OSG educators share back-to-school insights with teachers across North America

As a new school year begins across North America, OneSchool Global educators are helping fellow teachers start with confidence and maintain it throughout the school year.

Drawing on the expertise of teachers, principals and school leaders from across the OSG North America network, a recent nationally distributed media feature highlighted practical back-to-school advice designed to support educators as they prepare for a new academic year. The story was subsequently syndicated across a range of online news platforms.

The press release, “Eight School Year’s Resolutions for Teachers’, highlights simple but meaningful habits that can help teachers feel more organised, energised and prepared for the year ahead.

Contributors included educators from OSG campuses in New York and Tennessee, alongside regional school leadership, who shared practical strategies for creating engaging classrooms, fostering student ownership, supporting professional growth and building strong school cultures.

Among the ideas featured were encouraging curiosity through thoughtful questioning, creating opportunities for students to take greater ownership of their learning, celebrating small wins and making time for professional reflection and development.

Jonathon Borys, Regional Head of School at OneSchool Global North America, said many of the most valuable ideas in education come from teachers themselves.

“You’re not going to get everything right the first time. What matters is being willing to learn from it, make a change, and keep moving forward.”

The feature reflects OneSchool Global’s commitment to sharing educational best practice and contributing to broader conversations about teaching and learning.

With more than 120 campuses across 20 countries, OneSchool Global is uniquely positioned to bring together insights from educators working in diverse contexts, while remaining united by a shared goal: helping students develop the skills, confidence and independence they need to be life-ready.

So, what were the tips?

1. Ask more questions: Kristin Iula, One School Global principal at the New York campus located in Airmont, New York, recommends replacing some explanations with questions that encourage curiosity, problem-solving, and deeper understanding. According to Iula, “A good question can do more than an explanation. It gives students a chance to wrestle with the idea themselves.”
2. Learn from another teacher: Observe another classroom. Share ideas. Collaborate. Great teaching grows through connection.
3. Give students more ownership: Allowing choice in topics, projects, reading materials, or ways to demonstrate understanding is a key to success in Tonia Manges’ classroom in Knoxville, Tennessee. “I’ve found that giving students choices makes them take more ownership of their work. It feels like it becomes theirs, not just another assignment.”
4. Embrace imperfection: For Jonathon Borys, Regional Head of School North America, embracing imperfection means being willing to try, reflect, and adjust along the way. “You’re not going to get everything right the first time. What matters is being willing to learn from it, make a change, and keep moving forward.”
5. Celebrate the small wins more: “You don’t have to wait for the big moments to celebrate students. Sometimes a quick compliment or simply noticing their progress can make all the difference,” says Jonathon Borys. A positive note home, a quick word of encouragement, or calling out a student’s growth can help students feel seen, valued, and motivated to keep going.
6. Create an environment where staff speak up: Creating a culture where staff feel comfortable sharing ideas, offering different perspectives, and challenging the status quo can lead to better collaboration and stronger ideas. Jonathon Borys puts it simply: “The best ideas don’t always come from the person leading the room. We need to make sure everyone feels comfortable speaking up.”
7. Reconnect with your purpose: Keep reminders of your impact close – student notes, memories, successes, and moments that remind you why this work matters.
8. Commit to professional growth: Read a professional book, attend a workshop, listen to an education podcast, or connect with another educator who challenges your thinking.

About OneSchool Global
OneSchool Global is an independent school network that has more than 8,000 primary and secondary students and 2,000 staff across the globe, in regions including United Kingdom, North America, Europe, Australia, Argentina, New Zealand and the Caribbean. Our students come from the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church community; however, OneSchool Global is not a religious school and only teaches religion as required in the curriculum.