iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Rachel Pierson, MSEd @learnforalifetime.com · 20/07/2026

This week, I'm spending some time with the fabulous people of the South Dakota Education Association! It's the annual Summer Academy, and I'm looking forward to continuing to learn everything I can.

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Rachel Pierson, MSEd @learnforalifetime.com · 30/06/2026

So I got my "third notice" that I need to move off the SAVE plan - isn't it still under litigation? I have 19 more payments to go for PSLF, unless that's going to get canceled, too. But apparently I'm in forbearance? Does anyone have any clear resources that can help? I am an SDEA/NEA member.

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Rachel Pierson, MSEd @learnforalifetime.com · 20/04/2026

Anyone here on Bluesky attending the #TIE26 conference in Sioux Falls? Let’s connect!

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Rachel Pierson, MSEd @learnforalifetime.com · 06/03/2026

A student walked into class, and their arm struggled to emerge from their oversized hoodie. After a moment, their hand appeared holding a battered Red Delicious. "I brought this for you," they exclaimed proudly. (I'm probably not going to eat it because of all the bruises, but oh my 💜. ☺️)

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Rachel Pierson, MSEd @learnforalifetime.com · 13/02/2026

Day two of hiding little glow in the dark aliens in my classroom for students to find. (I am perpetuating the lore about Greg the alien who used to live in my broken ceiling tile.)

Seven tiny little glow in the dark aliens in various positions lying on a desk. They are no larger than an inch tall.

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Rachel Pierson, MSEd @learnforalifetime.com · 06/02/2026

What's the best #ProfessionalDevelopment book you've read lately? I just picked up "Teacher Clarity" and "Clarity for Learning."

The covers of "Teacher Clarity" and "Clarity for Learning" (both with lightbulbs on the cover) on an abstract blue-green swirling background.

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Reposted by Rachel Pierson, MSEd

cstasouthdakota.bsky.social @cstasouthdakota.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

Did you know cybersecurity concepts can fit into almost any subject? 🤔 Join us next week to see how. We’re keeping it practical, inclusive, and focused on YOUR classroom needs. Register here: t.ly/Q-MDf #CSTASD #CSforAll #CyberSecurity

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Rachel Pierson, MSEd @learnforalifetime.com · 29/10/2025

Food for thought! Classrooms have changed dramatically in the last five years. As someone considering a terminal degree, I have to ask, what is going to best benefit the students in our schools?

thehill.com

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Rachel Pierson, MSEd @learnforalifetime.com · 12/09/2025

🧘🏾‍♀️ #EduMatch Connect: Educator Mental Health (Sept 28) Our next session is on Educator Mental Health, a topic that couldn’t be more timely. Join us on Sept 28 for a restorative, energizing session designed to give you strategies and support for your well-being. events.edumatch.org/edumatch-con...

events.edumatch.org

EduMatch Connect

EduMatch Connect is a dynamic professional learning series designed to bring educators together for meaningful, real-time conversations on topics that matter most in education today. Building upon the...

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Rachel Pierson, MSEd @learnforalifetime.com · 11/09/2025

These first two sentences got me hooked. I want people to slow down and consider. What are we willingly turning over, and how does that affect the rest of the world? Thank you @cartermoulton.bsky.social www.analoginspiration.ai#:~:text=to%2...

analoginspiration.ai

analog inspiration

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Rachel Pierson, MSEd @learnforalifetime.com · 02/09/2025

Should we even be concerned with this number? I feel like 40% feeling somewhat prepared is a decent result. No need for panic. "Just 3% of Gen Z middle and high school students feel extremely prepared to use AI in their future jobs, with 37% feeling somewhat prepared."

news.gallup.com

Heartland Gen Zers Feel Unprepared to Use AI at Work

About one in three Gen Z adults feel at least somewhat prepared to use artificial intelligence at work, while 40% of middle and high school students believe they will be prepared to do so after gradua...

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Rachel Pierson, MSEd @learnforalifetime.com · 28/08/2025

My face when my Kahoot pin ends in '67' in my middle school class. IYKYK

An annoyed and unimpressed long-haired cat

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Rachel Pierson, MSEd @learnforalifetime.com · 29/07/2025

I usually take the URL to an archive site (.org or .is) and see if they have an archived copy to read.

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Rachel Pierson, MSEd @learnforalifetime.com · 29/07/2025

"Accessibility should not be an afterthought–rather, it should be a key component that is integrated into the design of every CS lesson, tool, and platform from the very beginning." Just like you wouldn't add the blueberries to the muffins after you take them out of the oven! #CSEveryone

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Rachel Pierson, MSEd @learnforalifetime.com · 12/07/2025

Clean and readable is key to accessibility in your instructional materials!

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Rachel Pierson, MSEd @learnforalifetime.com · 11/07/2025

6-8th grade educator meetup at #csta2025! We teach 7th grade. IYKYK.

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Rachel Pierson, MSEd @learnforalifetime.com · 11/07/2025

CSTA 2027 will take place in Anaheim, Californa! Computer Science and Disney! :D

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Rachel Pierson, MSEd @learnforalifetime.com · 11/07/2025

I'm hearing the words "strategic realignment" and that it will be a smaller conference next year.

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Rachel Pierson, MSEd @learnforalifetime.com · 11/07/2025

#CSTA2026 got displaced from Atlanta by the World Cup! We're headed to New Orleans next year! #CSTA2025

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Rachel Pierson, MSEd @learnforalifetime.com · 11/07/2025

Succession planning is super important! How can you help train the people who will replace you? Christina Gardner-McCune tells us that we are continually evolving and learning new things. #CSTA2025

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Rachel Pierson, MSEd @learnforalifetime.com · 11/07/2025

Do you care if a bot writes an article about fantasy football? What does that mean for the human people who are doing these jobs? #CSTA2025

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Rachel Pierson, MSEd @learnforalifetime.com · 11/07/2025

Mahmoud Harding talks about data science at #CSTA2025. AI, Human, or HumAIn? Bringing data science and sports journalism in the spotlight.

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Rachel Pierson, MSEd @learnforalifetime.com · 11/07/2025

Who gets to decide what AI looks like? Wyman Khuu talks to us about Playlab and how the best creators are the people who have strong skills in computational thinking. #CSTA2025

playlab.ai

Playlab - Create Your Own AI Edtech

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Rachel Pierson, MSEd @learnforalifetime.com · 11/07/2025

Pat Yongpradit shares with us his work with AI and CS: www.teachai.org/cs #CSTA2025

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Rachel Pierson, MSEd @learnforalifetime.com · 11/07/2025

Professional learning communities are the antidote to isolation. That's why the biggest computer science department at #CSTA2025 is so important.

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Rachel Pierson, MSEd @learnforalifetime.com · 11/07/2025

For further reading: Exploring Sense of Belonging in Computer Science Students dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/...

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Rachel Pierson, MSEd @learnforalifetime.com · 11/07/2025

Mx. Tess Ramsey talking about a sense of belonging in computer science classes-- everyone has value and everyone has a part to learn about building culture for thriving. #CSTA2025

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Rachel Pierson, MSEd @learnforalifetime.com · 10/07/2025

¿Por qué no los dos? Why not do both? Coding can be art! (I know you know that.)

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Rachel Pierson, MSEd @learnforalifetime.com · 10/07/2025

I am happy to read your article and comment on it in the near future. Thanks for sharing.

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Rachel Pierson, MSEd @learnforalifetime.com · 10/07/2025

Read Later: Empowering Learners for the Age of AI OECD (2025). Empowering learners for the age of AI: An AI literacy framework for primary and secondary education (Review draft). OECD. Paris. https:/ailiteracyframework.org #CSTA2025

ailiteracyframework.org

AI Literacy Framework for Primary & Secondary Education

Empower learners for the age of AI with the AILit Framework—a joint EC & OECD initiative, supported by Code.org and international experts.

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Rachel Pierson, MSEd @learnforalifetime.com · 10/07/2025

bar graph called 'depth of integration' showing that there are many ways to integrate CS and general content areas; it does not always mean co-equal service. (copyright 2022 CodeVA)

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Rachel Pierson, MSEd @learnforalifetime.com · 10/07/2025

Stoked to go to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame tonight!

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Rachel Pierson, MSEd @learnforalifetime.com · 09/07/2025

This was the session I had as my other choice for this time slot. My state just released K8 CS Standards so I wanted to go to the standards session.

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Rachel Pierson, MSEd @learnforalifetime.com · 09/07/2025

"In a world increasingly powered by computing, students of all identities and chosen career paths need quality CS education to become informed citizens and confident creators of content and digital tools." ~CSTA's Vision for the Future of K-12 CS Education #CSTA2025 reimaginingcs.org

reimaginingcs.org

Reimagining CS Pathways

Every student prepared for a world powered by computing

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Rachel Pierson, MSEd @learnforalifetime.com · 09/07/2025

Learner variability is a norm, not an exception. ~Dr. Maya Israel #CSTA2025

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Rachel Pierson, MSEd @learnforalifetime.com · 09/07/2025

Connecting back to my time at the #MNCodes cohort with Code Savvy and hearing Tom and Justin talk about integration of CS in K-8 lessons! #csta2025

Two presenters stand at a podium and speak during a conference session, with a slide showing their names and photos displayed on a screen beside them.

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Rachel Pierson, MSEd @learnforalifetime.com · 09/07/2025

This would be a lot better if the WiFi would be more robust. I can’t really do anything at the moment. (And I don’t want to drain my phone battery by using my hotspot.)

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Rachel Pierson, MSEd @learnforalifetime.com · 09/07/2025

My first session at #CSTA2025 today is about VS Code for Education - (Visual Studio) visualstudio.microsoft.com/vscode-edu/

visualstudio.microsoft.com

VS Code for Education - Visual Studio

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Rachel Pierson, MSEd @learnforalifetime.com · 08/07/2025

“Equity does not live in a line item.” -Raymond Anacaya, CSTA Impact Fellow #CSTA2025

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Rachel Pierson, MSEd @learnforalifetime.com · 08/07/2025

VLS starts now! Meeting lots of people and learning more about how our CSTA chapter in South Dakota can impact teachers and students. #CSTA2025

A Chromebook displaying the CSTA volunteer leadership summit agenda. Next to the computer is a to-go coffee cup from Change Please Coffee and a shaker bottle with electrolytes because you know I’m dehydrated from travel.

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Rachel Pierson, MSEd @learnforalifetime.com · 08/07/2025

Cleveland rocks! I’m attending #CSTA2025 this week and looking forward to connecting with other computer science leaders from across the world!

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Rachel Pierson, MSEd @learnforalifetime.com · 26/04/2025

🎉 I’m excited to be presenting at TIE 2025! I’ll share “Charting the Path: South Dakota’s NEW K-8 Computer Science Standards” and how these updates impact teachers and students statewide. Looking forward to connecting and learning with so many incredible educators! 🚀 #TIE25 #EdTech #CSforAll

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Rachel Pierson, MSEd @learnforalifetime.com · 17/04/2025

I started out here, and I'm learning about the work of Dr. David Canfield Smith in the 1970s... Although UI design is interesting, I'm not sure it's going to get the answers I want. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icon_(c...

en.wikipedia.org

Icon (computing) - Wikipedia

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Rachel Pierson, MSEd @learnforalifetime.com · 17/04/2025

Here's a good 'notice' and question from one of my graphic design students today! "I see the image icon here, here, and here," (pointing to different apps) "so who decided that it was going to be a mountain with the sun?" I'd love to pass along an answer if you have any insight.

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Rachel Pierson, MSEd @learnforalifetime.com · 20/03/2025

Let [students] write papers with pens and papers, do experiments, or simply do math assignments. AI can do a lot of that work for students, but it’s about the struggle—the process of learning that will help our students become the leaders of tomorrow. edu-ai.org/ai-will-stup...

edu-ai.org

AI Will Stupefy Our Students Unless We Do These Six Things

Artificial Intelligence both terrifies and fascinates me. I have been an educator for 39 years, and as a classroom teacher, I, like all teachers, am navigating the new world of AI. This year, I have b...

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