LINKS FOR YOU
📚 How to Build a PBL Unit Around a Novel Exploring discovery and analysis in literature classes
➗ Discover 3 Questions for Effective Teaching Weighing Inquiry-Based Learning and Direct Instruction in Elementary Math
❤️ Why Emotional Well-being is Important for Teachers. How to Support Teachers' Emotional Health
📈 What Federal Data tells us about the Challenges of finding Teachers. A Closer Look.
❓Boosting Engagement in all Stages of Instruction. How 'Would You Rather' Questions Can Support Higher-Order Thinking
GRANTS FOR PD
💻 Computer Science Professional Development Program 2025 supports computer science training for high schools adding new courses, prioritizing rural and high-need schools.
🎶 Michigan's $8.4 million K-5 Music and Visual Arts Grant supports schools in establishing or enhancing arts programs with certified teachers and dedicated spaces
🚀 2024-2025 Empowering ECSE Educators to Improve Student Outcomes Grant Texas launches funding for specialized training and dual certification
📚 Multi-year funding of $52 million through Kentucky's Comprehensive Literacy Grant aims to boost PreK-12 reading and writing instruction.
💰 $1.3 million in WorkAbility I funding empowers California high schools to transform employment outcomes for students with disabilities through hands-on job training
JOBS
🚸 Preschool Teacher at Primrose School of Long Grove, IL
🔬 Inspire future scientists as a High School Biology Teacher in San Bernardino, CA!
📚 Director of EdTech and Digital Learning at Assabet Valley Reg. Tech. High School, Marlborough, MA
🔏 Shape young minds and make a difference in Texas School Psychologist positions available in Cypress Fairbanks ISD
🌟 Help lead the vision in Los Alamos Public Schools as an Assistant Principal Middle School in New Mexico
ONE BIG IDEA
Cybersecurity is more than just strong passwords and antivirus software.
It's a comprehensive approach to protecting digital assets, personal information, and institutional resources from unauthorized access and attacks.
Think of it as a digital immune system that protects everything from student records and grades to financial information and communication systems.
In education, cybersecurity protects student data, secures online platforms, and safeguards financial and academic records.
It's the invisible shield that allows modern education to function safely in our interconnected world.
School districts have become prime targets for cybercriminals, and the reasons are compelling.
District store vast amounts of sensitive data—from student Social Security numbers to health records, from financial information to academic histories.
With recent analysis showing districts lose an average of $550,000 per day of downtime during ransomware attacks.
In addition, while recovery times average 12.6 days, a single security breach could devastate a district's budget and operations for months.
School districts, with their treasure trove of sensitive data and often limited security resources, present an attractive target for cybercriminals.
This makes them vulnerable to devastating breaches that can result in identity theft, financial losses, service disruptions, and lasting damage to their reputation.
Teachers serve as the front-line defenders in educational cybersecurity.
Their daily interactions with digital systems and student data make them crucial in maintaining digital safety.
Here's what they need to know:
⭐ Pro tip: Start each semester with a 'security checklist': update passwords, review privacy settings, and ensure backups for essential materials.
Today's students are digital natives, but this doesn't automatically translate to cybersecurity awareness.
Growing up with technology doesn't guarantee knowing how to use it safely.
Every click, share, and download can have real consequences.
Students need to understand several key areas:
🔍 Digital Detective Game
Break students into teams and give each team a set of mock social media profiles, emails, or messages that contain red flags.
Teams compete to spot the most security risks (like overshared personal info, weak passwords, phishing attempts) within a time limit.
The team that identifies the most legitimate security concerns wins.
🎮 Password Strength Power-Up
Students create passwords and earn points based on strength criteria:
Make it competitive by having students (without revealing their actual passwords) compete to create the highest-scoring "power level" password using these criteria.
🎲 Security Snakes & Ladders
Create a giant board game (can be done on the floor with tape) where:
Cybersecurity affects every department within a school district.
While teachers are on the front lines of education, non-teaching staff form the backbone of school operations.
Administrative Staff - Front office personnel are the gatekeepers of critical school data. They handle:
Student enrollment records and demographic information
Parent contact details and custody documentation
Staff personnel files and employment records
Daily attendance records and transfer documentation
⭐ Pro tip: Implement a clean-desk policy, and require screen locks after 2 minutes of inactivity.
Financial Teams - School financial staff manage millions in transactions annually. Their cybersecurity needs include:
Secure payment processing systems for student fees and activities
Protected payroll information for all district employees
Vendor management and secure procurement processes
Grant management and federal funding documentation
⭐ Pro tip: Use multi-factor authentication for all financial transactions, maintain separate systems for different financial functions, and regularly audit access logs.
Facilities and Maintenance Staff - Modern school buildings are increasingly "smart," creating new security challenges:
Building automation systems controlling HVAC and lighting
Security camera networks and door access controls
Environmental monitoring systems
Energy management systems
⭐ Pro tip: Maintain separate networks for IoT devices, regularly update system firmware, and use strong access controls for all systems.
Food Service Staff - Cafeteria systems contain more sensitive data than many realize:
Free and reduced lunch program information
Student payment and balance information
Dietary restriction and allergy data
Inventory and vendor management systems
⭐ Pro tip: Secure point-of-sale systems, protect student financial information, and maintain confidentiality of meal program participation.
Health Office Personnel - School nurses and health staff balance student care with strict privacy requirements:
Student medical records and vaccination histories
Medication administration logs
Emergency care plans
Health screening results
⭐ Pro tip: Use HIPAA-compliant software, maintain encrypted records, and implement strict access controls for health information.
District leaders face unique challenges in implementing comprehensive cybersecurity measures.
❗Risk: Budget Constraints - Cybersecurity measures can be expensive.
❗Risk: Staff Training - Ensuring all staff maintain security awareness.
❗Risk: Technology Integration - Balancing security with educational accessibility.
UNTIL NEXT WEEK
Alludo - we have helped district leaders across the country increase capacity in thousands of schools by successfully delivering millions of evidence-based professional learning lessons to their educators and staff members.
See you next Saturday!
Damon