Don Sturm is 🤔
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sturmdon.bsky.social
Don Sturm is 🤔
@sturmdon.bsky.social
1.1K followers 990 following 410 posts
TIS MCUSD, Illinois Digital Educators Alliance (IDEA) President, An asker of questions! Passionate about providing Ss with a relevant edu! #709AlwaysLearning, #IHaveQuestions #EDUsky
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sturmdon.bsky.social
October 20, 2025 at 4:55 PM
sturmdon.bsky.social
Excited to be in Naperville at the #ICIC conference. This morning is the @cultofpedagogy.bsky.social keynote. I am pumped to be hearing her in person after listening to her podcast for years!! #EduSky #instructionalcoaching
October 20, 2025 at 3:17 PM
sturmdon.bsky.social
In this episode from our series on change in education, @caeddleman.bsky.social and I explore how students experience change. #podcast #education

The link to the episode is in the bio.
September 28, 2025 at 8:47 PM
sturmdon.bsky.social
This is a great reminder moving into the new school year. #EduSky
August 12, 2025 at 11:19 AM
sturmdon.bsky.social
One of the most powerful gifts we can give students isn’t just knowledge…it’s the ability to think about their own thinking. #edusky
August 3, 2025 at 3:01 PM
sturmdon.bsky.social
It is that kind of night!🤬
June 28, 2025 at 1:28 AM
sturmdon.bsky.social
🎙️New episode🎙️

In Part 2 of our Educator Emotional Engagement series, @caeddleman.bsky.social and I explore what emotional engagement looks like from a teacher's perspective—why it matters, how it shows up, and what it costs (and gives back).
#EDUsky

⬇️Listen Here⬇️
open.spotify.com/episode/0GTK...
April 30, 2025 at 1:42 AM
sturmdon.bsky.social
Our newest episode has dropped. @caeddleman.bsky.social and I introduce the topic of teacher engagement. In this episode, we ask @mandyfroehlich.bsky.social to offer her thoughts about the topic. We would love for you to give it a listen. #EduSky #podcast @ideaillinois.bsky.social
April 4, 2025 at 7:26 PM
sturmdon.bsky.social
Learning isn’t just about absorbing information—it’s about experiencing, creating, and discovering. When we give students the tools to explore, we open the🚪 to deeper learning.

How do you help learners take ownership and agency in their journey?

#EduSky #IHaveQuestions @carriebaughcum.bsky.social
A quote from My Pencil Made Me Do It by Carrie Baughcum reads: “That means to shift from this ingrained thinking we need to give our learners words, give them new experiences, and take them on a new journey with their learning.” The right side of the image shows part of the book cover, featuring hand-drawn arrows, doodles, and pencils.
March 20, 2025 at 10:54 AM
sturmdon.bsky.social
Are our systems limiting human potential more than they should? Education often caters to the “average” student, but real learning happens when we recognize individual strengths.

How can we design classrooms that break free from one-size-fits-all thinking? #EduSky #IHaveQuestions
A quote from The End of Average by Todd Rose is displayed on the left, stating that human potential is less limited than the systems we create. The book cover is partially visible on the right, showing the title and author’s name.
March 19, 2025 at 11:10 AM
sturmdon.bsky.social
Do students really focus better with music, or does it just make work more enjoyable? This quote from Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance makes me wonder: Are we thinking deeply, or just “twiddling wrenches”?

How do you handle multitasking in your classroom? #EduSky #EduCoach
A quote from Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig is displayed on the left side, discussing how deep thinking and listening to the radio don’t mix. The book cover is partially visible on the right, showing the title and author’s name.
March 18, 2025 at 11:13 AM
sturmdon.bsky.social
How often do we assume students already know how to manage ⏰, track deadlines, or stay accountable? I know I overlooked direct instruction on these skills as a high school teacher. Explicit teaching of habits is key!

How do you help build these needed skills? #EduSky @mssackstein.bsky.social
An image featuring a quote from Hacking Homework by Starr Sackstein and Connie Hamilton. The quote discusses the importance of direct instruction in teaching students time management, accountability, and organization. Part of the book cover is visible on the right, showing a notebook, a wrench, and the Hack Learning Series logo.
March 15, 2025 at 12:30 PM
sturmdon.bsky.social
Our new episode is out. We just love talking with this great group of kids from the Henry Puffer Podcast Club. This is another episode that we recorded at #IDEAcon. @caeddleman.bsky.social @ideaillinois.bsky.social

⬇️Listen Here⬇️
open.spotify.com/episode/1Y8v...
March 8, 2025 at 2:42 PM
sturmdon.bsky.social
History isn’t just facts. It’s perspective, identity, and belonging. The way it’s taught shapes how students see themselves and their place in the world.

This isn’t about indoctrination; it’s about humanity. How do we ensure all students feel seen in the history they learn? #EduSky
A quote from the book All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson is displayed on a brown background. The quote reads: “The interesting thing about studying history is how much it starts to change based on the school setting and who is teaching it. And it’s not always about how those teachers view history, but how they view you. And your place in history.” Part of the book cover is visible on the right, showing the title and an illustration of a person with dark skin and a crown of yellow flowers.
March 6, 2025 at 12:25 PM
sturmdon.bsky.social
A new episode of CareU is out. In this episode, we help caregivers navigate the stressful topic of Assessments. Join Stephanie, Courtney, and me as we discuss this important topic. #CareU #assessment #education #edusky

⬇️Listen Here⬇️
open.spotify.com/episode/1xE2...
March 5, 2025 at 4:16 PM
sturmdon.bsky.social
A supportive learning environment helps students thrive—not by eliminating stress, but by teaching them how to navigate it. With the right foundation, challenges become opportunities for growth.

How do you create that balance in your classroom? #EduSky #EduCoach
Alt text: A quote from the book What Happened to You? by Oprah Winfrey and Bruce D. Perry. The quote reads: “With a safe and stable relational foundation, thousands of moderate doses of stress help create flexible stress-response capabilities.” Part of the book cover is visible on the right side.
March 5, 2025 at 11:57 AM
sturmdon.bsky.social
@meaganmacdonald.bsky.social and @erikainka.bsky.social I want to thank you for the @mirrortalk.ai reflection challenge you started at #IDEAcon. I just completed day 7.

I would love to keep this going…let’s chat!
@scandela9.bsky.social
The paragraph provides feedback on Don’s reflection about the challenge of knowing when to reflect. It acknowledges his insight and suggests setting specific times during the day for consistent reflection rather than waiting for the right moment. It encourages visualizing a routine, such as reflecting in the morning or during breaks, to integrate the habit into daily life. A concrete next step is to schedule reflection time on a calendar as a non-negotiable part of the day. This consistency will help track growth in thinking through regular feedback. Over time, this practice will deepen self-awareness, improve reflective habits, and identify trends that contribute to both personal and professional growth.
February 27, 2025 at 1:05 PM
sturmdon.bsky.social
In education, we often chase big moments of success, but real growth happens in the steady routines of daily learning.

Do we undervalue consistency and calm in the classroom? How do you find balance?

#EduSky #EduCoach #IHaveQuestions
A quote reads, “‘The boredom you speak of,’ Alabaster said. ‘It is what most of us call happiness.’” Below the quote, it says, “Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, Gabrielle Zevin.” To the right is part of the book cover, featuring colorful, stylized text with a wave-like design.
February 21, 2025 at 12:43 PM
sturmdon.bsky.social
I just completed Day 2 of the reflection challenge. #IDEAcon #EduSky #EduCoach
A screenshot of a digital reflection platform titled "IDEAcon REFLECT" with a section labeled "Day 2: IDEAcon Reflection." The reflection entry is authored by Don and dated February 20, 2025. A quote at the top reads, "It gives you perspective; it makes you a better person, a better worker." Below, a section labeled "Reflection 3" contains feedback, acknowledging Don’s thoughtful understanding of reflection as a tool for recognizing patterns in life and work, likening it to using fitness trackers for insights. The feedback suggests deepening the analysis by exploring specific examples of how reflections have led to improvements in behavior or performance. A small circular profile picture of Don is visible on the right side, with a yellow dot indicating interaction or video availability. The interface has a clean, minimalist design with a neutral color scheme.
February 20, 2025 at 11:43 PM
sturmdon.bsky.social
This session at #IDEAcon on reflection is such an important one. @meaganmacdonald.bsky.social and @erikainka.bsky.social hit it out of the park. @mirrortalk.ai @scandela9.bsky.social #EduSky #EduSky
A conference room with two presenters at the front of the room, engaging with an audience.
February 19, 2025 at 7:48 PM
sturmdon.bsky.social
@mrscford.bsky.social pumping up the #IDEAcon attendees on Day 2. @ideaillinois.bsky.social
Stefanie Crawford with glasses, wearing a denim shirt, dark jeans, and pink sneakers, stands on a stage holding a microphone. She has a lanyard with a conference badge around her neck. Behind her, a large screen displays a slide with text and a QR code, including the words “Students as Producers” and “Literacy Law.” The slide also features the IDEAcon logo. The stage is lit with blue and purple lighting, with geometric decorations hanging on the right side. A table with several awards is visible in the background.
February 18, 2025 at 2:10 PM
sturmdon.bsky.social
It's always a great day when you get to see @scandela9.bsky.social in person. #IDEAcon @ideaillinois.bsky.social @marcusluther.bsky.social
February 17, 2025 at 5:34 PM
sturmdon.bsky.social
Staring day 1 of #IDEAcon with a great opening keynote by @evohannan.bsky.social. @ideaillinois.bsky.social
A keynote speaker, Evo Hannan, stands on a stage at IDEAcon 2025 in Illinois, delivering a presentation. He is wearing a dark suit and gesturing with his hand while speaking. A large screen to his left displays a slide with the quote, “The most outstanding teachers promote life-long learning,” along with the IDEAcon logo. The stage has a geometric backdrop with blue and purple lighting. The foreground shows round tables and chairs arranged for the audience. A close-up of the presentation screen at IDEAcon 2025 in Illinois, displaying a slide with the quote, “The most outstanding teachers promote life-long learning.” The slide attributes the quote to Evo Hannan and discusses how great teachers connect with students deeply. The bottom of the slide includes the text, “THE POWER OF AN IDEA | EVO HANNAN | IDEACON 2025, ILLINOIS.” Captions from the live transcript are partially visible at the bottom of the screen.
February 17, 2025 at 2:37 PM
sturmdon.bsky.social
@evohannan.bsky.social is in the house and ready for his Monday keynote at #IDEAcon. @ideaillinois.bsky.social
February 16, 2025 at 9:06 PM
sturmdon.bsky.social
We tell students and colleagues that asking for help is a strength, but do we model it ourselves? When we openly seek support, we show others it is okay to do the same.

What is something you could use help with right now?

#EduSky #EduCoach #IHaveQuestions
A quote reads, “Just as it’s our responsibility to offer help to friends when they need it, it is our responsibility to ask for help when we need it.” Below the quote, it says, “Never Enough, Jennifer Breheny Wallace.” To the right is part of the book cover, featuring the title and an image of a burned matchstick.
February 16, 2025 at 1:08 PM