Magic EdTech, a leading provider of building digital learning solutions, hosted its first innovative AI Week event, Rethinking UX in the Age of AI: The Personalization Challenge, at the Paramount Building in New York, NY. The hackathon-style session brought together over 30 UX/UI students and EdTech professionals to explore how artificial intelligence can transform familiar digital products into smarter, more human-centered experiences.
Unlike traditional conversations about user experience, which often focus on flashy features, this session challenged participants to rethink dashboards, portals, and platforms through the lens of AI-driven personalization. The goal was to design experiences that feel seamless for different users without adding clutter or compromising trust.
The winning prototype, ClassGrab, reimagined a textbook e-commerce storefront. The team focused on helping students move efficiently from “point A to point B” by enabling users to upload their schedules and receive personalized material suggestions. ClassGrab’s AI-powered design recommends materials that fit the learner’s preferred modality, such as quizzes or video-based content, streamlining the educational shopping experience.
The event was led by Magic EdTech leaders Olivia Lara-Gretsy and Kiara Kolaczyk, with judges Ammar Khomusi, Ray Alba, Michael Spontak, and Husena Jadliwala providing expert feedback. Attendees also heard from appearances by CEO Acky Kamdar, CSO Rishi Gera, and Prasad Karanjgaonkar, who shared insights on designing AI-powered learning solutions.
Magic EdTech partnered with Pulse NYC for this session, part of the community-led festival celebrating innovation across the AI ecosystem. Attendees included UX/UI students from NYU and Parsons, as well as professionals from AI and EdTech companies, all collaborating to explore practical applications of AI in educational technology.
“Events like these are about more than building prototypes; they’re about fostering creativity, collaboration, and a deeper understanding of how AI can truly enhance learning experiences,” said Kiara Kolaczyk, co-lead of the event.
For more information about Magic EdTech, upcoming hackathons, and other initiatives, visitwww.magicedtech.com and follow the company’s social media channels:
Magic EdTech, headquartered in New York, is a trusted provider of AI-powered digital learning solutions for K-12, Higher Education, and Workforce Development teams. With over 30 years of experience, the company offers comprehensive services that transform educational content, deliver personalized learning, and build learner success. With a global presence and a commitment to “Digital Learning for Everyone,” Magic EdTech is a valued partner to educational organizations worldwide.
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PORTLAND, Oregon — October 9, 2025 — Melanie Hammericksen, a Culinary Arts teacher at Lincoln High School in Portland, OR, has won the Heroes of the Classroom national teacher recognition program, presented by Kleenex®. Heroes of the Classroom honors K-12 teachers, administrators, and other teaching staff for their strength, impact, and dedication to students. Ms. Hammericksen was selected from among 10 finalists from schools in Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Montana, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Utah. Watch the grand prize winner’s video and learn more about all winners at HeroesoftheClassroom.com.
Peyton Chapman, Lincoln High School’s principal, whose son was a student of Ms. Hammericksen, nominated her for her dedication to teaching and the larger school community. Ms. Chapman said that sometimes “Chef Hammericksen” works 12-14 hour days shopping for ingredients and teaching 170-190 students. “[Ms. Hammericksen] makes huge team meals for all for the athletic teams, and sends home trays of lasagna and other comfort foods to families experiencing poverty, or a death in the family, or to a teacher who has to call in sick. She models care and concern for everyone in our school community,” wrote Chapman on her nomination form.
A special celebration with Ms. Hammericksen, her students, colleagues, and other supporters took place on September 25 at the school. Organizers from the Heroes of the Classroom program handed her a $10,000 “Big Check” and awarded the school a $5,000 check and a one-year supply of Kleenex Brand Tissue. Approximate retail value of the Grand Prize is $16,000.
In addition to the Grand Prize celebration, we are proud to recognize this year’s First Prize winners:
Josh Beeman – Billings Senior High, Billings, MT
Ty Boyland – Crosstown High, Memphis, TN
Robert Esposito – Cooperative Arts & Humanities Magnet High School, New Haven, CT
Marie Humphrey – Odyssey Charter School, Wilmington, DE
Marianne Leon – Odyssey STEM Academy, Lakewood, CA
Erin McFarland – George McGovern Middle School, Sioux Falls, SD
Briley Saunders – Cabot Middle School North, Cabot, AR
Allie Szczecinski – Crow Island Elementary, Winnetka, IL
Dawnell Ticarich – Fielding Elementary School, Fielding, UT
Each First Prize winner received a $1,000 Costco Shop gift card for themselves and a $1,000 check for their schools. In addition, individuals who nominated the ten finalists received a $1,000 Costco Shop card. The Grand Prize winner was determined by a public vote from among the top 10 First Prize winners.
This program is in partnership with Campus Multimedia, a school communication and marketing company that administers such programs on behalf of national brands. “Congratulations to Ms. Hammericksen and Lincoln High School! There are countless teachers throughout the country who go above and beyond in supporting their students and communities. It is a special honor for Campus Multimedia to be able to recognize a few of these amazing teachers,” said Karl Mawhinney, CEO and Founder of Campus Multimedia.
About Campus Multimedia
Campus Multimedia is the nation’s leader in brand activation for K-12 schools. By connecting a network of over 84,000 schools with aligned brands, CM provides recognition, resources, and revenue to strengthen school communities. Campus Multimedia’s turnkey programs empower schools while helping brands create authentic local connections that drive engagement and lifelong loyalty. Learn more at campusmultimedia.com.
iCEV, a trailblazer in Career & Technical Education (CTE) solutions, is expanding its partnership with Texas Tech University’s School of Financial Planning and the Center for Financial Responsibility (CFR) to offer Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) credits to students. Now, Texas Tech students who have earned the CFR Personal Financial Literacy Certification through the iCEV Testing Platform will receive three credit hours at no cost.
“It’s fitting that Texas Tech is leading the way in awarding credit for the CFR Personal Financial Literacy Certification, especially with the Center for Financial Responsibility based on campus,” said Dusty Moore, CEO of iCEV. “This initiative not only validates the value of financial literacy education, it empowers students to reach their educational and career goals more efficiently.”
Texas Tech students who have earned the certification must be in the Applied Personal Finance (APF) and Personal Financial Planning (PFP) undergraduate degree programs to earn three PLA credits. To receive the credits, students must submit a request and proof of certification completion to the Personal Finance PLA Portfolio form.
The CFR Personal Financial Literacy Certification exam consists of 100 questions and assesses knowledge and concepts from the following industry standards: budgets, investments and risk management, loans, banking options and records, taxes and paychecks, and major purchasing decisions. Certification earners are more qualified and prepared to make informed financial choices, as well as more prepared to perform better in the workplace and achieve long-term financial success, no matter what job they choose.
For other colleges and higher education institutions interested in a similar partnership, contact certifications@icevonline.com. To learn more about iCEV and its commitment to CTE, visit www.icevonline.com.
About iCEV
Since 1984, iCEV has specialized in providing quality CTE curriculum and educational resources. iCEV is the most comprehensive online resource for CTE educators and students, offering curriculum for several major subject areas, including agricultural science, trade & industrial education, business & marketing, career exploration, family & consumer science, health science, law enforcement and STEM education. iCEV also acts as a certification testing platform for industry certifications. Recognized companies and organizations utilize iCEV as the testing platform for their certifications. Additionally, iCEV offers Eduthings, a CTE data management platform that simplifies reporting for industry certifications, work-based learning, career and technical student organizations (CTSO) participation, and more. For more information, visit www.icevonline.com.
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Charlotte, NC (Tuesday, October 7, 2025)—North Carolina’s ArtSpace Charter School today announced the selection of DreamBox Math by Discovery Education to support math instruction in grades K-8. This new digital resource will be used by teachers in the school to enhance instruction and accelerate student achievement in math. Discovery Education is the maker of essential PreK-12 learning solutions used in classrooms around the world.
Located in Swannanoa, North Carolina, ArtSpace Charter School offers a complete education through an integrated curriculum centered around the visual and performing arts and utilizing an experiential approach. The gifted faculty at ArtSpace Charter School believes in a family-centered, cooperative approach to education that encourages family involvement and community service to nurture responsible citizenship.
Following the closure of their school due to Hurricane Helene, ArtSpace sought a digital math solution that would not only support the recovery of lost learning but also accelerate achievement through student-centered learning experiences. Following a comprehensive review of potential solutions, the ArtSpace Charter School team selected DreamBox Math by Discovery Education for classroom use.
DreamBox Math is a K-8 online math program that supplements core instruction in the classroom or at home and is independently proven by several third-party research organizations to increase math achievement. DreamBox Math by Discovery Education adapts dynamically to the learner, providing tailored instruction within a highly engaging, gamified learning environment. DreamBox Math lessons are available in both English and Spanish and are standards-aligned.
Along with actionable reporting and tools that empower differentiation for all learners, DreamBox Math offers teachers content-specific professional learning and provides administrators critical insights into student progress. With DreamBox Math, every student is empowered to independently engage in interactive problem solving so they can develop conceptual understanding, apply a variety of strategies, and gain competence and confidence in mathematical reasoning and skills.
“Our students lost 24 days of learning as they grappled with the impacts of Hurricane Helene,” said Dr. Sarena Fuller, Executive Director of the ArtSpace Charter School. “To support the recovery of their lost learning and to improve their overall learning trajectory in math, we wanted to select an adaptive math solution that would support the success of our students, and we are excited to integrate DreamBox Math into our classroom instruction.”
In addition, all educators using Discovery Education’s digital resources have access to the Discovery Educator Network or DEN. A global community of education professionals, the DEN connects members across school systems and around the world through social media, virtual conferences, and in-person events, fostering valuable idea sharing and inspiration. Recently, the DEN celebrated 20 years of connecting educators to their most valuable resource: each other. Educators interested in learning more this powerful professional learning community and joining the DEN can visit the DEN homepage here
“Discovery Education is proud to support the ArtSpace Charter Schools’s efforts to improve teaching and learning in math, said Kimberly McCullough, Discovery Education Account Executive. “The integration of DreamBox Math into their curriculum will yield academic benefits for their students, and we are excited to support their work.”
Charlotte, NC (Thursday, October 2, 2025) — On Wednesday, November 5, 2025, Discovery Education presents elementary, middle, and high school students across the United States a unique virtual career learning opportunity that will help prepare them for success in the workforce of tomorrow. The Discovery Education Futures Fair is a free, online event offering interactive presentations from professionals across a number of industries, mentorship opportunities, and hands-on activities that will give students new insights into future career opportunities and the skills needed to achieve their goals. Discovery Education is the creator of essential PreK-12 learning solutions used in classrooms around the world.
Powered by Discovery Education’s corporate partners, the upcoming virtual Futures Fair offers students the opportunity to interact with a vast array of businesses and professionals dedicated to helping the next generation prepare for future careers. With the goal of increasing career awareness and preparing students for post-secondary success, the Discovery Education Corporate Partnerships business bridges industries and classrooms to bring real-world education into classroom instruction.
The free Futures Fair events include a series of 30-minute virtual sessions via Zoom featuring professionals from various industries sharing an age-appropriate overview of their job, industry, and the path they took to achieve it. Students will discover the future-ready abilities used in careers today, such as trade-specific skills and the 5 Cs (critical thinking, communication, collaboration, creativity, and character). These virtual sessions will be accompanied by standards-aligned, hands-on student learning tasks designed to reinforce the skills outlined by industry presenters.
Organizations participating in the Futures Fair are 3M, ASME, Clayco, CVS Health, Drug Enforcement Administration, Genentech, Hartford, Honda, Honeywell, Illumina, LIV Golf, Meta, Norton, Nucor, Polar Bears International, Prologis, The Home Depot, Verizon, and Warner Bros. Discovery.
All Futures Fair sessions will run from 10:30 AM to 2:00 PM ET on November 5. Learn more and register for the Discovery Education Futures Fair at discoveryeducation.com/futures-fair.
Educators who use Discovery Education services enjoy access to additional resources supporting Futures Fair and beyond. The Careers Hub and Career Connect solutions within Discovery Education Experience, the essential classroom companion, feature curated career resources and additional live guest speakers from a number of high-demand industries. With personalized content recommendations, immersive AR/VR lessons, and curriculum-aligned resources, Discovery Education Experience continues to help educators engage students in meaningful learning that prepares them for success today and in the future.
“Recent research showed that 92% of students report that engaging lessons make learning more enjoyable. One way to create engaging classroom lessons is to show students that what is taught in the classroom connects to a future career,” said Brian Shaw, Chief Executive Officer of Discovery Education. “Futures Fair offers educators an easy and fun way to immerse students in enriching and inspiring career-connected learning that seamlessly integrates into the classroom environment. Discovery Education is excited to bring this no-cost learning opportunity to students and teachers nationwide.”
Portland, ME— Oct. 2, 2025 — BW Walch, a leading provider of innovative math solutions, today announced that its instructional materials have been officially adopted by the New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) and placed on the state’s 2025 Adopted Multiple List for mathematics. This designation makes BW Walch a preferred provider of high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) for schools and districts across New Mexico.
Following a rigorous review process at the 2025 Summer Review Institute, New Mexico educators evaluated more than 130 mathematics titles for alignment to the state’s academic standards, evidence of effectiveness, and cultural and linguistic relevance. BW Walch submitted three titles for consideration, all of which were recommended for adoption with strong scores.
“Being named to New Mexico’s list of approved providers is a tremendous honor and reflects our commitment to providing teachers with the evidence-based resources they need to drive student success in mathematics,” said Sr. Director of Mathematics, Joanne Whitley. “We believe that when teachers are empowered with the right tools, they can close learning gaps and unlock every student’s potential in mathematics.”
The New Mexico adoption process ensures that only instructional materials meeting the state’s highest standards for quality and effectiveness are made available to districts. With BW Walch’s Integrated Pathway Math I, II, and III programs now approved, schools across the state have access to research-based resources designed to strengthen math teaching and learning from middle through high school.
This milestone builds on BW Walch’s reputation as a trusted partner in mathematics education. The company’s solutions, including its OGAP professional learning programs, are designed to support teachers with tools and strategies that foster deep understanding of mathematics and accelerate student achievement.
About BW Walch BW Walch is a leading provider of innovative math solutions, including OGAP professional learning and aligned, customized math curriculums, that empower teachers and students to achieve success. With a strong foundation in evidence-based practice and deep expertise in mathematics education, BW Walch supports schools and districts nationwide in building sustainable improvement in teaching and learning. For more information go to: customerservice@bwwalch.com.
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