Welcome to Playground Post, a bi-weekly newsletter that keeps education innovators ahead of what’s next.

Here’s what we have on deck for today…

1. New classroom tech targets everyday teaching challenges

2. School leaders adopt AI without proper training

3. Middle schoolers drive demand for wellness education

New classroom tech targets everyday teaching challenges

TCEA 2025 revealed a shift in education technology:

Companies are focusing on practical problems teachers face daily.

• Avantis Education launched Eduverse+, adding career exploration tools to their VR headsets.

• Cellairis introduced the Cyber Pouch to help schools manage phone distractions without compromising emergency access.

Schools aren't just buying flashy tech — they're investing in solutions that address specific challenges like career guidance and classroom management.

With districts actively seeking practical tools, there's a growing demand for innovations that make teachers' daily work easier.

School leaders adopt AI without proper training

While 58% of principals now use AI for tasks like drafting communications and supporting hiring, only 18% received any guidance on using these tools, according to new Rand research.

The gap widens in high-poverty schools, where principals are half as likely to receive AI training compared to wealthy districts.

Researchers note that principals' lower use of AI in higher-poverty schools could discourage teachers from trying new AI tools, highlighting a growing digital divide.

For education innovators, this reveals an urgent need for accessible, free AI tools targeting school administration — especially in resource-constrained districts where the technology could have the greatest impact.

Middle schoolers drive demand for wellness education

A Colorado middle school's experiment suggests a promising opportunity in education.

When given the choice between traditional classes and wellness workshops, over 200 students eagerly signed up for alternatives like taekwondo, art therapy, and emotional regulation classes.

While this is just one school's experience, it offers an encouraging signal for education organizations exploring comprehensive wellness programs.

With schools nationwide reporting increases in student anxiety and behavior problems, this early success hints at the potential demand for scalable solutions that integrate wellness education into school curriculums.

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We’ll be back with another edition on Tuesday. See you then!

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