Don Marlett

Don has been an educator for 20+ years. Before joining Learning-Focused, he taught High School and Middle School Science and was a school administrator. Don has participated in school evaluations focused on implementing High-Yield Strategies. In addition, he partnered with various state DOEs to support leaders and presented at numerous conferences hosted by multiple leadership organizations in Florida, NC, Ohio, WV, TN, and KY. Don leads product development, provides leadership training and coaching, and coaches educators in the implementation of High-Yield strategies.

The Principal’s Test: Overcoming the Top 7 Challenges of Educational Leadership

By Don Marlett

In corporate leadership, The CEO Test is a book that has become a cornerstone for executives navigating complex challenges. It offers practical insights into essential qualities and skills for leading organizations effectively. While the corporate sector and world of education differ significantly, school leaders face equally demanding challenges. As a school leader, you are tasked…

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How to Improve the Effectiveness of High-Quality Instructional Materials

By Don Marlett

Walk into any classroom where teachers are implementing high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) with fidelity, and you’ll notice something interesting. While the materials provide an excellent academic foundation, there are still gaps in student engagement and understanding. Some students struggle to connect with the content, while others master surface-level knowledge but stumble when asked to think…

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students reviewing

Structured Review: Enhancing Student Retention Through Intentional Practice

By Don Marlett

If you’ve ever wondered how to help students retain more of what they learn, structured review is a proven method that helps students go beyond just “getting it” in the moment. In our years of experience as educators and school partners at Learning-Focused, we’ve seen firsthand how structured review can make a significant difference in…

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The Hidden Architecture of School Success: Why Systems and Accountability in Education Matter

By Don Marlett

In my years of educational leadership, one truth has stood paramount: a school’s success is not built on aspirations. Instead, it is built on systems that are shaped by accountability and sustained through deliberate action. Think of a school as a living ecosystem. The school’s systems form the foundation, the school’s culture reflects daily behaviors,…

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Learning Through Student Mistakes, Part 2: How Deliberate Errors Can Improve Problem Solving and Knowledge Transfer

By Don Marlett

In Part 1 of this blog series, we explored the benefits of making mistakes as part of the learning process and how this applies to note-taking. While student mistakes have traditionally been viewed as something to avoid, modern research shows that embracing errors—especially when done deliberately—can significantly boost student engagement and retention. Building on that…

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The Art of Skillful Teaching: Beyond Mastering Individual Strategies

By Don Marlett

Recently, while cooking with my wife, a simple request for a spoon turned into an unexpected lesson in specificity and purpose. As I reached for the first spoon I saw, my wife’s enthusiastic correction made me realize that not all spoons – or teaching strategies – are created equal. This kitchen epiphany sparked a reflection…

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Effective Performance-Based Assessments Empower Students to Demonstrate Knowledge and Skills

By Don Marlett

As educators, we have all encountered students who struggle with traditional testing methods. Many of us have wondered if there is a better way to assess student learning that goes beyond multiple-choice exams. In the immortal words of cartoonists Bob and Tom Thaves (Frank and Ernest), “School is mostly true-false and multiple choice but real…

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Principals: School Improvement Starts with Better Teacher Feedback

By Don Marlett

Teacher feedback is essential for fostering growth, improvement, and positive change within a school. Feedback leads to better student engagement and learning outcomes by identifying and refining teaching methods, which improves teacher effectiveness. Constructive feedback fosters a positive school environment by boosting teacher morale and communication. Ultimately, investing in teacher feedback enhances student learning by…

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School Improvement Planning: A Strategic Guide to Using Learning-Focused Newsletter Articles 

By Don Marlett

The Learning-Focused Newsletter continues to be an invaluable resource for district personnel, school administrators, instructional coaches, and teachers throughout the academic year and into summer planning. The newsletter’s articles are versatile and useful for incorporating high yield strategies throughout all lessons. The articles can guide collaborative planning, serve as the agenda for team meetings or…

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Increasing Critical Thinking in Education: How to Prepare Students for the Future

By Don Marlett

The world is changing rapidly, and the critical thinking skills needed to succeed in the workplace vastly differ from those of the past. Rote memorization and basic recall of facts are no longer enough. Today’s students need to be critical thinkers – able to analyze information, solve problems creatively, and collaborate effectively. Richard Riley, former…

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