
Everyday choices and systems, both obvious and covert, hold truths about how we educate our children. Recognizing these truths allows us to course-correct and expand opportunities for students to receive grade-level, engaging, affirming, and meaningful instruction.
Author, speaker, and leader Lacey Robinson is a walking, talking testimony of this process. Her experience as a student, teacher, principal, and organization leader is woven together in her book Justice Seekers: Pursuing Equity in the Details of Teaching and Learning. Join me as Lacey, and I discuss the book and its purpose to help people see the power of our decisions in education and how they lend to the arc of justice or injustice in this country.
Key Takeaways
- Boldness is a main ingredient for the mindset required to produce grade-level, engaging, affirming, and meaningful instruction. Boldness doesn’t have to mean recklessness, so we can be bold and strategic in this pursuit.
- We don’t have to be dishonest about our students’ missing skills, we just have to use that honesty to explore ways to scaffold high-quality instruction and empathize by reflecting on the shortcomings we have overcome in our own lives.
- The science of reading needs to be seen as a package deal if we are to change the literacy rates in this country. We can’t afford to misrepresent what it takes to teach students how to read anymore.
- Grade-level, engaging, affirming, and meaningful instruction, or GLEAM can’t just be a catchphrase. Instead, it must remain a tool for us to catch the details in our teaching and learning in a way that promotes a just education. With folks like Lacey leading the charge, I look forward to this work and journey.
Next steps with GLEAM®
Choose the path that fits your team


UnboundEd Summits
Accelerate your instructional vision and build educators’ skills and expertise with a virtual or on-site Local Summit.
Learn More ➜

In-Service Workshops
UnboundEd’s dynamic, hands-on workshops build educator capacity by focusing on timeless, cross-disciplinary instructional moves that drive effective instruction, rigor, and student empowerment.
Learn More ➜
Online Math Academy
UnboundEd’s Online Math Academy courses enrich educators’ content knowledge and instructional practices to unlock all students’ math potential.
Learn More ➜
Curriculum Adoption
Ensuring quality materials are adopted and used effectively is crucial to improving outcomes and requires a strong instructional materials selection process. We’re here to share guidance and support on leading a rigorous and collaborative curriculum adoption process to select the right materials for your context and goals.
Learn More ➜
Curriculum Implementation
Just getting started, or need to get back on track? We work with you on a shared vision and an actionable plan for curriculum success.
Learn More ➜
Literacy ReclaimEd
Improve literacy instruction and better meet the unique needs of every student.
Learn More ➜
GLEAM® Inventory
Build your team’s understanding of grade-level, engaging, affirming, and meaningful –GLEAM®– instruction and transform how you serve all students in your district.
Learn More ➜
Speaking Engagements
Our experts offer inspiring, thought-provoking messages and conversations that will get your team thinking creatively about shifting mindsets and changing practice.
Learn More ➜
California Math Curriculum Adoption and Launch Cohort
Prepare to adopt and launch high-quality mathematics instructional materials with no-cost, grant-funded support from UnboundEd.
Learn More ➜