Joy Kirr implemented Geniur Hour in her classroom and it shifted almost everything about how she approaches the classroom. She shares what she has learned along the way.

In a study of 125 college students, 56% said they found it easier to complete simple math problems while sitting up straight instead of hunched over the problem, according to researchers at San Francisco State University. Co-author Richard Harvey says slumping at a desk may trigger negative feelings.

How are students supposed to take ownership of their learning if you don't give them the chance? After one math teacher realized she was doing too much talking, explaining and assisting, she let students lead the discussions for a change -- and saw a group of mathematical problem-solvers come to life.

A recent study has shown that when principals were coached on their leadership skills by supervisors, they became more effective at retaining teachers, the school climate improved and students achieved more. Researchers say districts should shift from a top-down approach to more of a bottom-up way of working with schools to better support principals.

There are six keys to the success of Finland's education system, according to Maria Muuri, a former classroom teacher and principal in that country. In this commentary, Muuri writes that the key elements include a focus on transversal skills, government support and different kinds of assessments.

High-performing countries, including Finland, Singapore and China, and some Canadian provinces take a variety of steps to recruit and retain high-quality teachers, according to Linda Darling-Hammond, executive director of the Learning Policy Institute. At a recent conference, she discussed several successful teacher preparation programs, including one in China that has set up teaching competitions.

How principals interact matters more than what they know, writes leadership expert Naphtali Hoff, president of Impactful Coaching & Consulting. In this blog post, Hoff discusses his research on the behaviors of school leaders that can motivate teachers, including good communication, affirmation and orderly management of the school.

Designing experiences that give kids time to think on their own before sharing out to the class can go a long way in helping introverted kids feel valued and understood.

Most principals have an instinctive awareness that organizational culture is a key element of school success. But like many organizational leaders, principals may get stymied when they actually try to describe the elements that create a positive culture.

Procrastination is painful. But setting a timer for 25 minutes, focusing deeply and then rewarding yourself can help students accomplish their goals. According to educator Barbara Oakley, "Anyone can do 25 minutes of studying."

Southgate primary in West Sussex is one of many British schools bringing games into the classroom, with staff seeing benefits for parents as well as students.