We are thrilled to announce a fresh set of columns in the Voices section of The Learning Professional. Throughout 2025, three talented, thoughtful, and deeply committed educators will be sharing their unique perspectives on topics that are important to our readers. The authors joining us this year are Kim Richardson, Chris DeGuzman, and A.J. Juliani.
Kim Richardson is writing on the importance and often untapped power of teacher leadership in a column called “Teachers are leaders.” Chris DeGuzman will be offering wisdom and concrete tips for nurturing ourselves in the “The whole educator.” And, A.J. Juliani, one of our keynote speakers from the 2024 Learning Forward Conference, is writing a feature called “Next Gen Learning” that will keep readers up to date with the dynamic intersection among education, technology, and student engagement.
Richardson’s first column makes a case for why we need teacher leaders and how system-strengthening change is possible when this group of educators is empowered, whether they lead from outside the classroom or within it. Richardson is an ICF Professional Certified Coach, a consultant, the Regional Engagement Director for Learning Forward Virginia, and Director of Induction and Development for Hampton City Schools in Virginia. Visit her website to learn more.
Throughout all her roles, Richardson has learned that the key to success is continued learning and growth. She believes that leaders must learn to develop the skills and strategies for leading and interacting well with others. “By providing access to meaningful leadership opportunities, school and district leaders can leverage teachers’ vantage points and experience, creating an environment where educators feel valued and invested in the mission of their school and district,” she writes. Teacher leader contributions set the stage for sustainable improvement across a system.
DeGuzman is a health and wellness coach for educators, adjunct professor for Anne Arundel Community College’s coaching program, and a former public school teacher and principal. She is kicking off her column with a reminder that we could all use a little more love in the world. Her first installment, aptly titled “Leading with love,” offers leadership tips while simultaneously caring for the self and others. Find out more about DeGuzman here.
Because educators tend to care so deeply about the work, they also put a lot of pressure on themselves in the name of holding high expectations in serving their students and staff, DeGuzman says. “Leading with love takes intentional effort that can easily be buried under all the other expectations that come with school leadership,” she writes. Since every leader must find their own way to do this, she suggests helpful considerations for mapping this out.
In his column, Juliani plans to tackle some of the many questions he heard at our national conference in Denver. In the first installment of “Next Gen Learning,” Juliani writes that schools must make professional learning meaningful if they want their educators to prioritize it among all their other duties. He offers four ways to elevate educator engagement in professional learning that can be implemented right away.
“Think about your yearly professional learning calendar as a way to support district initiatives and goals, but also to build on pockets of innovation that are naturally happening in your organization,” he says. Juliani is an author, speaker, founder of Adaptable Learning, and an instructor at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education. Learn more about him on his website and read his tips for using A.I. wisely in The Learning Professional.
We are grateful for the insights offered by our 2024 guest columnists and invite our members to check out Ayesha’s Farag’s “Focus on principals,” Jody Spiro and colleagues’ “Leadership teams,” and our Changemakers feature highlighting learning professionals making a difference in the field. We extend a hearty thanks to Farag and Spiro for their timely contributions and for sharing actionable ideas with our readers.
Learning Forward’s CEO, Frederick Brown, will continue his “Call to action” column, highlighting connections between each journal’s theme, The Standards for Professional Learning, and the current moment. The Member spotlight feature will also carry on, shining the light on districts and Learning Forward members. We’ll showcase professional learning pros in a range of systems and contexts, how they integrate Learning Forward resources into their work, and how they align professional learning best practices with what matters most—student success. If you are a member interested in being profiled, please reach out to publications@learningforward.org.
