Eleanor Jenkins expressed her enthusiasm about the transformative potential of AI in education:

The future of what students are going to be working in, the careers they’re going to have, don’t exist at the moment…we have to define the way the world works and the way the world is going to change.

Eleanor Jenkins, Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert

The benefits of joining these communities are substantial. Educators gain access to exclusive resources, leadership opportunities, and recognition for their impact. Through Microsoft Elevate, participants also receive support in using AI to enhance teaching and learning. Whether through coaching, presenting at conferences, or collaborating across the world, these educators are empowered to lead change, inspire others, and shape the future of education. Together, they form a vibrant community committed to equity, innovation, and lifelong learning.

MIE Experts 2025-2026

MIE Experts are visionary educators who utilize Microsoft tools to create inclusive, student-centered learning environments. Participation begins with completing professional learning paths which equip educators with future-ready skills and tools to personalize learning. They engage actively in Microsoft technology integration, build connections through both global and local networks, and inspire innovation within their schools and communities. We honor their passion for growth and proudly welcome the 2025–2026 MIE Experts!

MIE Fellows 2025-2026

MIE Fellows are distinguished leaders within the MIE Expert and Showcase School community, personally nominated by Microsoft team members. They have demonstrated excellence in the MIE Expert or Showcase School program—or both—through coaching, mentoring, sharing their knowledge broadly at conferences, and providing rich professional learning to other educators. As part of this program, MIE Fellows take on leadership roles within their region and work closely with the Microsoft Elevate team to offer support and growth within the MIE Expert community.

Microsoft Showcase Schools 2025-2026

Microsoft Showcase Schools serve as trailblazers in educational transformation, leading the way in the integration of AI and future-ready skills. These schools use Microsoft technology and AI solutions to boost student engagement, foster collaboration, and prepare learners for the evolving demands of the modern world. As models of innovation and leadership, they demonstrate how purposeful use of technology can empower students to thrive in an increasingly digital society.

How to join: Become an MIE Expert

If you’re interested in joining this vibrant community, get started today:

• Learn more about the MIE Expert community.
• Complete the AI for Educators learning path through Microsoft Learn.
• Complete the Reading Coach learning module through Microsoft Learn.

How to join: Microsoft Showcase School Program

If you’re a school leader ready to lead transformation, here’s how to get started:

• Learn more about the Microsoft Showcase School program.
• Review the Microsoft Showcase School criteria.
• View the Microsoft Showcase School rubric.

All schools begin on the Incubator path and can apply to become a Showcase School once they meet the criteria.

Elevate education together

As we welcome the 2025–2026 cohort of MIE Experts, MIE Fellows, and Showcase Schools, we celebrate a shared vision: to elevate education through innovation, collaboration, and purpose. These educators and institutions are not just adopting technology—they’re leading transformation, empowering students, and redefining what’s possible in learning. Together, we’re building a global community that uplifts every learner and educator, driving forward a future where education is inclusive, impactful, and inspired.

Stay connected with us

• Join the Microsoft Learn Educator Center.
• Follow Microsoft AI Skills on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
• Follow Microsoft Education on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, Pinterest, and YouTube.
• Bookmark the Microsoft Education Blog and visit frequently for news that inspires and resources that support learning.

¹ AI and the Global Economy: Unlocking Growth and Reshaping Work, LinkedIn, 2025

The post Celebrating the 2025–2026 MIE Experts and Showcase Schools appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

Enhance classroom instruction and student engagement

Copilot availability for students 13 and older

Copilot Chat and Microsoft 365 Copilot availability for students aged 13 and older is coming this summer with enterprise data protection and IT controls. A study from Microsoft Research found that most students demonstrated remarkable curiosity when using AI, asking sophisticated questions that extended beyond their task at hand and led to deeper understanding.

Feedback from schools in our preview emphasized the value of training, clear guidelines, and space for students and educators to learn together. As we move forward, we’re focused on providing tools and support that help schools use AI in ways that work best for their communities. We’re optimistic about the opportunities that lie ahead to help students advance their learning and build skills to prepare for success in their future.

Empowering everyone with agents in Copilot Chat

Specialized AI assistants, known as agents, expand the capabilities of generative AI by allowing customization and the ability to work for you or alongside you. Agents can be tailored to support you with expertise in instructional design, unique student preferences, institutional data analysis, and many other tasks. You can build an agent using natural language and additional configuration in Copilot Chat or get started with an agent template.

With Copilot Chat, agents can be accessed and managed directly in the chat and enterprise data protection helps keep your experience safe and secure. Whether you’re building a custom agent or taking advantage of agent templates, there are numerous ways that agents in Copilot Chat can make a positive impact on your day-to-day activities. Get started and discover how agents in Copilot Chat can enhance the way you learn and teach.

New educator features in Reading Coach

Reading Coach, a Microsoft Learning Accelerator, now includes features designed to support educators in guiding and monitoring student reading practice. Educators can create and share custom reading practice, set time-based reading goals, and select passages from the built-in ReadWorks library or allow students to choose from AI-generated stories.

Here’s what’s new:

• Create and share reading experiences – Share your own passages or choose from the robust ReadWorks library to bring high-quality content designed to improve effectiveness and student achievement to your students. They’ll also have the option to explore AI-generated stories that match their interests.
• Encourage independent practice – Encourage students to increase their reading endurance by setting personalized, time-based goals.
• Simplify access – Students can join practice sessions using a link or code, depending on what works best for your classroom.
• Stay connected to progress – Teacher mode offers visibility into how students are engaging with each practice and how their reading is developing over time.
• Use data to guide support – Track time spent reading, passage completion, correct words per minute, and reading accuracy to help inform instruction.

These features are available to educators and students using school-issued Microsoft credentials. Explore the new features and get started today.

Professional learning opportunities

A collection of AI literacy resources

Educators across the world are using AI to streamline lesson planning, personalize instruction, and enhance accessibility. There’s a strong opportunity to boost understanding and use AI more intentionally through professional learning and thoughtful practices. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to refine your AI capabilities, we have free training and resources to help you build AI skills and integrate AI in meaningful and responsible ways.

These resources will help you build confidence in using AI and discover innovative ways to support student learning and save time. Continue growing your expertise by experimenting with AI tools and collaborating with peers to share best practices. Explore our collection of AI skilling resources for you and your students.

Equipping learners with essential AI skills

Over the past few years, companies around the world have seen a paradigm shift in how individuals consume content and attain new skills—changes that will only continue to accelerate and evolve. This shift highlights the need for continuous adaptation to emerging technologies and collaborative efforts to bridge the AI skills gap. Microsoft and Pearson, the world’s lifelong learning company, announced a strategic collaboration to help organizations realize the full value of AI through reskilling.

The partnership extends the efforts of both Microsoft and Pearson to provide AI skilling to people across the globe. Whether you, your team, or your students are just getting started or looking to refine your capabilities, discover learning opportunities to support your journey.

Possibilities for innovation

Become an MIE Expert or Showcase School

The opportunity of AI is here, empowering educators and institutions to drive innovation and redefine possibilities in education. We recognize and support leading educators and schools through the Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE) Experts and Showcase Schools programs. If you’re leading education innovation for your students, this is your opportunity!

Nominations for the 2025-2026 academic year are open until July 31, 2025. Learn how you can empower your entire community—students, educators, and staff—to achieve better outcomes today and prepare for the opportunities of tomorrow.

Defend against cyberthreats with student SOCs

The Microsoft Student SOC (Security Operations Center) initiative aims to bridge the significant skills gap in the cybersecurity sector and education. This initiative includes the Microsoft Student SOC Toolkit and implementation guide as free resources, along with training and certification to assist leaders at high schools and universities in addressing the cybersecurity challenges faced in education.

Student SOCs are becoming increasingly popular across the US, largely because of the need for an extra set of hands on security teams. With a student SOC, educational institutions can strengthen their cybersecurity defenses while also offering students invaluable hands-on training that equips them with the skills to step confidently into the workforce.

Optimizing AI strategy in higher education

As generative AI is increasingly embraced in higher education, school leaders are rethinking how they teach, conduct research, and support students and staff—driving innovation that’s reshaping the future of higher education. Define your institutional strategy and innovate with confidence by using the Cloud AI Adoption for Higher Education e-book. It offers structured guidance that helps prepare organizations to adopt AI at scale.

To fully harness AI’s potential, it’s important to develop cohesive strategies that align AI adoption with the core mission of your institution, ensuring long-term impact and responsible evolution. Get started with the Cloud AI Adoption for Higher Education e-book to develop an AI strategy and implementation plan.

These are just a few of the latest updates and features available—and we’re not stopping there. Microsoft Education supports educators with tools, features, and resources designed to simplify workflows, enhance student engagement and professional learning, and foster innovation. Explore these tools and updates today—and check back often for more ways to reimagine education with Microsoft.

The post Extend your teaching toolkit with the latest updates from Microsoft Education appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

Join the Microsoft Skills for Social Impact team for informational office hours to start your journey as an MIE Expert or Showcase School. They’ll share more information about each program, and you’ll learn about new opportunities and resources available for educators and schools. These sessions are open to every educator and school leader: Invite your colleagues and register now!

Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert program

MIE Experts share a common vision: They inspire students with creative thinking and collaboration, using Microsoft technology across their curriculum and in their classrooms. If this describes your experience, we’re looking for visionaries like you! As a member of the MIE Expert global community of 30,000 educators, you’ll connect with colleagues around the world to share insights, learn from each other, and shape the future of education.

How to become an MIE Expert

1. Join Microsoft Learn: Start by creating your profile on Microsoft Learn to track your achievements.
2. Complete key learning paths on Microsoft Learn:
   • Microsoft Educator academy
   • AI for educators
   • Build reading fluency with Reading Coach (featuring new features for educators)
   • Build cybersecurity resilience in K-12 classrooms
3. Review the nomination questions: View helpful guidance and access the list of nomination questions (automatic download).
4. Nominate yourself: By July 31, 2025, submit your self-nomination, showcasing your innovative use of Microsoft tools as an educator. Note that only nominations submitted during the nomination period will be considered.

Microsoft Showcase Schools program

If your school is a center of innovative teaching and learning, becoming a Microsoft Showcase School can help you achieve even more. Showcase Schools are models of education innovation that use technology to create learning experiences, building essential skills for the future.

How to become a Showcase School

1. Familiarize yourself with the Showcase School criteria: Review the Showcase School criteria to understand the program’s principles.
2. Assess your school: Use the Showcase School rubric to evaluate your school’s current standing and areas for growth.
3. Prepare your evidence PowerPoint: Collate evidence of your use of Microsoft tools to enhance teaching and learning.
4. Nominate your school: Fill out the self-nomination form by July 31, 2025, demonstrating how your school has integrated technology to enhance education. Note that only nominations submitted during the nomination period will be considered.

Embrace the future of education

Recognition matters—but becoming a Showcase School or MIE Expert goes beyond recognition. You’ll become part of a global movement that redefines education through technology. This is your opportunity to shape education and to prepare students for a world where digital literacy is not just valued—it’s essential.

Microsoft Education equips educators and institutions with the tools to foster innovation, productivity, and equitable learning opportunities. By empowering students and educators to achieve their potential, Microsoft helps build a future where inclusive, effective education is accessible to all. We’re calling for educators and institutions who dare to dream big. Join the community of innovators who are creating the future of education.

Connect with Microsoft

Stay up to date on the latest news and resources from Microsoft Education and Microsoft Skills for Social Impact to support teaching and learning around the world.

• Join the Microsoft Learn Educator Center.
• Subscribe to our YouTube channel.
• Follow us on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X, Pinterest, and LinkedIn.
• Bookmark the Microsoft Education Blog and visit frequently for news that inspires and supports learning.

From simplifying operations to fostering meaningful engagement and driving innovation, Microsoft provides education institutions with tools and resources to excel in a competitive, digital-first world. Learn how you can empower your entire community—students, educators, and staff—to achieve better outcomes today and prepare for the opportunities of tomorrow.

The post Educators of the future: Microsoft Innovative Educator Experts and Showcase Schools appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

Join us in celebrating these everyday heroes who inspire, guide, and uplift learners everywhere. We invite you to watch this special video as our way of saying thank you and to shine a light on educators who make a difference each day. Let’s take a moment to honor and share our gratitude to all educators during Teacher Appreciation Week.

Recognizing everyday moments

Education is more than just instruction—it’s the thousands of small, meaningful interactions that shape a student’s journey. From a reassuring word to a well-timed nudge of encouragement, these everyday moments, often overlooked, are where learning truly takes root.

Teaching is also about fostering curiosity, nurturing confidence, and creating an environment where students can thrive. Every role within a school community—from educators and librarians to school counselors and special education paraprofessionals—plays an essential part in shaping the educational experience. For Teacher Appreciation Week 2025, we celebrate and thank all of you by enshrining the everyday moments that make a difference.

Academic moments that inspire growth and discovery

As educators, you bring knowledge to life in ways that engage and inspire students. Whether it’s through hands-on science experiments, interactive storytelling, or creative arts, moments like these foster a lifelong love of learning.

• Encouraging exploration: Classroom educators, you ignite curiosity through creative and engaging activities, making abstract concepts come to life for students.
• Igniting a love for reading: Literacy champions and multilingual educators, you help students discover the power of words and language, opening doors to new worlds and perspectives.
• Overcoming challenges: Special education professionals and interventionists, you empower students to harness their unique strengths and succeed in learning.
• Fostering creativity: Music, art, and theater educators, you encourage self-expression and confidence, helping students develop their creative voices.
• Inspiring innovation: Technology and STEM educators, you spark problem-solving skills and creativity, preparing students to think critically and innovate in a digital world.

As you continue to foster growth and discovery, we’re here to support your mission. Discover how technology can amplify your classroom experience with training, tools, and resources from Microsoft Education.

Lessons that last a lifetime

The impact you have extends far beyond academics. Educators, school leaders, and staff create environments like these where students feel safe, valued, and prepared for life’s challenges, often in moments that are unexpected but lasting.

• Teaching altruism: School counselors and social workers, you guide students through moments of compassion, helping them understand that caring for others, especially in times of need, creates lifelong bonds and empathy.
• Instilling perseverance: Career and technical education (CTE) instructors, you help students face setbacks and turn failures into valuable life lessons, teaching them that success is built from resilience, preparation, and gaining skills for the future.
• Encouraging curiosity: Librarians and media specialists, you help students navigate unexpected journeys of discovery. Whether it’s a book they stumble upon or a question they didn’t know they had, you show them that learning can be spontaneous, joyful, and lifelong.
• Supporting health and well-being: School nurses and nutrition staff, you offer comfort and care, from easing a scraped knee to providing nourishment, teaching students that well-being is integral to their growth. You remind students that being cared for is just as important as learning.
• Building teamwork and resilience: Physical education educators, you teach far more than sports. Through teamwork, effort, and fair play, students learn how to bounce back from loss, celebrate others, and show up for themselves and their peers.
• Empowering digital learning: IT and tech professionals, you ensure that technology runs efficiently and securely, enabling students and educators to use digital tools for learning and growth. Your expertise fosters innovation and helps prepare students for the future.
• Leading with vision and heart: Principals, department heads, and superintendents, you shape the culture and direction of the entire school community. Your leadership helps create environments where academic excellence and personal growth thrive.
• Ensuring a clean and welcoming environment: Custodians and maintenance technicians, your dedication to maintaining the physical space allows students and educators to focus on learning. You teach us the importance of care, attention to detail, and pride in our surroundings.

A big thank you to all the educators and school staff who go above and beyond, creating moments that last a lifetime. You’re shaping futures in ways big and small, and we’re honored to support you in your mission. Happy Teacher Appreciation Week—you’re making the world a better place, one moment at a time!

Every day, you lay the foundation for lifelong learning. We’re committed to providing ongoing support to help you nurture students in all aspects of their development. Explore our curated collection of resources—quick start guides, infographics, and research studies—designed to empower the education community.

To every educator, regardless of role: Your passion, patience, and unwavering dedication enshrine the everyday moments that make a lasting difference in the lives of your students and the future of our communities. Your efforts may not always be seen, but they’re often felt. During Teacher Appreciation Week 2025, and throughout the year, we celebrate and honor you.

From all of us at Microsoft Education—thank you for all that you do.

The post Enshrine the everyday: Appreciating the lasting impact of educators appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

We’ll showcase some of the latest product enhancements and features that can help you increase student engagement, refine your instructional techniques, and simplify your workflow. Additionally, we’ll share professional learning opportunities to help you grow and enhance your skills. Let’s dive in and explore some of the latest developments from Microsoft Education.

Simplify your workflow and enhance student engagement

Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat and agents

We recently introduced Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat, an offering that adds pay-as-you-go agents to our existing free chat experience for Microsoft 365 education customers. Copilot Chat is the experience you can use every day—powered by broad knowledge from the web, built on the latest AI models, and designed to be safe and secure. 

You can customize your Copilot Chat experience with AI agents tailored to your specific needs. Simply provide the agent with institutional files—such as a lesson plan template and language usage guidelines—to create specialized assistants, like a “lesson plan agent” that aligns to your institution’s standards.

Advancements in AI

At Bett UK 2025, we announced AI-powered products and resources to help boost your efficiency, expedite your administrative processes, and enhance student engagement. Some highlights include:

• Copilot+ PCs – featuring enhanced security, optimized performance, and AI-integrated experiences. Now with code name Project Spark—our first education-focused Windows 11 app for Copilot+ PC—to bring on-device intelligence to your classroom.
• Microsoft Education AI Toolkit – new resources and updates help leaders deliver safer AI experiences in their schools.
• Minecraft Lesson Crafter – an AI-powered tool that helps you design custom lesson plans in Minecraft Education, while also practicing how to write effective AI prompts.
• Khanmigo for Teachers – provides over 20 free, AI-powered tools to help streamline class prep with no prompting required.
• Khanmigo Writing Coach – designed by educators, it uses AI to make essay writing an interactive experience and provide students with step-by-step guidance without ever writing a word for them.

Learning Accelerators and Teams Assignments updates

Help your students build foundational and future-ready skills with Learning Accelerators, a set of learning tools included in Microsoft 365 Education. Support ongoing improvement and give your students more opportunities to learn, practice, and receive targeted coaching instantly in an inclusive environment. Check out some of the latest updates to Learning Accelerators:

• Reading Coach is now available as a free, standalone app. Explore how Reading Coach helps students build reading fluency with AI-powered reading practice.
• Math Progress is now available with Microsoft Teams for Education, making it easier for you to create math problems, track student performance, and identify learning needs.
• Speaker Progress now allows students to upload their own PowerPoints and provides real-time feedback on their presentation skills like pacing, pitch, and body language. Also, more languages are now available in Speaker Progress, including Spanish, Portuguese, and Korean.
• Teams Assignments are now integrated with Blackboard by Anthology—bringing Learning Accelerators, MakeCode projects, Reflect check-ins, and other tools directly into the learning management system (LMS).

Whether you’re helping students become more confident readers, strengthening math skills, or improving public speaking, these updates make it easier to support student learning and engagement.

Dig Deeper into the world of AI with Minecraft

The CyberSafe series from Minecraft Education uses game-based learning to help students boost their digital citizenship skills. In the latest installment, CyberSafe AI: Dig Deeper, learners develop skills to use AI tools responsibly by tackling real-world challenges and exploring questions of academic integrity, human oversight, data privacy, and deepfakes. Discover this fun Minecraft world and empower your students to think critically and use AI responsibly.

Stay ahead with professional learning opportunities

Level up cybersecurity curriculum with MSLE

Bringing AI, cybersecurity, and digital safety into the classroom is easier with the right support. The Microsoft Learn for Educators (MSLE) program offers professional learning opportunities that help you integrate these important topics into your teaching with confidence. The MSLE Cybersecurity and AI Bootcamp provides:

• Train-the-trainer sessions led by Microsoft experts.
• Flexible resources to help you incorporate AI and cybersecurity into any subject area.
• Support for preparing students for Microsoft Certification exams.

With expert guidance and ready-to-use resources, this program helps you equip students with the knowledge they need for the future.

Tap into possibilities for innovation

Inspiring a new generation of learners

Microsoft welcomed nearly 30,000 Microsoft Innovative Educator Experts (MIEE) and 600 Microsoft Showcase Schools (SCS) for the 2024-2025 academic year. These educators and schools are leading the way in enhancing learning through technology, and they’re poised to make an even greater impact in the year ahead. Interested in joining these inspiring communities? Learn more about the programs and details about the nomination process for each.

Education pricing for Microsoft 365 Archive

In today’s digital landscape, educational institutions require strong information management to fully leverage AI. Effective information governance helps ensure that AI applications use accurate, complete, and reliable data to generate meaningful insights and improve outcomes. Microsoft 365 Archive can help you manage your data and is now available for qualifying education tenants at education pricing.

Whether you want to try new ways to engage your students, boost your professional learning, or tap into possibilities for innovation at your school, Microsoft Education has tools and experiences for you to explore. Dive in and get started today!

The post Amplify learning with updates from Microsoft Education appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

New this year: The Microsoft Innovative Educator Experts and Microsoft Showcase Schools programs are now being supported by the Microsoft Philanthropies team. The programs are highly valued and are being supported this year in strong collaboration from teams across Microsoft.

Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE) Experts and MIE Fellows

We invite you to learn more about our community of inspiring educators who take every opportunity to enhance their own learning, enabling them to do more within their educational institutions. In using Microsoft technology, MIE Experts build skills that have a direct impact on the future of their schools and communities at large. They also build connections with an exclusive digital community, at local events, conferences, through social media, and additional mediums.

In welcoming MIE Experts for the 2024-2025 academic year, we recognize their dedication to professional growth and their unwavering enthusiasm for pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in education. Through their leadership and innovative practices, MIE Experts are inspiring students to become active participants in their own learning journey, equipping them with the skills they need to thrive in an ever-changing world. Join us in welcoming the 2024-2025 MIE Experts!

The MIE Fellows are a select group of MIE Experts who’ve emerged as leaders in their areas, motivating their colleagues and students with creative teaching methods. They actively share their knowledge and experiences, playing a vital role in a global community dedicated to advancing education through technology. Welcome MIE Fellows for 2024-2025!

Microsoft Showcase Schools and Microsoft Incubator Schools

Microsoft Showcase Schools have embraced technology as a catalyst for positive change, weaving it into the fabric of their educational programs to enhance student engagement, collaboration, and achievement.

Being designated as a Microsoft Showcase School is a testament to an institution’s commitment to fostering a culture of innovation and empowerment by using Microsoft tools. Showcase Schools serve as living examples of how educational technology can elevate learning outcomes, preparing students with future-ready skills.

In the 2024-2025 academic year, we celebrate the remarkable achievements of Microsoft Showcase Schools. These institutions have not only embraced technological advancements but have also created inclusive and student-centered environments where learners are encouraged to explore, experiment, and excel. Join us in welcoming the 2024-2025 Microsoft Showcase Schools!

The Microsoft Incubator Schools are just beginning their journey toward educational transformation. As they embark on this path, their involvement in the Incubator School program allows them to work alongside Microsoft and educational leaders globally, laying the groundwork for substantial, lasting impact. Their journey is in its early stages, and the opportunities for growth and innovation are vast. Welcome Microsoft Incubator Schools for 2024-2025!

Join our community of MIE Experts

In the first half of 2025, you’ll have the opportunity to join nearly 30,000 educators in our MIE Expert community. You can get started by joining the Microsoft Learn Educator Center, where you can access free professional development and resources to support your growth as an educator! Once you join, start working to earn your Microsoft Educator and Advanced Educator badges.

Nominations to become an MIE Expert are expected to open in May 2025. Prepare for your nomination by learning more about how to join the MIE Expert program.

Join the Microsoft Showcase School program

If you’re a school leader who’s interested in joining the Showcase School program, please follow these steps:

• Find out where your school is on the transformation journey and decide in which areas you’d like your school to grow.
• Learn about the Showcase School program engagement process.
• Fill out a self-nomination form for your school.

Note that all schools joining the program start on the incubator path to begin or expand their transformation journey. When a school reaches the Showcase School criteria, they can then apply to become a Showcase School.

Transforming education together

By embracing these opportunities and resources, educators and school leaders can drive meaningful change and inspire a new generation of learners. Together, let’s transform education and unlock the potential of every student, making a lasting impact on our communities and beyond.

Stay up to date on the latest news and resources from Microsoft Education to support teaching and learning, no matter where you live:

• Sign up for our educator newsletter.
• Subscribe to the Microsoft Education YouTube channel.
• Follow us on TikTok, X (Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.

The post Welcome the 2024-2025 MIE Experts and Microsoft Showcase Schools appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

We’ll highlight some of the recent product updates and capabilities to help you boost student engagement, improve your instruction, and simplify your tasks. We’ll also share professional development opportunities to help you develop and enhance your skills. Let’s dive in and see what’s new in Microsoft Education.

Simplify your workflow with new tools, features, and capabilities

1. Get free access to Khanmigo for Teachers for US educators

We recently announced a new partnership with Khan Academy to help turn the promise of AI in education into reality and increase access to innovation. As part of the partnership, Microsoft is enabling Khan Academy to provide free access to Khanmigo for Teachers to all US educators, we’re collaborating to explore opportunities to improve AI-powered math tutoring with a new open-source small language model, and bringing high-quality education experiences to more learners.

Read about our collaboration with Khan Academy and learn how US educators can get started with Khanmigo for Teachers for free. You can also save or print this quick guide to Khanmigo for Teachers to refer back to as needed.

2. Discover new Minecraft Education, Reflect, and MakeCode experiences inspired by Disney and Pixar’s Inside Out 2

Engage your class with new experiences from Microsoft Education inspired by Disney and Pixar’s Inside Out 2. Create an open and accepting classroom with these new activities from Minecraft Education, Reflect, and MakeCode.

• Dive into a world where emotions come to life and find what brings you joy in a new Minecraft Education build challenge inspired by the movie, complete with a lesson plan and a custom world.
• Explore new brain breaks in Reflect that include stories, games, and coloring pages featuring characters from the movie.
• Celebrate the release with a new Bubble Popping arcade tutorial from MakeCode that features art and characters from the movie.

3. Teach computing skills with Visual Studio Code for Education

Consistent with Microsoft’s commitment to preparing students for the future, we announced the release of our latest product to empower the next generation of developers—Visual Studio Code for Education, a free online computer science education platform. Visual Studio Code for Education is designed for students and educators and provides integrated curriculum and a sandbox coding environment for everyone, with zero setup.

Get started with Visual Studio Code for Education and see how it can be a valuable resource in your classroom!

4. Practice summer reading with Reading Coach

School may be out for summer in many places across the northern hemisphere, but learning doesn’t have to stop! Have your students practice their reading and personalize their own stories using Reading Coach online during the summer break. Reading Coach provides personalized, engaging, and independent reading fluency practice by allowing learners to create unique AI-generated stories by choosing characters and settings from a curated collection of options.

One of the newest features, “Unlock characters and settings,” empowers learners to get a new character or story setting for every 20 minutes of reading. Learners can even trade characters and story settings from a whole new collection. Get started with Reading Coach online for school or home use and scroll further to learn about the new Reading Coach training course for educators on Microsoft Learn.

5. Leap into summer learning with a free game from Microsoft

Help your student stay sharp over the summer break with our free game for students, Leaps and Logs. In this summer learning game, players take on challenges across various subjects including English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Coding, and Arts/Music. The free summer learning activities in Leaps and Logs can be completed by students of most ages (age 8 or older recommended) and players can engage with Leaps and Logs in two different ways: digitally or on paper (with access to a device for embedded task links).

Visit Leap into summer learning with a game from Microsoft for full game directions and the Leaps and Logs game board.

6. Check out the new AI enhancements in Microsoft Teams for Education

New features in Microsoft Teams for Education, a powerful communication app for schools, leverage AI to help you draft content like rubrics and assignment instructions, all while keeping the educator in control.   

• Using generative AI to create rubrics in Assignments: With generative AI integrated into Assignments, enter what you want the rubric to assess, and Assignments will suggest criteria and complete the rubric for you.
• Using generative AI to create instructions in Assignments: Get multiple suggestions for how to enrich the content, such as adding more details, adding learning objectives, emphasizing key concepts, and even making your assignments more interesting. After the content is created, you can make further edits and updates as you go.

Visit What’s New in Microsoft EDU | May 2024 to learn about all the new updates in Microsoft Teams for Education.

7. Explore the new wild wisdom activities collection in Microsoft Reflect

We’re excited to introduce the wild wisdom activities collection in Reflect, featuring stories and coloring pages centered around nature. Reflect is a Learning Accelerator that helps students build important social, emotional, and academic skills by offering quick check-ins, intentional brain breaks, mindfulness activities, and actionable data. Each story in the wild wisdom collection is paired with a corresponding coloring page and highlights the fascinating behaviors of various animals—from dolphin friendships to elephant empathy, and penguin teamwork.

Explore the engaging stories and coloring pages in the new wild wisdom activities collection in Reflect.

8. Enrich teaching and learning experiences with Microsoft Forms updates

Microsoft Forms helps educators assess student progress and create engaging, interactive learning experiences for their students. Check out these updates in Microsoft Forms to easily access your responses and insert a form into a Stream video.

• Form or quiz data sync to Excel: You can now access all your responses in Excel for the web. New responses will sync automatically in real-time, while also leveraging Excel’s robust functions to analyze and evaluate your class’s performance.
• Embed Forms and callouts into Stream videos: You can now insert a form or quiz directly into a Stream video. As the video plays to a specific moment, the form or quiz will appear to the students. Once they’ve completed the form or quiz, they can continue watching the video, providing you with a new way to enhance engagement and assess comprehension in real-time.

Read What’s New in Microsoft EDU | May 2024 to learn about all the latest updates in Microsoft Forms.

9. Adding Universal Print value for educational organizations

Many schools have told us that they need simpler printing solutions and more predictable costs to manage their budgets effectively. To help educational organizations meet their printing needs, we recently announced licensing changes that will address both these issues. Organizations with Microsoft 365 A3 and Microsoft 365 A5 licenses¹ now receive 100 print jobs per license per month. This means that most organizations can use Universal Print with no extra cost if they have eligible licenses.

Read the article Adding Universal Print value for educational organizations to learn more about Universal Print and the new increased print volume.

Stay ahead with professional development opportunities and events

10. Take the new Reading Coach course on Microsoft Learn

Learn how to use Reading Coach, a free tool that uses AI and built-in fluency detection to personalize reading content and practice for learners, with a new training module on Microsoft Learn. The new course will help you understand how to access Reading Coach and use the tool in your classroom. It’ll also help you learn how to describe the core reading functionality of the tool, and how to best use the different reading modes to support your students’ reading fluency.

Take the new Build reading fluency with Reading Coach training module on Microsoft Learn and learn how to get started with Reading Coach.

11. Recharge and explore with summer learning for educators

Many educators in the northern hemisphere are getting ready to take a well-deserved break for the summer. We know that many of you embrace this opportunity to explore new things, so we’ve curated a list of exciting learning experiences to inspire you this summer. These free, flexible professional development resources for teachers allow you to move at your own pace and can be accessed anytime, anywhere.

Visit Recharge and explore with summer learning for educators to tap into our collection of free professional development resources for teachers.

Tap into new possibilities for innovation in education

12. Become an MIE Expert, Showcase School, or Incubator School for 2024-2025

The future is here, and it’s time to step into the spotlight as a beacon of educational innovation. The Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE) Expert nominations for the 2024-2025 academic year are open until June 17, 2024, and Showcase School nominations are opening soon. This is your opportunity to shine! Being part of these programs means actively participating in a global movement that redefines education through technology.

Check out the article Become an MIE Expert, Showcase School, or Incubator School for 2024-2025 to learn how to nominate yourself and your school.

Whether you want to discover new ways to engage your students, expand your learning, or tap into possibilities for innovation at your school, Microsoft Education has new features and experiences for you to explore. Happy teaching!

¹ Users with Student Use Benefit licenses can print with Universal Print, but these licenses do not contribute print jobs to the pool. See Product Terms for details about Student Use Benefits and Academic Programs.

The post Discover 12 new ways to enhance your teaching with Microsoft Education appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

MIE Experts

Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE) Experts have demonstrated a deep commitment to integrating technology into their classrooms, fostering collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking among their students. This community of educators is redefining teaching and learning in the digital age.

The MIE Expert program brings together a diverse community of educators from around the world who share a passion for leveraging Microsoft tools and solutions to create immersive and engaging learning environments. We are proud of their endeavors and honored to support their work as they transform the lives of students.

As we welcome the MIE Experts for the 2023-2024 academic year, we recognize their dedication to professional growth and their unwavering enthusiasm for pushing the boundaries of what is possible in education. Through their leadership and innovative practices, MIE Experts are inspiring students to become active participants in their own learning journey, equipping them with the skills they need to thrive in an ever-changing world. View all the MIE Experts for 2023-2024.

Microsoft Showcase Schools

Microsoft Showcase Schools have embraced technology as a catalyst for positive change, weaving it into the fabric of their educational programs to enhance student engagement, collaboration, and achievement.

Being designated as a Microsoft Showcase School is a testament to an institution’s commitment to fostering a culture of innovation and empowerment by using Microsoft tools. Showcase Schools serve as living examples of how educational technology can elevate learning outcomes, preparing students with future-ready skills.

In the 2023-2024 academic year, we celebrate the remarkable achievements of Microsoft Showcase Schools. These institutions have not only embraced technological advancements but have also created inclusive and student-centered environments where learners are encouraged to explore, experiment, and excel. View all the Microsoft Showcase Schools for 2023-2024.

Join our community of MIE Experts!

Do you want become part of the 30,000+ educators in our MIE Expert community? Get started by joining the Microsoft Learn Educator Center, where you can access free professional development and resources to support your growth as an educator! Once you join, start working to earn your Microsoft Educator and Advanced Educator badges.

Nominations to become an MIE Expert will open in May 2024. Prepare for your nomination to today by following these steps:

• Complete the Microsoft Educator Academy.
• Complete the Master Microsoft Teams for any learning environment learning path.
• Complete the 21st century learning design learning path.

Join the Microsoft Showcase School program

If you are a school leader who is interested in joining the Showcase School program, please follow these steps:

• Review the Microsoft Education Transformation Framework.
• Find out where your school is on the transformation journey by consulting the Showcase School rubric and decide in which areas you’d like your school to grow.
• Learn about the Showcase School program engagement process.
• Fill out a self-nomination form for your school.

All schools joining the program start on the incubator path to begin or expand their transformation journey. When a school reaches the Showcase School criteria, they can then apply to become a Showcase School.

Stay up to date on the latest news and resources from Microsoft Education to support teaching and learning, no matter where you live.

• Join the Microsoft Learn Educator Center.
• Sign up for our educator newsletter.
• Subscribe to our Microsoft Education YouTube channel.
• Follow us on TikTok, X (formerly known as Twitter), Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

The post Microsoft’s 2023-2024 MIE Experts and Showcase Schools: Fostering a culture of innovation appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

Learning something new can be a time-consuming and tiring process, but it doesn’t have to be so. Learning Accelerators are designed to help educators boost student learning with free tools that support foundational and future-ready skills.

At Escola Bosque, a Microsoft Showcase School, we use Learning Accelerators, and we are going to specifically talk about how we use Reading Coach, Search Coach, Speaker Coach, and Microsoft Reflect. All these Learning Accelerators are aimed at improving reading and writing skills, which are essential skills for learning in all areas of knowledge.

Enhance reading fluency with Reading Coach

The importance of technology in the teaching and learning process is increasingly evident and, in the current context, technological tools have become even more relevant.

One second grade teacher noticed that some of her students had more difficulty understanding the proposed activities when they only read them but improved significantly when they listened to the instructions. To help these students, she adopted Reading Coach, a Learning Accelerator built into Microsoft Teams that helps students practice reading.

A student using Reading Coach, which helps learners practice reading where they are comfortable, reducing the anxiety associated with reading in front of a class or teacher.

Reading Coach allows students to practice reading where they are comfortable, reducing the anxiety associated with reading in front of a class or teacher. The tool automatically identifies which words need more attention when pronouncing them and enables better interpretation of the texts presented. The students have loved using Reading Coach and it has already been possible to notice a change in their engagement, as well as an improvement in their assessments.

The success of using Reading Coach is due to the safety and simplicity it provides for students. This makes the work of both the teacher and the student more dynamic and inviting. Reading Coach is an excellent option for teachers who are looking for more ways to make learning more effective and attractive for their students.

The adoption of technological tools in education can be a challenge, but it is also a great opportunity to innovate and bring more efficiency to the teaching and learning process. Moreover, the use of tools such as Reading Coach can make learning more accessible and inclusive for students with different learning profiles.

Download the one-page guide on Reading Progress and Reading Coach to learn more about using these literacy tools together.

Develop research skills with Search Coach

One of the most significant advantages of Search Coach, another Learning Accelerator built into Microsoft Teams, is that it provides students with tools and feedback on information literacy in real-time. For educators, Search Coach provides more transparency on how their students search, providing crucial insight into each student’s research process.

Search Coach suggests reliable sources and provides guidelines for writing more precise and effective questions. This feature is especially helpful for students who are not familiar with the research process or who struggle with finding credible sources. Using Search Coach, students were able to perform searches in different languages and filter the results according to specific criteria such as publication date and relevance.

What I like most about Search Coach is the filters for the category, type, and posting date of the information, which means that my work is always up-to-date, secure, and reliable, giving me great results at school.

Caio Pugliese, 7th grade student, Escola Bosque, São Paulo, Brazil

The student experience in Search Coach provides tips, shows the reliability of websites, and features a filter menu to get more accurate results.

The impact of Search Coach on students’ research skills has been noticed by teachers and built into their practices. In particular, the technology teacher has found that Search Coach is a valuable aid for students looking to improve their research skills and produce quality papers.

In addition to providing relevant search results, Search Coach also mentors students in critically evaluating sources, which is crucial when we are surrounded by fake news.

Leandro Reis, English Teacher, Escola Bosque, São Paulo, Brazil

To learn more, explore the Search Coach product guide, download the Search Coach one-page guide, or take the Microsoft Learn module Develop search strategies with Search Coach and Search Progress.

Strengthen presentation skills with Speaker Coach

Speaker Coach, has been a real revolution for our students, helping them to improve their presentations effectively and autonomously. By using Speaker Coach, students have received accurate assessments of their presentations and have been guided to highlight their best skills to convey more confidence and assurance.

Speaker Coach being accessed on the Slide Show tab in PowerPoint. Speaker Coach is also available in Clipchamp and Microsoft Teams.

Students who have used Speaker Coach have reported a significant increase in their confidence when speaking in public. They also greatly improved their vocabulary used during presentations, which made them more effective in conveying their ideas. With the help of Speaker Coach, students can practice their presentation skills in a safe and comfortable environment. This means they can make mistakes and learn without the fear of being judged or mocked.

Download the Quick Guide to Speaker Coach or read How educators can use Speaker Coach to develop confident public speakers to learn more.

Create impactful check-ins with Reflect

Socio-emotional health has become one of the most discussed subjects in the school environment in recent years, and the importance of working with this topic is increasingly evident. At our school, this theme is already part of our DNA, and we have been reaping great results with activities and projects in this area, which contribute significantly to the wellbeing of our students.

In this regard, Microsoft Reflect, a wellbeing app in Teams, has proven to be a powerful tool to work on children’s emotions. During English classes, one teacher has created opportunities for students in grades 6-9 to share their emotions and be heard.

Students are asked to respond to Reflect, and the data is collected and organized through Education Insights in Teams for Education. In this way, the teacher can check the most recurring words among the students and diagnose the emotional health of the class. Based on these results, the teacher discusses the socio-emotional issues collectively and individually in his classes, cultivating wellbeing and interaction among students.

Educators can explore Reflect check-in responses through the Feelings Monsters or in a summary view of their class.

This approach has brought significant results, not only for the students’ emotional health, but also for the climate in the classroom and the quality of learning. After all, when students feel welcomed and safe emotionally, they are more open and willing to learn.

Therefore, investing in students’ social-emotional health is fundamental for a complete and effective education. And Reflect is a tool that can help teachers work on this topic in a practical and efficient way, contributing to the formation of students who are more balanced and prepared to face life’s challenges.

To learn more, explore how to get started with Reflect in Teams, download the Quick Guide to Reflect, or take the Microsoft Learn module Build social and emotional skills in your classroom community with Reflect.

Top tips for using Learning Accelerators to boost learning

1. Know the tools: Before using Learning Accelerators, it is important to know their features and possibilities. Access the available documentation and tutorials to learn more about each tool. As a Microsoft Showcase School, we are also able to get training and advice from the community via the Global Showcase School Leaders Team.

2. Use the tools together: Learning Accelerators can be used together to enhance learning. For example, use Reading Progress to practice reading, Reflect to stimulate reflection and discussion of ideas, and Reading Coach to improve reading aloud skills.

3. Use the tools often: To enhance learning with Learning Accelerators, it is important to plan regular study sessions and use the tools frequently.

4. Take advantage of customization possibilities: Learning Accelerators have several customization options that can be used to create a more efficient study environment that suits your and your students’ needs.

Using the right tools to accelerate learning

Microsoft Reading Coach, Search Coach, Speaker Coach, and Reflect are examples of how technology can be used to accelerate learning. All these Learning Accelerators are designed to improve reading and writing skills, which are essential for the development of learning in many areas of knowledge. As educators, it’s important for us to be empowered by technology like Learning Accelerators so we can attend to our students with more assurance in their individualized learning opportunities.

Coming up next from The Beacon: Insights from the Global Showcase School Advisory Board: Learn how one school system supports better learning outcomes with efficient and effective data practices.

The post The Beacon: How to boost learning with Learning Accelerators appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

The potential of Minecraft Education for teaching and learning is endless. Students everywhere love Minecraft, with many creating and exploring virtual worlds on a regular basis outside of school with their friends. Harnessing this level of enthusiasm in the classroom has a positive impact, leading to high levels of student engagement and learning across the whole school curriculum.

Explore the wide range of resources and off-the-shelf lessons for educators that make it easy to start your Minecraft Education journey today.

Engaging and interactive for all ages

Minecraft Education can capture the attention of students of all age groups and keep them engaged in the learning process, helping build critical skills in an inclusive, fun environment. Some of the aspects it provides are to:

• Prepare students for the digital future by developing computational thinking skills with in-game coding and comprehensive computer science curriculum.
• Drive meaningful learning across the curriculum with standards-based content and immersive, imaginative worlds.
• Build social-emotional and important life skills like empathy and digital citizenship.

Additionally, Minecraft Education encourages collaboration, a crucial skill for thriving in school and the future workplace. Students work together to solve problems, whether they’re exploring pyramids of ancient Egypt, writing code to build a castle, or designing a more sustainable city. Virtual collaboration within Minecraft Education can extend the learning environment beyond the traditional walled classroom and school day, building classroom community and helping students stay connected.

Ribblesdale High School, a Microsoft Showcase School, uses Microsoft Education solutions to engage students in the classroom.

Join us as we share the story of how one educator uses Minecraft Education to accelerate learning and keep students engaged in the classroom.

Sparking the creative process

As a Microsoft Showcase School, Ribblesdale High School has integrated the use of Minecraft Education across the curriculum, in areas such as English, History, Geography, and Religious Education. Year 7 students in English have been using Minecraft Education to represent their creative writing scenes even before putting “pen to paper.”

Two students working on laptops at Ribblesdale High School, where Minecraft Education has been integrated across the curriculum.

Abi Hewson, an educator and leader within the department, highlights that it can be hard for students to get started with creative writing assignments. To help students feel more comfortable with the creative writing process, Abi started using Minecraft Education in the classroom.

Some students really struggle on getting started with creative writing work. Being able to build a world in Minecraft, before having to put it into words, really helps to get their creative juices flowing!

Abi Hewson, Department Leader and Educator at Ribblesdale School, UK

Initially Abi had little personal experience in using Minecraft Education, however this was soon overcome with support from her students and the Minecraft Teacher Academy learning pathway from the Microsoft Learn Educator Center. It gave Abi confidence in getting up to speed with the basics, plus it provided a range of tips on classroom management and readiness.

Teach with Minecraft Education and find your community

Luckily, there are a range of resources to support educators in making the first steps to integrate Minecraft Education into teaching and learning in the classroom. Explore these resources designed to help you learn how to teach with Minecraft Education and help you become more confident enhancing learning by moving into the virtual world.

• Join a free instructor-led, online professional learning that takes place over 4 one-hour sessions starting on July 25.
• Take the on-demand Minecraft Teacher Academy learning path from the Microsoft Learn Educator Center to learn on your own.
• Join the Minecraft Teachers Lounge community to meet and learn from passionate educators, gain access to new lessons and teaching resources, and find upcoming events.
• Save time with ready-made starter kits that include lesson plans, downloadable worlds, and tutorials in core school subjects.

Minecraft Education engages students across subjects while promoting creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving within and beyond the classroom. Begin your Minecraft Education journey or bolster your expertise today!

Coming up next month from The Beacon: Insights from the Global Showcase School Advisory Board: See how one school boosts learning with Learning Accelerators in Microsoft 365 Education.

The post The Beacon: Engage students and inspire creativity with Minecraft Education appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

Celebrating three MIE Experts

Microsoft Innovative Education Expert

To help celebrate Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, we are sharing the experiences of three inspirational women from the Davis County School District (DSD) in Farmington, Utah. Jennifer Morgan, Hollie Fisher, and Ashtin Johnson are Microsoft Innovative Education (MIE) Experts who are using digital skills to take teaching and learning to the next level.

Jennifer Morgan, a School Technology Specialist, was the first MIE Expert in the state of Utah and brought her expertise to DSD where she has helped grow the MIE program for the last six years. DSD serves over 72,000 students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, with two Microsoft Showcase elementary schools and one incubator middle school that is working to become a Microsoft Showcase school.

Morgan along with her colleagues in Technology Integration Center developed a staff training program in the district that utilizes online courses from Microsoft Learn as well as in-person training and coaching. When educators complete their training, they are encouraged to apply to become MIE Experts and continue building technology skills that students will use throughout their lives. Morgan has coached educators who were once “petrified of using technology.” After growing their skills through the MIE program, these same educators have now created technology mentorship opportunities between upper and lower grade levels.

Microsoft Learn user interface

Hollie Fisher, a 4th grade teacher at Lakeside Elementary, started her Microsoft journey in DSD and quickly became a MIE Expert and Microsoft Education Trainer. Fisher excitedly brought what she learned into the classroom to her eager students. In 2018, she developed a Junior Microsoft Expert program that is now being used throughout the district. Its success has received attention from schools across the United States.

Fisher’s Junior Microsoft Expert program allows 3rd and 4th grade students to become proficient in using a variety of Microsoft tools, such as OneNote, Teams, Sway, and Reading Progress, and to develop their 21st century skills. After self-selecting to learn a tool, students take an assessment using Forms to show their knowledge before earning a badge.

Fisher states students have become empowered leaders who are able to troubleshoot, and problem solve when issues arise. Her students have supported learners in other grade levels to develop their technology use, such as showing others how to use Minecraft Education, and how to open an email in Outlook. This program helps build student agency and Fisher has seen an improvement in academic scores and engagement as well as real-world application of learning.

It gave my students a sense of pride. They were super excited about the things that they’d learned [from the Junior Microsoft Expert program] and they felt value in that. It made all the curriculum more accessible to students because technology was never a hold-up in our classroom.”

Hollie Fisher, 4th grade teacher, Lakeside Elementary School, Davis County School District, Farmington, Utah

Ashtin Johnson, a 5th grade teacher at Kay’s Creek Elementary in DSD, has been implementing the Junior Microsoft Expert program in her grade level team for the last three years. Johnson has expanded upon the program by adding an end-of-the-year showcase where students share projects they created using the skills they learned. A few examples of projects from prior years’ showcases were the development of an app, the creation of marketing materials with a business partnership, and a 3D printed prosthetic for animals.

Additionally, Johnson boasts that the accessibility features that Microsoft provides, like Dictate and Immersive Reader, allow educators to enhance learning for all students. These features also enable her students to show learning in a variety of ways, such as developing a PowerPoint, Sway, or video, in addition to traditional methods like essays and tests.

Microsoft helps students right where they are. The 21st century learning skills that they learn aren’t just applicable [in the classroom]. They’re applicable as they go on into upper grades, into college, and into the workplace.”

Ashton Johnson, 5th grade teacher, Kay’s Creek Elementary School, Davis County School District, Farmington, Utah

Explore how the Davis County School District implemented remote and hybrid learning.

Honor women with Flip Live events

Learn more about the contributions of influential women during Flip Live events in March.

A Tribute to Mrs. Coretta Scott King with her Daughter Dr. Bernice A. King

March 8, 2023 at 10am PT

Flip Event ad for A Tribute to Mrs. Coretta Scott King with images of Coretta Scott King and date and time

A global thought leader, orator, peace advocate, and CEO of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center For Nonviolent Social Change, Dr. Bernice A. King, joins us as we celebrate one of the most prominent women leaders of our time, her mother, Mrs. Coretta Scott King. Her contributions as a human rights activist for social change and peace have had a global impact. She was a living example of faith, fortitude, and integrity. It’s with much gratitude that we celebrate her life and legacy for Women’s History Month.

Register for this free event.  

The Science of Speed with Olympic Gold Medalist Erin Jackson 

March 16, 2023 at 10am PT

Erin Jackson holding a gold medal from the Bejing Olympics

Did you ever get a science lesson from an Olympic Gold Medalist? Meet the fastest woman in the world—Erin Jackson! From as far back as she can remember, Erin Jackson has loved skating and science. Hear how she put those two things together to wind up on the cover of Sports Illustrated as the first Black woman in history to win an Olympic Gold Medal in speedskating! 

Register for this free event.

Women Inspiring Change: A Talk with Heather C. McGhee & Carlotta Walls LaNier

March 21, 2023 at 12pm PT

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Heather McGhee and Carlotta Walls LaNier, two Black women who have made significant contributions to the fight for social justice. Learn about their personal journeys and the importance of community activism in creating positive social change. Discover the role of education in building inclusiveness and understanding, and how their books can be used as resources to support teaching and learning about diversity and inclusion.

Register for this free event.

Throughout the year, with added emphasis in March, we honor women who are making an impact on teaching and learning. Take a moment to celebrate with Flip and continue improving your skills with Microsoft Educator programs.

The post Honoring women who make a difference appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

Technological breakthroughs have always been the harbinger of change and innovation. And today is no different. In the past three years, we have seen the education sector reach a turning point as schools around the world embark upon a journey of digital transformation. And while many saw this solely to mediate the challenges of a global health crisis, other schools used it as an opportunity for improvement and to go beyond the limitations of traditional education.

The Global Showcase Summit focused on improving student learning outcomes. Sessions were presented by industry experts who spoke on important topics, such as promoting educator well-being and why it is essential to ensure student success, why building accessibility into learning environments is not only smart but necessary, and how technology enables both educators and students to achieve more.

Participants also listened to leaders of Showcase Schools in various countries, who were eager to share the best practices, tools, and services that allowed them to succeed. In an impressive display of creativity and goal-oriented thinking, the approaches ranged from highly innovative to profoundly inspiring. Educators used a variety of digital tools and services such as Microsoft Teams, OneNote and Minecraft: Education Edition to deliver engaging content that captivated students’ attention and made them want to learn more.

Seamlessly incorporating technology into the learning experience to improve outcomes

One such example was Southridge Tech Middle School, a public learning institution for middle schoolers in grade six to eight. The Fontana California based school inspires students to become innovative, independent, and excellent citizens who thrive in an ever-changing competitive world. Its digital transformation strategy prioritizes learners’ needs and prospects by incorporating technology in a seamless and intuitive way.

This can be as simple as using Microsoft Teams for collaboration, something that the teachers and students loved to do even before the pandemic when it became necessary. Another way the school enriched its digital offering is by enabling students to enroll in a digital arts class such as digital photography.

Those who take up music are encouraged by teachers to record themselves at the beginning, middle, and end of the year. Seeing how much progress they’ve made always gives learners a much-appreciated confidence boost. The school promotes the use of technology in ways that align with students’ existing interests. One creative solution involved starting a podcast for students looking to learn Spanish.

We’ve been figuring out ways to incorporate technology that is natural and helps students develop skills that they can carry into future grade levels. And high schools love receiving our students because they are innovative and creative and they have skills that can help with learning in the classroom.”

Roy Rogers, Principal, Southridge Tech Middle School

At Southridge Tech there is also a significant interest in STEM subjects. Educators have been using Microsoft’s Hacking STEM lessons to enhance their mathematics classes. While students’ love for Minecraft: Education Edition led the school to create a dedicated space where they can play during lunch.

The school also hosts special technology showcase events where educators promote the best tech-based projects developed by students to demonstrate their learnings. The exhibits range from robots to E-Sports and there is even an all-girls event scheduled to take place in March in honor of International Women’s Month.

Using games to equip students with future-ready skills

Herenwegschool is a Christian primary school from the Netherlands for children four to twelve years old, that is committed to making learning fun. The school regularly uses Minecraft: Education Edition to teach students about a variety of subjects and help them develop key skills within the 6C model – critical thinking & problem solving, communication, creativity and imagination, character building, collaboration, and cognitive skills.

There are multiple game worlds that provide students with a wide range of challenges. During a lesson about climate change, students had to defend a small village against rising sea levels. Just like in real life, players needed to consult with the townspeople to decide between raising the sea barrier or building windmills.

On a different occasion, the children visited an in-game version of the Gallery of Honor, the real-life museum that holds the most famous Dutch paintings. Inspired by the film “A night at the museum,” the works of art “came to life” in the game and players had to catch the characters and bring them back to their corresponding paintings. Later, the children visited the actual gallery and were easily able to pick out the artworks.

Similarly, when students at Herenwegschool who had immigrated from Ukraine wanted to show their classmates the beauty of Kyiv, the teachers contacted someone who had built a detailed model of the capital city in Minecraft. Students were free to roam the open world and even add to it by building rainbow crosswalks and playgrounds.

One of the biggest challenges came when the children had to build The City of Our Future. Players had to use their imagination to design a sustainable city that employed current and future technologies. Students were given six ideas to focus on when developing their project: the air, the water, their neighborhood, healthy food, infrastructure and technology.

How project-based learning enables students to impact the world

Escola Bosque is a private school in Brazil with almost 300 students between the ages of two and fourteen years old. It has been a proud Showcase School for the last six years. Escola Bosque’s mission is to foster each student’s well-being as a foundation for academic and life success and provide experiences that enable them to be more empathetic, engaged, collaborative, and passion-driven learners.

Escola Bosque prioritizes project-based learning as a more dynamic classroom approach that allows students to actively explore real-world problems and acquire a deeper knowledge. They believe projects promote integrated learning opportunities by connecting many subjects at the same time.

Innovation in education is a shift in mindset. Most schools are still content-based and teacher-centered. But to be innovative they must change their perspective on the teaching and learning processes and adopt a student-centered approach.”

Silvia Scuracchi, Principal and Head of Innovation, Escola Bosque, Brazil

Students at Escola Bosque recorded multiple podcasts on sustainability, nature conservation and other environmental challenges as part of the Blue Economy Project, which gave them the opportunity to contribute to real-life initiatives. The podcasts were published on Flip and were even broadcasted on the local radio station.

Showcase School Summit Biggest Impact Awards

Every year at the Showcase School Summit, we recognize schools that went above and beyond.  These schools led education transformation and achieved high levels of innovation and expertise in the optimal use of technology in teaching and learning. Their impact didn’t stop there, they expanded their reach to help other schools acquire new knowledge and abilities to implement and sustain transformation in their environments. Their passion to improve education for all students is an inspiration to every school around the world.  

This year’s winners of the Biggest Impact Award are: 

• EMEA: Kherson Gymnasium # 1, Ukraine 
• Asia: De La Salle University – Dasmarinas, Philippines 
• Americas: GOAL Academy, USA

Join Microsoft Showcase School program

If you are a school leader who is interested in joining the Showcase School program, please follow these steps:

• Review the Microsoft Education Transformation Framework.
• Find out where your school is on the transformation journey by consulting the Showcase School rubric and decide which areas you’d like your school to grow.
• Learn about the Showcase School program engagement process and fill out a self-nomination form for your school.

Stay in touch with us by:

• Joining the Microsoft Learn Education Center.
• Subscribing to our Microsoft Education YouTube channel.
• Following us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to stay up to date on the latest news and resources to support teaching and learning, no matter where you live.

The post Schools promote digitally enhanced learning experiences at the Showcase School Summit appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.