Sometimes professional learning is done in a single day. This summer in Elmira, we got the chance to do something much bigger.
Edtomorrow co-founder John Whalen, Denise “Circlemamma” Holliday, and “Mr. Brian” Mannas spent the summer working with educators, support staff, and leadership teams across nearly every building in the Elmira City School District.
The goal wasn’t simply to introduce a few resources. It was to help each team figure out how those resources could actually fit their students, schedules, classrooms, and systems.
Teams explored ways to use the First Five and Classroom Circles, while also getting hands-on with some of our newest Teacher Tools, including EdBoard, EdQuiz, and the Edtomorrow databases. One of our favorite parts was watching educators begin connecting the dots and realizing how differently these tools could work depending on their role and the students they serve.
We also spent time planning beyond the training itself.
At the elementary level, teams explored how the First Five could strengthen existing morning meetings and classroom routines. At the secondary level, conversations focused on transitions, advisory structures, relationship-building, and finding realistic places within the school day where these practices can live.
Building leadership teams worked alongside us to create plans that fit their individual schedules and systems, with the bigger goal of making this work sustainable throughout the year.
And we aren’t finished.
After seeing so many great things happening across Elmira last school year, we’re excited to continue collaborating with their teams, learning alongside them, and seeing what develops this year.
Want to learn more? If you’re an educator or school leader interested in the work we’re doing with Elmira and other districts around the country, reach out to the Edtomorrow team anytime. We’d love to talk about what this kind of partnership could look like in your school or district.
Ask Eddy Question of the Week
Each week, our on-site helper, Eddy, gets tons of questions from educators looking for help finding resources, using our Teacher Tools, or coming up with new ways to make Edtomorrow content work in their classrooms. Each Thursday, we’ll share one real question that was asked to Eddy, along with the answer.
This week’s question:
“Can you turn today’s First Five into a Classroom Circle script?”
Yes! Eddy can take components from today’s First Five and help turn them into a ready-to-use Classroom Circle. Eddy can suggest a Circle Opening, pull together questions for the discussion, and even help create a Circle Closing.
Eddy can also suggest simple circle guidelines or norms to help the conversation run smoothly.
One important reminder: when using a Classroom Circle, you’ll want to use a talking piece so everyone knows whose turn it is to speak and each voice has space to be heard.
Want an even better Circle from Eddy? Tell him your grade level, approximately how much time you have, and about how many participants will be in the Circle. The more context you give Eddy, the more he can tailor the experience to your group.
Have a question of your own? Ask Eddy and see what he can help you build.
Last Chance for Our Back-to-School Plus Deal
Our Back-to-School First Five Plus offers end September 30.
Start the year with more access to First Five Plus and choose the option that works best for you:
- Get your first month for just 99¢ with code BTS99
- Save 40% on an annual subscription with code BTS40
Enter your code at checkout before September 30, 2026, and start exploring everything First Five Plus has to offer.
-Edtomorrow Team