Thank You for Another Wonderful Year!

Thank You for Another Wonderful Year!

June 26th, 2026

As we wrap up another school year, I simply want to say thank you.

Whether you attended one of our workshops, invited me to work with your faculty, enrolled in one of the online courses, replied to one of these newsletters, or simply spent a few minutes reading along each Friday, thank you for being here.

I never take that support for granted.

Looking back, it has been an incredibly rewarding year.

Together, we explored everything from the new Extended Essay guidance from the IB to Strategically Managing the IB Core, all aspects of IB Economics, and the launch of our new teacher workshop focused on Theory of Knowledge.

We welcomed thousands of new students into the Online Courses and School Memberships, worked with schools across four continents, launched new resources, and had the opportunity to meet so many thoughtful educators who care deeply about their students and their craft.

Every workshop and every conversation reminds me of something I already knew but continue to appreciate more and more each year...

No matter where we teach, we're all trying to do the same thing.

We're trying to make our lessons a little more engaging, our feedback a little more meaningful, and our classrooms places where students can think more deeply, become more curious, and leave a little more prepared for whatever comes next.

That shared purpose is one of the things I love most about the IB community.

It has also been another year of learning for me.

Each school I visit, every question someone asks during a workshop, and every email I receive gives me another opportunity to rethink something, improve a resource, or look at an old problem in a new way.

For that, I am very grateful.

I'd also like to thank my good friend and colleague Kurt Supplee for another outstanding year of collaboration. Our work together on the IB Core continues to be one of the most enjoyable parts of what I do, and I am incredibly grateful for his friendship, wisdom, and willingness to keep pushing new ideas forward.

I'm also excited to be collaborating with Sofia Elizalde next month as we launch our new Theory of Knowledge New Teacher Workshop. I think it's going to be a wonderful addition to what we offer, and we're both looking forward to working with teachers who are beginning their TOK journey.

If you're still interested in joining us for that workshop on July 23rd and 24th, or the IB Economics New Teacher Workshop on July 25th and 26th, there are still a few spots available. It's a great way to kick off the new school year with clarity and confidence.

For now, this newsletter is going to be put to sleep for a bit and then return on August 14th.

Between now and then, I hope you have the opportunity to step away from school for a while.

Read a few good books.

Spend time with the people who matter most.

Travel somewhere new if you can.

And come back refreshed for another year of helping young people learn.

Thank you again for allowing me to be a small part of your professional journey this year.

What we do matters, and we really do make a difference in young people's lives.

Have a wonderful summer.

Be good out there.

And we'll see you in August.

Upcoming Workshops and Opportunities...

If your school would like a tailored training on the updated Extended Essay guidelines, we’d love to help—onsite at your campus or live online—just send me an email at [email protected] and we’ll work together to make it happen.

Theory of Knowledge New Teacher Workshop - July 23rd & 24th, 2026 - Designed for teachers new to Theory of Knowledge, this two-day training co-taught by Brad Cartwright and Sofía Elizalde offers a clear, practical roadmap for teaching TOK with confidence. Together, we will explore the core components of the IB Diploma Programme, the purpose and structure of the TOK course, key assessment criteria, the TOK Exhibition, the TOK Essay, and classroom strategies that support thoughtful discussion, meaningful reflection, and strong student writing.

IB Economics New Teacher Training - July 25th & 26th, 2026 - Designed specifically for teachers new to IB Economics, this two-day teacher training program will give you a practical roadmap to begin your IB Economics teaching career feeling confident, prepared, and calm.