Van Andel Institute for Education

08/25/2026

💬 Sometimes, all it takes is one meaningful conversation to build a great relationship.

Conversation prompts are a simple way to help students get to know one another, build classroom community, and strengthen relationships throughout the school year.

Here are a few to try:
✨ What's your favorite part of school?
✨ What do you like to do on the weekends?
✨ Who is your favorite person in the world?

Looking for more? Get 200 conversation prompts plus over 600 ready-to-use classroom resources with VAI Educator's Studio. Learn more at https://vaieducation.org/educators-studio 🍎

08/24/2026

🍎 Why is the first week of school so important? It's because the habits you create that first week are what carry you through the whole year.

✏️ First impressions are everything, so start the year off on the right foot!

For more information on the perfect first week, visit:

Students decide very quickly when they walk through a classroom door whether that room feels safe, calm, and worth engaging. The decision to trust the adults

08/24/2026

It's that time of year again! 👀

🍎 VAI Education is wishing teachers, students, admins, and parents a memorable school year! Comment below on what you're most excited for. ✏️

Make memories this school year with VAI Education. Visit vaieducation.org.

08/20/2026

✨ Start out the school year strong with our free, two-part Timely Topics activity "Crafting Our Classroom" ✨

This activity will have students thinking about how they should treat one another and how to handle classroom conflict. Students visualize their thoughts in a collage and share with their peers what respect, kindness, and cooperation look like.

🏫 For more information, visit: https://vaieducation.org/for-educators/timely-topics/ -our-classroom

08/18/2026

A new school year brings new students, new routines, and plenty to think about. 🍎✨

The first few weeks can feel overwhelming, but focusing on what matters most can help set the tone for a year of growth, connection, and curiosity.

👉 Swipe for 5 things to remember as you head into the new school year.

And don't forget: you don't have to do it all alone. VAI Educator's Studio is here to help → https://vaieducation.org/educators-studio

08/13/2026

Check out what some of our students did in our Books to Builds summer camp! After our students read Just Like Rube, they created their very own Rube Goldberg Machine.

08/13/2026

We had such a wonderful time teaching our students this summer, so let's highlight what we did for our final week of summer camps!

Students got their hands dirty finding fossils in Can you Dig It. Some mad scientists were able to create new creatures during Creature Coding.

Books to Builds solved storybook problems using their knowledge while Ready, Set, Print learned about 3D modeling and printing!

08/13/2026

Every student brings unique interests, passions, and goals into your classroom. 💙

Taking time to learn about them from the very beginning can help set you and your students up for an incredible school year.

👉 Swipe to see why an interest inventory is a simple but powerful back-to-school activity.

Share this with your teacher friends and follow for more classroom tips!

08/11/2026

Looking for fresh first-day activities? So are other teachers! 💛

Let's build a list together! Share your favorite first-day activity below and inspire a fellow teacher as they kick off a new school year. 🍎👇

08/07/2026

Congratulations to this month's Caught Being Awesome winner, Christen Steele, of Valley View Elementary School!

According to her students, Christen always brings a great attitude to the classroom that encourages her students to do the same. Christen's commitment to her students makes them excited to learn and grow.

Well done, Christen🥇🏆

***If you know a teacher who’s creating a classroom where curiosity, creativity and critical thinking thrive, we’d love to celebrate them! Nominate at bit.ly/2WiQvjm