Our monthly connection to share ideas, resources, and inspiration that support empowered teaching and learning. Each month, we highlight one concept to think about, one great idea to try, and keep you connected to what's ahead.

The first weeks of school can bring a lot at once. New people, new information, new opportunities to connect and plenty of competing priorities. When everything feels important, it can be difficult to know where to focus. One place to begin is with the people in front of us.

For educators, that means connecting with learners, not only learning names or reviewing assessment information, but becoming curious about who they are. What are they interested in? What are they proud of? When do they light up? What helps them feel confident enough to participate, take a risk, or ask for help? Those everyday interactions give us information that a score or file cannot. They help us understand the learner within their culture, context and community and make more intentional decisions about what they may need next.

Sometimes the clearest next step comes from the people closest to the work. What are they experiencing? What's working? Where are they feeling stretched, and what are they already trying? Those conversations can tell us a lot. They may point to something worth protecting, a barrier that could be removed, a useful connection or resource or simply where a little more support could make a difference.

If you could improve one thing this year, what would make the greatest difference?

Before deciding what to do, consider: what do you already know about it? What are learners, staff, families, your own experience, and the evidence around you already telling you? Once you know where to focus, the next step is to make that focus manageable.

Putting learners at the centre doesn't mean we have to have every answer or provide every experience ourselves.

Sometimes the right connection can bring a new voice, perspective, experience or expertise into learning. Connected North makes those connections possible through live, interactive sessions with artists, authors, scientists, knowledge holders, organizations and other experts. Once you know what your learners are curious about, choose a Connected North session that builds on that interest.

Connection matters for educators, too. Learn Different offers professional learning through Connected North, providing opportunities to learn alongside others, explore practical ideas and strengthen practice.

You don't have to do it all alone. Sometimes the next step is knowing who, or what to connect with.

Learn Different began in 2016 with a vision of empowering educators. Since then, our work has grown and evolved through what we have learned alongside educators, communities and partners across Canada.

Today, our work spans different places, people and areas of learning, from literacy, numeracy and assessment to professional learning, culturally responsive learning and resource development, leadership, implementation and capacity building.

Each context gives us something to learn from, and helps us notice which ideas, questions and resources are actually useful in practice. As a new school year begins, we continue to evolve in how we connect, listen and support learning. Each month, InTouch will offer a closer look at our people, our current work, and the interests and expertise shaping what we do.

We hope it helps you get to know us,
and gives us more opportunities to get to know you.

From Nunavut and the Yukon to northwestern and southern Ontario, we learn alongside schools, boards and partners in communities across the country.

Have a question about a learner, instruction, assessment, implementation or something you are trying to figure out? We'll respond to every question, and each month we'll choose one for a complimentary 30-minute conversation with a Learn Different consultant to explore it together.

Forward this to a colleague or sign up to get InTouch in your own inbox each month.