Small is good, small is all. It is a short but powerful missive that first came to bear for me working in a residential high school for nine years and that I return to often in my work.  While we are often fed the narrative to “go big or go home”, the greatest lessons I learned from my students were about how the smallest moments can sometimes have the greatest impact. Moments like gifting a student a copy of their favorite author’s book; moments like sending a student an email to let them know their presentation at our all-school meeting moved me to tears; moments like asking them if I can frame and put their artwork up in our center’s office. Small moments that in totality helped my students feel seen and valued as their whole selves. And, now that I have moved on to Macmillan Learning, small is good, small is all is shaping how I think about our newest Community of Practice.  The saying is one of nine principles outlined in adrienne maree brown’s Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds, in which she invites readers to reconsider how we can enact sustainable and scalable change. Drawing inspiration from biomimicry—the practice of using nature's systems to solve complex problems—brown demonstrates how the smallest, seemingly simple changes can drive meaningful innovation. brown’s work borrows from the tradition of Octavia Butler, whose books remain important reads across hundreds of high schools, colleges, and universities. Butler’s writing explores themes like social change and resistance and deftly moves between the past, present and future to show how community members (locally, globally and across liminal space) being in dialogue with each other can transform small seeds of ideas (literally and figuratively)  into a forest of possibilities.  At Macmillan Learning, this principle resonates deeply. Just as Butler imagines new possibilities for coexistence and social change, our mission—to inspire what’s possible for every learner—anchors us in the belief that education is a powerful force for progress. Building a Community of Practice Our new Community of Practice reflects this principle, centering on diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusive pedagogy. Educational Theorist Etienne Wenger, in partnership with Beverley Wenger in the ‘90s, identified three factors that distinguish Communities of Practice from other working groups: a clear articulation of the purpose, the right people and effective practice, all operating in service of cultivating a space where knowledge sharing and production are constantly in motion.  For us at Macmillan Learning, that has meant building on the good work of our previously established Diversity and Inclusion working group. The Community of Practice brings together colleagues from a cross section of content areas, including the Learning Resource Group, our team that produces learner-centered content and the Pedagogical Design Group, our team that uses data to bridge inclusive pedagogy, accessibility, and the best practices of course design to improve our products and empower instructors and learners.  Together, our Community of Practice represents colleagues whose focus is to stay informed about best practices in teaching and learning to make informed decisions about how and why we might incorporate them in new and innovative ways, identifying specific ways to move our work forward and hold ourselves accountable–all to drive better outcomes for students and instructors.  We’ll be working together to lower barriers to educational excellence for students and instructors while empowering educators to create transformative classroom experiences. And do it well, through a rigorously studied and informed design of our content and products. By focusing on thoughtful, evidence-based design, we’re not just improving education; we’re equipping students to thoughtfully engage with and shape the world around them. The Questions That Guide Us Our goals are lofty, but attainable -- especially if we find the right framework, container, and community to support the work. brown and Butler outlined this approach in their work: we need a framework oriented towards problem solving, but that would also provide us with space, time, and an accountability structure to do deep and honest work. This involves asking and answering critical questions around our current DEIA practices, and subsequently establishing shared practices.  While we are just getting underway, the questions we are asking give us an opportunity to get clarity about what types of problems we’re aiming to solve, what data will inform our approach, and how we can learn across discipline and content areas. These questions allow us to break down the enormity of the task before us, to understand how what we enact on a small scale will be representative of what we’re able to build on a larger scale.  For example, in what ways does our content serve as a window for students to learn about other cultures and experiences outside their own and mirror to see themselves and their experiences reflected back? How does the structure and outline of our course materials support a learner's ability to access and retain information? How are we helping students make sense of the world around them and their place in it? How do we help cultivate joy and curiosity for learning? There are so many more questions, but our community at Macmillan Learning is eager to learn from and alongside each other. We believe that by taking small but deliberate steps, we can make a profound impact—transforming education, one small action at a time. And while on our journey, we remember the words from adrienne maree brown’s Emergent Strategy: small is good, small is all. ... View more

At Macmillan Learning, our authors are more than just experts in their fields—they’re passionate educators, researchers, and innovators who inspire learners around the world. Through our author spotlights, we’ve had the privilege of sharing their stories, insights, and the expertise that shapes our resources. These features highlight the people behind the pages, giving you a glimpse into what motivates them, their journeys in education, and how they’re making a difference both inside and outside the classroom. Today, we’re revisiting some of the voices that make our mission possible. From groundbreaking researchers to dedicated teachers, let’s get to know more than 10 experts in biology, composition, economics, history, physics, psychology, and statistics who bring learning to life. Albert Bandura More than just the man behind the iconic Bobo Doll experiment, Albert Bandura transformed the way we understand human behavior and learning. As the author of the enduring Self-Efficacy and Moral Disengagement, his work explored the depths of social learning theory, empowering educators and students to see how psychology shapes their everyday lives. This blog reflects on Bandura’s extraordinary legacy and the profound impact his research continues to have on psychology education and beyond. Mia Bay Transportation is often thought of as a means to connect people, but for much of American history, it’s also been a site of division and resistance. Dr. Mia Bay, co-author of Freedom on My Mind, brings this complex history to life, exploring the intertwined narratives of African American history and social justice. Her work challenges students to think critically about the past and its connections to the present. This blog delves into Dr. Bay’s contributions to education, her research, and how she inspires learners to understand history as a tool for change. Richard Campbell From polls telling us who is winning various political races, to commercials telling us about a toothbrush recommended by nine out of ten dentists, facts and figures inform the stories that help us understand the world around us. In this blog we spoke to communications instructor and Media and Culture: Mass Communication in a Digital Age author Richard Campbell about how he teaches his students about the stats behind the stories.  Uzzie Cannon "You can't be a great writer unless you're reading," says Dr. Uzzie Cannon, co-author of Rereading America: Cultural Contexts for Critical Thinking and Writing. An Associate Professor of English at Norfolk State University, Dr. Cannon's journey from an avid reader to a passionate educator has been marked by her dedication to enhancing students' critical thinking and writing skills. Her contributions to the latest edition of Rereading America reflect her commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in education. This blog delves into Dr. Cannon's educational background, teaching philosophy, and her impact on empowering students to appreciate diverse perspectives. Eric Chiang Economics doesn’t have to be some pie-in-the-sky, impractical set of concepts, and Dr. Chiang doesn’t teach it that way. Instead, the Economics: Principles for a Changing World author takes his students on a journey around the world and through the complexities of economics; he encourages students to consider how someone in different countries would solve an economic problem. This blog delves into Dr. Chiang’s passion for teaching, his unique global approach to economics education, and how he brings real-world issues to life in his classroom. Tyler Cowen Renowned economist Dr. Tyler Cowen is a thought leader whose influence extends far beyond the classroom. As the Holbert L. Harris Chair of Economics at George Mason University and the co-author of  Modern Principles of Economics, Dr. Cowen is celebrated for his innovative teaching approach and sharp insights into economic theory. His widely-read blog, Marginal Revolution, and his groundbreaking work with the Emergent Ventures grant program showcase his dedication to advancing ideas that shape the future. This spotlight highlights his ability to connect big ideas with practical applications, inspiring students and educators alike to think critically about the economic forces shaping our world. Jay Dolmage Steep steps can be a common barrier in education, both literally and symbolically. Dr. Jay Dolmage has dedicated his career to breaking these barriers and creating more inclusive educational environments. As the co-author of How to Write Anything, Dr. Dolmage helps to change the way we think about education while advocating for systemic change. This blog delves into his work, exploring his strategies for fostering accessibility and reimagining higher education to better support all learners. Doug Emlen An award-winning evolutionary biologist and educator, Dr. Emlen’s work has captivated both students and researchers alike. As the co-author of Evolution: Making Sense of Life, Dr. Emlen combines his expertise in evolutionary biology with a passion for storytelling to make complex scientific concepts engaging and accessible. His groundbreaking research on animal weaponry has earned him global recognition, including prestigious accolades like the Phi Beta Kappa Award in Science. This spotlight celebrates Dr. Emlen’s ability to blend cutting-edge research with innovative teaching, inspiring educators and students to explore the fascinating intricacies of evolution. Roger Freedman A renowned astrophysicist and educator, Dr. Freeman has spent his career making the complexities of physics not just accessible, but genuinely engaging for students. As a co-author of the widely used Universe series, his work stands out for its clarity, real-world applications, and ability to spark curiosity in learners. This spotlight showcases not only his impressive academic achievements but also his unwavering dedication to equipping educators with the tools they need to inspire the next generation of scientists. Allison Sidle Fuligni & Andrew Fuligni Though both experts in developmental psychology with different educational and career journeys, Dr. Allison Sidle Fuligni and Dr. Andrew Fuligni have collaborated on two major endeavors: their family and Scientific American: Lifespan Development. Together, they bring decades of expertise to this exploration of human development, blending rigorous research with relatable examples to guide students through the journey from infancy to late adulthood. This blog delves into their unique partnership, highlighting how their combined strengths have shaped this impactful resource. We hope you enjoyed getting to know this group of our expert authors. Stay tuned next week, as we plan to feature another group of outstanding authors and explore their contributions in various fields and in teaching.  ... View more