We're Hiring!

Connected Learning is looking to hire at least 2 people to lead our ambassador program!  Hire means we're paying you to do this gig :-).  Don't get excited, it's not much, but it's not nothing!

So here is the opportunity I want to provide you: LEAD Ambassador. By joining the  Ambassador Program as a LEAD Ambassador, you represent, promote, and champion the mission and vision of CL.  Not only are you the link between CL and all the other ambassadors, you're a link to multiple districts; you are also part of a community of the best and brightest educators in the area. If you’re interested in this opportunity, see the details below and apply. If you know someone else who might be interested, shoot it their way.

What is a Connected Learning Ambassador?
Simply stated, Ambassadors are volunteers who are willing to connect our organization with theirs.  This role would lead this group of amazing humans.

We ask Ambassadors to meet four times a year to connect. We share ideas and issues that are important in our organizations. We also want to hear about great opportunities you’ve had, struggles others  are facing, and who you think more people should know.


Two Way Communication
Our organization includes a connected network of over 3,000 educators. To better amplify and promote our events, we ask Ambassadors to share details about Connected Learning events within their organizations.


Fellowship and Fun
Education is hard. We meet in person to have fun, engage with like-minded people, and have fun while doing so. Everything works better when we enjoy what we do.


Volunteer When You Can
Attendees are always impressed with the amount of energy, professionalism, and competence of our team and appreciate the fun, welcoming atmosphere during our events. The success of our events is directly tied to the volunteerism of our Ambassador program.  Ambassadors attend our events as their schedules allow, smile, and interact with attendees helping to build and strengthen relationships.

Thank you for your interest in taking a step to be more involved with Connected Learning. If you have any questions or want to connect, I’d love to hear from you.

chris@clstl.org

Join the planning team to create year 15 of our annual UNconference celebrating learning across the Midwest region!

Our theme this year is going to be decided by you, planned by all of us and made amazing by so many others we bring into our space and on our team.

Join us!

What is Edcamp?

Edcamps are free public events that leverage the knowledge and experiences of attendees by allowing educators to collaboratively determine topics for discussion the day of the event.

Learn More from Digital Promise

Goals of Edcamp

• Empower Educators: To empower educators to share their knowledge, learn from peers, and network with like-minded professionals.

• Foster Innovation: To encourage innovation and creativity in education by providing a platform for educators to explore new ideas and approaches.

• Build Community: To create a supportive and collaborative community of educators who can learn and grow together.

• Address Specific Needs: To address the specific needs and challenges of educators in a particular field or region.

• Promote Professional Growth: To help educators develop their professional skills and advance their careers.

November 18th

A&S Teaching Innovation Showcase

From LEGO to AI to K-Pop: See How Innovation is Reshaping the Classroom

Do you want a first look at the creative approaches that could change the way courses are taught in Arts & Sciences? The Teaching Innovation Showcase is an opportunity to hear from innovative A&S faculty who are transforming the classroom learning experience. 

Expect quick & creative presentations from faculty along with refreshments and great conversation. After hearing from the finalists, the audience will vote to award a $1000 prize in each of the three categories below:

1. Incorporating technologies to enrich learning experience and outcomes

2. Integrating experiential elements that facilitate new skills development

3. Course, project, assignment, or activity design relating to Literacies for Life and Career or to cross-departmental/transdisciplinary opportunities

5:00-5:30 pm: Kick off the evening with good conversation and a drink.

5:30-6:30pm: Hear from our faculty innovators as they present their work-and cast your vote for the top presentations.

6:30-7:15pm: Enjoy light bites and discuss the classroom innovations you just learned about! The results of your votes will be announced at 7:15 PM.

Discovery Lunch & Learn - Monday, November 24, 2025

Join us for a free lunch and learn on how Otus can help district leaders, principals and teachers turn fragmented data into clear, actionable insight. Explore how districts are transitioning from static reports to real-time insights, highlighting the essential components driving this shift. This session will elaborate on how to directly support classroom decisions, team collaboration and strategic planning. RSVP via this link.

AI Showcase with schoolai - Thursday, December 4, 2025

This is immersive AI showcase facilitated by schoolai will bring together educators, leaders and technology specialists to explore both the opportunities and challenges AI brings to classrooms and districts, with practical strategies you can take back to your own setting.  Education leaders will experience real classroom applications, connect with peers tackling similar challenges and gain concrete strategies for meaningful AI implementation in K-12 settings. Register for this free event via this link. 

Thursday, December 11th, 2025

Writing Instruction in the Age of AI

The impact of AI on education is an evolving discussion. Join in!

Gateway Writing Project will host a one-day workshop on writing instruction in the age of AI. The session will explore how AI has shifted the foundation of our work with students considering the writing process and the products we ask students to create. We will explore digital literacy, curriculum integration of AI, and strategies for engaging students in authentic writing.

We will collectively share our experiences in order to learn about the successes, challenges, possibilities, and limitations of AI in our work while upholding our values about the beauty and power of writing.

Do you have a fresh, creative classroom project in mind? It's never too early to start thinking about the Innovator Grant!

This competitive grant funds creative thinking and innovative projects that level-up student learning and classroom teaching. This year, we awarded $296,047 to 5 area schools.

Our next grant cycle opens in less than 2 months. Click here to learn more!

If you'd like to nominate someone for our "Feature a Teacher" Friday, fill out the google form below!

• Uncharted Territory - Steelcase - Macro shifts impacting work

• Neuroscience of Community with David Rock (S1:E2) - Steelcase

• Embracing the Human Factor - Steelcase

• HEHE, almost as good as “let me google that for you” Stop Citing AI

• The genius of the amateur

• Notes on Being a Man, and Advice for Young Men Who Are Feeling Lost — Scott Galloway - The Blog of Author Tim Ferriss

• Why It Can Be Good to Doubt Yourself

• The AI Tool EVERYONE Should Be Using

• Podcast: The Power of Gratitude with Dr. Laurie Santos

• Resources to bring gratitude into your classroom: Gratitude Curricula | Greater Good Science Center

• How to Teach Material that Doesn’t Fit into a Project | HTH Unboxed