Every educator has a turning point. For Dr. Michelle Eckler, the post-pandemic landscape sparked a total career transformation. Dr. Eckler’s story traces a path from the initial ISTE Educator certification, to becoming an ISTE 20 to Watch honoree and, eventually, a Director of Instructional Technology leading the way in her district in the implementation of high-quality technology supported teaching and learning. By sharing the hurdles and triumphs of earning both the Educator and Instructional Leader designations and supporting a local semi-private cohort of educators, this story illustrates how personal professional growth can lead to systemic change.

What's behind the ideas shaping education today? Find out during EL Authors Live! — a series of quick, candid 20-minute conversations where ISTE+ASCD Community Leaders sit down with authors from Educational Leadership magazine to dig into their work. In this session, author Isabelle Hau discusses with Michelle Eckler how fostering belonging can enhance and nurture student curiosity, based on her article in the April 2026 issue, “Igniting Curiosity in Schools.”

Makerspaces are not just reserved for libraries or ed-tech classrooms. Teachers of all subject areas can benefit from maker space projects in their classrooms. This playground will encourage educators to engage in hands-on activities in their classrooms.