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Erin Werra Blogger, Researcher, and Edvocate

Erin spent sixteen+ years learning, then launched a professional career delving into the inner workings of practice, data, and edtech in K-12 schools. You can find her unraveling trends and traditions for Advancing K12, on Twitter, and on Medium.

What Do We Really Know About Screen Time? #Technology

What used to be a matter of parenting opinion has moved into the realm of vocational requirement. We know kids are going to be using screens in and... by Erin Werra

3 Contradictions Between Research and Practice #Leadership

Schools (and vendors) love to tout research-based solutions, processes, and practices. But is “research-based” really all it’s... by Erin Werra

Talking to Parents About Digital Citizenship #Leadership

Parents may have various qualms about technology. Most of them boil down to one thing: protecting kids. Digital citizenship skills can help. by Erin Werra

One-Page Pitch: Digital Badging #Leadership

The Advancing K12 One-Page Pitch Series is designed to help you lead from within. Our inaugural pitch: Digital badging for professional development! by Erin Werra

High-Tech HR: One-Way Video Interviews #Business

Imagine interviewing every single applicant while speeding up the first-round process. Unbelievable? Believe it! Here's how. by Erin Werra

6 Surefire Cures for Initiative Fatigue #Leadership

Or, how to keep your eyes on the prize and refrain from chasing the latest, shiniest trend. by Erin Werra

View more Advancing K12 articles by Erin

All Articles by Erin

What Do We Really Know About Screen Time? #Technology

What used to be a matter of parenting opinion has moved into the realm of vocational requirement. We know kids are going to be using screens in and... by Erin Werra

3 Contradictions Between Research and Practice #Leadership

Schools (and vendors) love to tout research-based solutions, processes, and practices. But is “research-based” really all it’s... by Erin Werra

Talking to Parents About Digital Citizenship #Leadership

Parents may have various qualms about technology. Most of them boil down to one thing: protecting kids. Digital citizenship skills can help. by Erin Werra

One-Page Pitch: Digital Badging #Leadership

The Advancing K12 One-Page Pitch Series is designed to help you lead from within. Our inaugural pitch: Digital badging for professional development! by Erin Werra

High-Tech HR: One-Way Video Interviews #Business

Imagine interviewing every single applicant while speeding up the first-round process. Unbelievable? Believe it! Here's how. by Erin Werra

6 Surefire Cures for Initiative Fatigue #Leadership

Or, how to keep your eyes on the prize and refrain from chasing the latest, shiniest trend. by Erin Werra

3 Steps for Building an Awesome Brand #Culture

Ace school branding, with bonus advice from the superintendent who (literally) wrote the book on it. by Erin Werra

6 Roles Technology Can Play in the Hiring Process #Technology

These six tools, from emerging tech to tried-and-true strategies, can save time and effort in the recruiting process. by Erin Werra

7 News Literacy Strategies for All Ages #Achievement

How do we build a healthy skepticism to navigate the Internet’s endless content offerings? Most importantly, how do we share our strategies... by Erin Werra

Meritorious: The Gold Standard for School Budgets #Business

Budgets: A necessary task, or an art form? by Erin Werra

The Perils and Promise of K12 Crowdfunding #Business

What if you could skip the sales and go directly to donations for classroom supplies, edtech, or other initiatives? by Erin Werra

10 New Year's Resolutions for School Leaders #Leadership

A collection of initiatives (and supporting materials) to consider after the clock strikes midnight. by Erin Werra

3 Conversations to Follow in 2019 #Leadership

What’s on the horizon for the New Year? We’re keeping a weather eye on boosting computer science for early learners, digital badging... by Erin Werra

What is Arena Scheduling? #Achievement

If you're looking to increase student engagement, accountability, time management, and much more, why not give arena scheduling a try? by Erin Werra

The 6-Step Fraud Test #Business

Few things can be more devastating to a school district than a major fraud scandal. In this article, we explore six areas worthy of the occasional... by Erin Werra

3 Ways for Students to Steal Your Password #Technology

Kids are craftier than ever these days, but with a little awareness you can stay one step ahead. Featured: Three 1-Minute Security Drill videos. by Erin Werra

What School Choice Means for Edubranding #Leadership

In the age of choice, what can educational leaders do to turn their schools and districts into desirable destinations for families and job candidates? by Erin Werra

What is Whole-Child Education? #Achievement

Schools are nurturing multiple facets of child development. But how does whole-child education work? by Erin Werra

10 Districts with Awesome Brands #Culture

These 10 school districts identified why their district is awesome, then structured everything they do around it to produce a noteworthy brand. by Erin Werra

The Attendance Nudge #Achievement

By analyzing studies conducted in school districts using attendance letters, we can learn the best ways to nudge parents into becoming attendance... by Erin Werra

Why Can't We Get Teacher Evals Right? #Leadership

What does the research say about teacher evaluation, and what are some of the most common takeaways from recent studies? by Erin Werra

4 Paths to Student Accountability #Culture

Explore four strategies to maximize students' opportunities to develop accountability, practice self-management, and gain essential skills they... by Erin Werra

Who is Responsible for Mental Health? #Culture

Staff responsibilities overlap, data goes unanalyzed, and students (or teachers) line up at overwhelmed counselors’ doors. How do schools... by Erin Werra

10 Do's and Don'ts for Effective Teacher Mentorship #Leadership

Looking to boost teacher retention, build a strong school culture, and contribute to new teachers' professional growth? Learn 10 tips for... by Erin Werra

Midyear Check-In: 2018 Conversation Topics #Leadership

We've been closely following 3 key education topics in 2018. See what the past six months have revealed and what to keep an eye on in the... by Erin Werra

Maslow and the Modern Learning Environment #Achievement

What can psychology tell us about creating a motivating learning environment? Explore the connections between Maslow's Hierarchy of Human Needs... by Erin Werra

4 Paths to Safer Schools #Culture

Without a foolproof formula for school safety, how do you tackle such a serious topic? Find action items in four areas of opportunity, including... by Erin Werra

The Right Fit: SEL and Technology #Technology

Social-emotional learning and technology: Two inescapable topics in education today. But how do the two overlap to improve outcomes for students... by Erin Werra

5 Tech-Friendly ESSA Plans #Technology

Which states have the clearest plans to fuel innovation in teaching and learning in the years to come? These five ESSA plans stand out from the rest. by Erin Werra

Hanging Out with the Chrome Squad #Achievement

Royse City ISD’s Connected for Learning (C4L) leader Cody Holt and his student-led IT team, the Chrome Squad, share their story about the... by Erin Werra

3 Top-Tier RTI Districts #Achievement

Response to Intervention has been around for a while and is widely recognized, but not every implementation is created equal. Three districts with... by Erin Werra

4 Ways to Build a Better Schedule #Leadership

Scheduling is one of the most time-consuming yet rewarding tasks in school operations. These student-centered and flexible scheduling methods are... by Erin Werra

What is Decaying Average? #Achievement

When it comes to standards-based grading, what's the best way to measure growth and proficiency? Many districts are turning to the Decaying... by Erin Werra

5 Ways to Track SEL Efforts #Data

How do you measure the important business of social-emotional growth and wellbeing without falling back on emojis and sticker charts? Here are five... by Erin Werra

The Yin and Yang of Augmented Reality #Technology

Augmented reality: trendy or troubling? Let’s take a look at the potential for AR in education and the potential pitfalls it poses. by Erin Werra

4 Ways to Improve the Substitute Teaching Experience #Culture

How do you attract and keep good substitute teachers in your classrooms? By adjusting your processes to deliver a better experience, of course! by Erin Werra

The Road to Connected Schools #Technology

Broadband is a necessity for learning in a digital world, but remote, rural schools are being left in the dust. Read on for an examination of... by Erin Werra

3 Conversations to Follow in 2018 #Leadership

Goodbye, 2017! The new year sets the stage for fresh ideas. Here are three topics sure to make an impact in 2018.
by Erin Werra

The 5 Most Popular Articles of 2017 #Culture

This year, Advancing K12 readers were all in on school PR, data stewardship, and the ever-expanding role schools play in our children's lives... by Erin Werra

The Quest for Parent Portal Buy-In #Technology

Parent portals give teachers a central location to manage communication. But do parents really log in to continue the conversation? If not, how can... by Erin Werra

Keeping Top Teachers in the Classroom #Leadership

Are teachers left with little choice but to “outgrow” the classroom to pursue admin roles? Find out how to identify and invest in your... by Erin Werra

8 Great Data-Sharing Districts #Data

Data shapes the day-to-day operations of schools. How can you improve and clarify the conversation? Check out 8 great examples of data visibility. by Erin Werra

Is This the End of Grades? #Achievement

Classrooms, schools, and districts are abandoning the traditional method of grading with letters and percentages. Find out why and learn what's... by Erin Werra

View less Advancing K12 articles by Erin

Introducing the Product Ideas Portal #Product Updates

Now there’s an even easier way to share the great ideas you have for software enhancements. by Erin Werra

Integrate Your Vending Machines with Skyward #Tips

Adding a vending machine for reimbursable meals is almost like adding an additional point of sale (POS) lunch line—hold the labor costs. by Erin Werra

Don't Get Burned on Reimbursement #Tips

What if your expense reimbursements became public knowledge tomorrow? Would you have anything to worry about? by Erin Werra

Packing Light for Qmlativ #Tips

Prepare your data now and make the shift to Qmlativ easier later! by Erin Werra

Improving Your Dashboard #Tips

Learn some tips and tricks to freshen up your dashboards and get the right data into the right place. We'll cover all four products and product... by Erin Werra

View more Educator articles by Erin

External Publications

4 Ways to Build a Better Schedule

Source: Getting Smart

Learning Environments Geared for Maximum Motivation

Source: eSchool News

4 Ways to Promote Student Accountability

Source: Getting Smart

10 Districts with Awesome Brands

Source: eSchool News

3 Ways for Students to Steal Your Password

Source: Emerging EdTech