Rebecca Holmes

@axooms Two education tweets in a week??? It’s almost like you’re coming back! (Still plenty of work over here…) ;)

100% with this. If you are a profit-maximizing organization, you should not also have non-profit status. #edcolo nytimes.com/2025/12/10/opi…

@HippyMomPhD But many schools offer gpa weighting for trig and calc which incentivizes kids who are aiming at class ranks and competitive admissions.

@HippyMomPhD We frequently add to the American HS curriculum & rarely edit anything away or differentiate which future majors/fields need something. Many would be better served by mastering algebraic thinking & then taking stats. Ideally everyone takes financial literacy and econ.

CHANGE MY MIND: The focus on Calculus in high school is antiquated & only serves students headed for STEM Most kids would be FAR better served by deeper statistics & financials, helping them run businesses & invest their money

@gordonsin @HippyMomPhD For students not on a calculus path, do you think some of the same reasoning and critical thinking can be achieved through a very solid mastery of algebra?

I mostly agree with your points, particularly about the need for financial literacy and the efficacy of linear algebra over calculus for many practical applications. However, I do believe calculus has a unique advantage in fostering critical thinking. Calculus teaches students to think in terms of limits and change, which can be incredibly powerful for developing abstract reasoning. The concepts of derivatives and integrals push students to understand not just static quantities but dynamic processes and how they evolve, which can parallel real-life problem-solving where outcomes are often based on rates of change. This aspect of calculus might not be directly applicable to all students' future careers but instills a method of thinking that's valuable in many scientific and engineering disciplines. That said, you're correct that there are alternative paths to teach critical and abstract thinking. Socratic discussion, as you mentioned, can be just as effective for honing logical reasoning through debate and questioning. Advanced sciences, particularly those involving complex systems or theoretical work, also require and develop these skills without necessarily needing calculus. Therefore, while I see the value in calculus for critical thinking, I'm open to the idea that a curriculum could be diversified to include other methods or subjects that might resonate better with different learning styles or career paths.

If you have friends who are social studies teachers, buy them a coffee. Or a Xanax. A tasteful LEGO set. It's going to be a helluva week. 🙏

@d51supt @NCTM @edinitiativeco Math is life! My obsession with fixing how we teach it makes me super fun at parties..

@Rebholmesedu @NCTM @edinitiativeco I love that you love books on math. 😂🙌

Thank you @NCTM for the book I’m most excited to read this month. Colorado needs a statewide reimagining and I’m eager to dive in. @edinitiativeco

I’m very excited to sit alongside rockstar friends later today at the @DenAiSummit panel on AI in education. A whole day on I for good and the ways Denver and Colorado can lead the way!

@PepsMccrea Read @Ready4rigor research on warm demanders. And remember that you’re in the business of human development. If you’re not authentically curious about the humans in your classroom, you’re doomed.

Frequent advice to new teachers is “build better relationships.” That’s vague and almost impossible to act on. Experienced teachers: what’s one *actionable* practice a new teacher can try tomorrow?

We are all math people!!!

@msmitty34 @Durango9R @edinitiativeco @DurangoSupt @GetSchoolAI @AdobeForEdu @AdobeExpress What a treat to get to share a little snapshot of your work with tonight’s audience! Thank you so much for making the trip.

Thrilled to release this today and even more excited to roll up our sleeves with partners to usher in a transformative moment for Colorado kids and teachers!

Happening Next Week—FREE AI Virtual Summit: Leading AI Innovation on July 23, 3:30–4:45 p.m. MST. Hosted by CEI & aiEDU, designed for school leaders & anyone interested in AI in education. Explore case studies, share insights, & join the Q&A. Register: bit.ly/3XmzipN

"It is rare for people to come into themselves if no one is excited and curious about their core, their potential."

@clhubes This was the era when, at least once, I got a cup of milk from a Starbucks drive-thru because taking two kids under two in to the grocery store was going to be the final straw.

@drgurner I’ve been thinking about this all week (as a very committed, passionate CEO). I’m inclined to agree, except… kids. I don’t think they diminish true commitment and passion but if you’re parenting well, they rebalance your priorities.

If your ambition fades with age, you don't really have it in your blood. That's an "interest," not a passion. It's a "job," or a "way of making money." True, deep passions stick with you for life... Real Ambition is a monster.

Colorado taking big steps forward today on expanding access to higher education. @edinitiativeco #edcolo @GovofCO

Colorado did work with @YongZhaoEd years ago that highlighted why entrepreneurial competencies must be core to our ed system. I just got to see that in action at the coolest place! If you’re a ms/hs teacher & haven’t booked a field trip to @JARockyMountain’s new location, do it!

@hjchikoore My favorite Nugget!

I don’t often use the word “deserve,” but I’m not sure there’s a more striking contrast between an old school and a new school than what’s about to open at Grand Junction HS, for a community of kids who certainly deserve it. @d51supt @d51schools @edinitiativeco