Garth Larson

After 6 months of writing, design, and feedback, our new website is live! Explore enhanced navigation, better access to resources, and new ways to connect with us. 👉 firsteducation-us.com #FIRSTEducation #ProfessionalLearning #EdLeadership

Strong PLCs don’t happen by accident—they’re intentionally built. In Building PLCs from the Ground Up, led by @larsongarth educators explore the foundations of meaningful collaboration, shared purpose, and team impact planning that leads to real gains in student learning. 🔗 bit.ly/4szM4h0 #PLCcenter #CollaborativeCulture #ObservableImpact

If your school is working on assessment and grading reform, you know the questions are not simple. I’m excited to be part of THE Spring SBG Conference, where I’ll be leading a session on looking at assessment as nothing more than an avenue to gather evidence of learning. It’s a full day focused on real challenges and practical solutions. May 5 | Virtual More info: firsteducation-us.com/the-spring-sbg… @1stEdResources

If grading feels harder in a co-taught classroom, that’s not a failure — it’s a signal. Episode 18 explores why shared standards, shared clarity, and shared responsibility matter more than teacher roles. 🎧 Catch the full conversation: 👉 bit.ly/3MAqk53 #FiresInGrading #CoTeaching #GradingReform @donsmithedu @beckypeppler @larsongarth @otusk12

Join us in June in Chicago for the 2026 Culturize Institute! This is more than a conference, it is a community. I’m leading a breakout session on Fostering School Leader Efficacy. We will explore the research behind collective teacher efficacy and examine how a principal’s own sense of leadership efficacy directly influences staff belief and student achievement. @1stEdResources @LarsonGarth @casas_jimmy #Culturize culturizeinstitutes.com

Strong PLCs don’t happen by accident—they’re intentionally built. In Building PLCs from the Ground Up, led by @larsongarth educators explore the foundations of meaningful collaboration, shared purpose, and team impact planning that leads to real gains in student learning. 🔗 bit.ly/4bNgSFL #PLCcenter #CollaborativeCulture #ObservableImpact

Every student. Every day. Whatever it takes. Join me and several amazing thought leaders at the 2026 Culturize Institute for two powerful days of learning, connection, and inspiration designed to elevate your school’s culture and impact. Every attendee receives: Official Culturize Institute t-shirt; Culturize Action Guide filled with practical, ready-to-use tools; Culturize Lunch Card to explore local restaurants; Access to our Night 1 Social to connect with presenters Register at firsteducation-us.com/culturize-inst…

🔥 Episode 17 is LIVE! How Culture Impacts the Change Process in Grading Reform Joined by Jimmy Casas, we explore why grading reform is inseparable from school culture and what leaders can do when resistance shows up before results. 🎧 Listen now: 👉 bit.ly/46cmENy #FiresInGrading #Leadership #AssessmentReform @casas_jimmy @larsongarth @donsmithedu @otusk12 @beckypeppler

🎯 School improvement doesn’t have to be complicated. Download the free sample chapter from Simplifying School Improvement by @larsongarth and discover a practical, focused approach to real impact, through reflection, connection, collaboration, and clarity. 📥 Get the chapter: bit.ly/4qpkh1m #SchoolImprovement #EducationalLeadership #FocusOnWhatMatters #SimplifyToAmplify #EdLeadership

The Spring SBG Conference is a one-day event for educators and leaders engaged in standards-based learning and grading. Learn more 👉 firsteducation-us.com/the-spring-sbg…

Grading reform doesn’t usually stall because of policies. It stalls because of culture. In Episode 17 of The Fires in Grading Show, we’re joined by Jimmy Casas to unpack how adult behavior, beliefs, and school culture shape whether grading change actually sticks. 🎧 New episode drops Feb 6 👉 bit.ly/4bwQjEM #FiresInGrading #SchoolCulture #GradingReform #STAGR @casas_jimmy @larsongarth @donsmithedu @otusk12 @beckypeppler

The Culturize 2026 Institute is back and this year, it’s all about reconnecting to purpose. Step away from the noise. Find peace in the pause. Reflect on your impact. Reignite your commitment. Join us as we strengthen school culture from the inside out. @larsongarth @Joe_Sanfelippo @RachelEdohoEket #Culturize2026 #Leadership #Culture #SchoolCulture #Teachers #Admin

As we wrap up the year, I’m incredibly proud of the work accomplished at FIRST Educational Resources. In 2025, we partnered with 878 districts across 62 states and countries combined, hosted 52 in-person and virtual events with more than 2,200 educators and school teams attending, and supported out in the field through 445 days of coaching, consulting, and presenting. Those numbers reflect meaningful relationships, thoughtful conversations, and real impact on leaders, teachers, students, and schools. A sincere thank you to our leadership team of Tammy Larson, @DonSmithEdu Lisa Baldauf, Shelly Daun, @BeckyPeppler @gabe_firstedu @DanicaLewis20 Kelly Barkovich, @tonyfrontier , Mark Bazata, and @Jenni_Donohoo for making this year such a success. I’m proud of what we’re building together and excited for what’s ahead in 2026.

Drawing from school and district experiences, our book identifies common barriers and provides strategies to prevent, contain, and overcome the “fires” that can derail reform efforts. 📕 firsteducation-us.com/extinguishing-…

Join us in Chicago this summer!

🎙 New episode drops Friday! We’re joined by @myrondueck author of Grading Smarter, Not Harder, for a candid conversation about where the movement began and why smarter grading still matters. 🔥 Episode 14 releases Dec 12 @ 8 AM CST 👉 bit.ly/48x9CKM #FiresInGrading #MyronDueck #GradingSmarterNotHarder #STAGR @larsongarth @beckypeppler @donsmithedu

The Culturize 2026 Institute is back—and this year, it’s all about reconnecting to purpose. Step away from the noise. Reflect on your impact. Reignite your commitment to leading with hope, excellence, and heart. Grounded in Jimmy Casas’ transformational Culturize framework, this institute helps educators explore what it truly means to Champion for Students, Carry the Banner, Expect Excellence, and be Merchants of Hope. bit.ly/3MynblX Join us as we strengthen school culture from the inside out. @larsongarth @casas_jimmy @Joe_Sanfelippo @RachelEdohoEket #Culturize2026 #EdLeadership #SchoolCulture

Thank you for an incredible year for The Fires in Grading Show. We’re so grateful for every listener, every share, and every conversation you’ve brought back to your schools. 2025 Spotify Wrapped Highlights 🏅 Marathon Show ✨ Instant Hit Show 📣 Most Shared Show 🌍 Listeners across the US, Canada, and the Netherlands Your support made our debut year unforgettable. Let’s keep the fire going. 🔥🎙️ 🔗 bit.ly/4rESprP @DonSmithedu @larsongarth @BeckyPeppler

Listen to the Grade Doctor, Ken O’Connor in this clip talk about the use of the word “work” in this clip from our recent episode. @1stEdResources @LarsonGarth @BeckyPeppler @kenoc7

Big news in math education! On Feb 4, 2026, join us for the FIRST Education Math Summit featuring keynote John Hattie. We’ll launch the Highly Trained Math Teacher (HTMT) Framework + redefine what math excellence looks like. 🔗 Register: bit.ly/4398DPl #MathSummit2026 #HTMT #MathEducation

Happening this June 23-24 - Culturize Institute returns to Chicago. Save the Date! Agenda, Session Descriptions available now - 3 Keynotes, 25 sessions, 19 presenters. Register today! We sold out last year so don’t be left out! Early-bird registrations ends December 31! culturizeinstitutes.com/events