How Schools Can Stay Ahead in a Rapidly Changing Education Landscape
As Sevenstar celebrates twenty years of partnering with Christian schools and serving families through biblically integrated online education, we’re especially grateful for the faithful team members who have shaped our story along the way. One of those remarkable leaders is Susan Powell, who served as our Student Community Liaison from January 2019 until her retirement last year. Her deep experience, steady leadership, and genuine care for students, school partners, and families alike made her an irreplaceable voice in our community.
Her journey in education began in high school when she was inspired by a passionate teacher who saw her potential and fanned her aspirations into flame. That spark led to her earning a degree in just three years and having a classroom of her own by age twenty in Fairfax County, Virginia—one of the nation’s top-performing school districts. By twenty-one, she was already serving as department chair. Over the years, Dr. Powell wore many hats: educator, department leader, technology innovator, mother of four, and spiritual mentor. In the 1990s, her pioneering work in educational technology (EdTech) helped integrate technology into classrooms statewide, years before it became mainstream. Even during a brief detour into the business world, her heart stayed with students. That passion never faded.
As we reflect on two decades of God’s faithfulness, we’re thankful for leaders like Dr. Powell, who helped strengthen the partnerships that define Sevenstar. Her legacy lives on in the schools we serve and the families who continue to benefit from her wisdom, encouragement, and unwavering commitment to Christ-centered education.
We sat down with Dr. Powell to reflect on what she learned from more than forty years on the frontlines of education. We also asked her to offer thoughts on how schools can thrive, not just survive, in a time of rapid change.
Lead with Purpose, Not Just Innovation
Technology is a tool, not a goal. And according to Dr. Powell, the starting point should always be the same: students.
When schools adopt new technology, it shouldn’t be just to keep pace with trends. It should serve a specific purpose—something tangible and mission-aligned.
“You’ve got to risk a little bit, because you want to take advantage of the technology that’s available to help with student learning,” she said, “but only as it benefits student learning. You’ve got to weigh the cost—and not just the financial cost, but the cost to student learning.”
Before diving into a shiny new platform, ask the hard questions. What problem is this solving? Will it deepen engagement? Will it empower students or teachers? If not, it may make sense to slow down and consider alternatives.
Tip: Before adopting a new platform or model, weigh both the financial investment and its impact on learning. Does it meaningfully improve student engagement or outcomes? If not, it may be worth pausing or exploring a better-fit solution.
Start with the Right People (and a Pilot)
When change is inevitable, how you manage it makes all the difference. Dr. Powell shared the importance of piloting new ideas with the right people—those who are willing to try, fail, and refine.
“I always called new ideas a pilot because that allows us to make mistakes and you build a really tight team,” she explained.
She outlined a three-tier system that can help schools navigate change successfully:
- New Idea People – These early adopters are energized by experimentation. They take risks, learn fast, and help shape the first version of a new idea.
- Trusted Influencers – These are the steady voices others listen to. They aren’t necessarily the first to try something, but when they get on board, they help make the new idea real and sustainable for the rest of the team.
- The Rest of the Staff – Once the groundwork has been laid, these are the teachers and staff who help scale the idea across the school.
Tip: Don’t just pick the tech enthusiasts for your pilot team. Choose individuals who are respected by their peers and can model resilience, curiosity, and thoughtful feedback.
“There are just people in general that are new idea people, “Susan explained. “So you’ve got to find one or two of those in the school to pilot, and then you can bring in your staff in a way that works, according to who they are, and I think you’ll have more success.”
Use Data to Drive Decisions, Not Just Reports
Dr. Powell has seen firsthand how real-time data can shift teaching from reactive to proactive. “I used three measurements: engagement, progress, and achievement,” she shared. “Engagement was, Are they logging in regularly? Progress, Are they on track? Achievement, What’s their grade?”
It’s no longer enough to wait for end-of-semester reports. Schools that make data part of the daily rhythm can catch struggling students early, celebrate growth more often, and adjust instruction in real time.
Tip: Choose platforms that make data easy to interpret, and commit to training staff to review and act on insights weekly. It’s not just about having data—it’s about using it to drive learning forward.
Don’t Underestimate Teacher Support and Clarity
Innovation is exciting—but it can also be overwhelming. Dr. Powell reminded us that even the best technology can fail without proper scaffolding and clear expectations.
“It’s about helping whoever is connected to the environment and having tools that are helpful to motivate the students, clarity on what the expectations and the strategies were for students to be successful.”
Tip: Never roll out a new platform without a professional development plan. Establish a rhythm of training, reflection, and revision to set up your teachers—and students—for success.
Focus on What’s the Same—and What’s Different
When navigating change, sometimes the simplest questions offer the most clarity. Susan shared one that helped her frame transitions well: “What’s the same, and what’s different?”
Apply this when integrating new tools or systems:
- What’s still true about learning? Relationships matter. Clarity matters.
- What’s different? No shared space. New tools. More flexibility.
- How can we bridge that gap meaningfully? Identify where support is needed, preserve what works, and build new practices with care.
Understanding the constants in learning helps educators stay grounded while they are adapting to new environments.
Build Real Relationships, Even in Virtual Spaces
Some worry that technology creates distance, but with intentionality, it can strengthen the community. As Susan puts it, “A human touch is better than touching a screen. We’ve seen that if you can get them involved, like if we get kids in student council, if we get kids in our clubs, they feel connected because they’re getting to know each other. We’ve seen virtual community building to be a value, even though we’re not in the same room.”
Online environments don’t have to feel cold or disconnected. With a little creativity, they can become places of belonging, joy, and meaningful connection.
Examples:
- Create digital student councils or clubs. This empowers students to lead and collaborate.
- Celebrate wins in virtual town halls. Be sure to highlight progress, birthdays, and classroom shout-outs.
- Use video and voice messages for a personal touch. Even a short, sincere message from a teacher can mean the world to a student.
You Don’t Have to Have All the Answers
As you navigate the ever-evolving world of education, remember this: Schools don’t need to be perfect, they just need to be willing. Willing to try, to adapt, to learn from missteps, and to always keep students at the center of every decision.
Progress doesn’t come from perfection; it comes from purposeful steps forward.
So this semester, take just one step. Start a small pilot. Explore a new instructional model. Revisit how you’re using your data tools. Whatever it is, do it with intention and with the confidence that meaningful growth begins with movement.
Tag:EdTech, Educators, Online Learning, School
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