Wildfires in Southern California have forced the closure of 335 schools, affecting more than 211,000 students, as educators step up to provide support and shelter. Educators are working to support displaced students and families, even as some have lost their own homes, and are providing emotional support to students affected by the wildfires, recognizing the trauma and uncertainty they face.

Eighth-grade students at St. Mary's School in Johnson City, Tenn., engaged in a real-time research project, documenting the effects of Hurricane Helene as they happened. The project, led by social studies and language arts teacher Kim Kenneson, involved analyzing news reports, social media posts and conducting interviews, and replaced the students' annual capstone research project.

If you're looking to create a connected culture for your teams, Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni embodies three habits you should develop, writes Michael Lee Stallard, including leading with consistent positivity, expressing appreciation and communicating a vision for the future. "This level of trust and respect makes the Eagles' team dynamic stronger and more cohesive, as players are more receptive to coaching and more willing to push themselves for the collective good of the team," Stallard writes.

Chris Reul, a health and physical education teacher at Grass Lake High School in Michigan, has significantly impacted students by starting a powerlifting program that has grown from five to 125 participants since 2018. Reul, also an assistant varsity football coach, draws inspiration from his own high school experiences and aims to be a positive role model, emphasizing the importance of human interaction and personal connections in education.

AI tools such as ChatGPT and Gemini are increasingly used in education, offering personalized learning and administrative support, but their integration is often limited to individual teachers rather than systematic approaches, says Purdue University Professor William Watson. Watson highlights the potential of AI to transform education by tailoring learning to individual students' needs but also notes challenges such as cheating, data privacy and the need for AI literacy.

There is no easy answer. Joyous learning is complex—and worth the work. Read more from Lauren Porosoff, author of Teach for Authentic Engagement, in the new issue of EL.

A focus on brain-friendly instruction promotes connection and engagement—and brings a breath of fresh air to learning. Read more from Katie Egan Cunningham and Kristin Rainville, professors of education at Sacred Heart University, in the new issue of EL.

Paraprofessionals in the Holiday Hill PRIDE program in Duval County, Fla., are raising alarms about the challenges of overcrowded classrooms. They highlight the decrease in the number of teachers, which has led to larger class sizes than the intended low student-teacher ratio. Currently, classes that should have seven or eight students now exceed 14, making it difficult to address students' individual education plans.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has proposed providing free breakfast and lunch to all students regardless of income -- a plan that would close the gap for about 300,000 students who currently do not qualify for free meals. The proposal, part of Hochul's 2025 State of the State, aims to save parents an estimated $165 per month per child and requires approval from the state Legislature.

The use of sight words in early education is being scrutinized as the science of reading movement emphasizes phonics instruction. While sight words are often taught through memorization, experts like Kari Kurto of the Reading League advocate for phonics to help children recognize words automatically, and Tim Shanahan, an emeritus professor at the University of