The Top 10 Most-Read Articles on Why Edify in 2025

Every year, I look back at what resonated most with teachers who visit Why Edify. The data tells a story—not about what I thought was important, but about what you needed most.

2025 was a year of challenges in education. But it was also a year where teachers showed up, searched for solutions, and refused to settle for the status quo. These ten articles were the ones you turned to most often. If you missed any of them, they're worth your time.

Here's what mattered most to you this year.

#1: The Impact of Cellphone Use on Students in the Classroom

The cellphone battle is real, and this article became the most-visited post on Why Edify in 2024. It breaks down the research on how phone use impacts student learning, offers practical management strategies, and provides resources you can actually use in your classroom tomorrow.

The fact that this was #1 tells me you're not just dealing with distraction—you're dealing with a fundamental shift in how students engage (or don't engage) with learning. This article doesn't judge. It just helps.

#2: Grudge Ball: The Test Review Game That Actually Works

Teachers are tired of test review that feels like pulling teeth. Grudge Ball changes that. It's competitive, engaging, and gets students invested in the material without realizing they're studying.

This post stayed popular all year because it solves a universal problem: How do you make review something students actually want to do? Grudge Ball is the answer, and thousands of teachers discovered it here.

#3: 12 Must-Read Books for Teachers

Teachers read. Not because you have to, but because you're constantly looking for ways to grow—both professionally and personally. This curated list became a go-to resource for summer reading and professional development throughout the year.

The books on this list aren't just about teaching strategies. They're about sustainable practice, purpose, and becoming the kind of teacher who lasts. That combination clearly struck a chord.

#4: 50 Affirmations for Teachers

Teaching is hard on your mind. This article offers 50 affirmations designed specifically for teachers—ones that build confidence, reduce stress, and help you show up as your best self in the classroom.

The fact that this made the top 10 tells me you're not just looking for classroom strategies. You're also looking for ways to protect your mental health and remind yourself why this work matters. That's important work.

#5: The Importance of Service Learning

Service learning connects classroom content to real-world impact. This article breaks down why it matters, how to implement it, and what benefits you can expect for both students and your school community.

You found this article because you're not satisfied with teaching content in isolation. You want students to see how their learning can make a difference beyond the walls of your classroom. That's the kind of teaching that changes lives.

#6: What's a Golden Line?

Sometimes the simplest strategies are the most powerful. A Golden Line is a reading comprehension technique that helps students identify and engage with the most important parts of a text.

This short, straightforward post became a staple resource because it's immediately actionable. You can teach it today. Students can use it tomorrow. That's the kind of clarity teachers need.

#7: Using Proficiency Scales to Track Student Learning

Assessment is evolving, and proficiency scales offer a more meaningful way to track growth than traditional grades alone. This article walks you through how to create and use them effectively in your classroom.

Teachers who found this post were looking for assessment that actually informs instruction. You weren't satisfied with grades that just rank students. You wanted tools that help students see their progress and know what comes next.

#8: 24 Best Education Blogs

Teachers learn from other teachers. This curated list of the best education blogs became a resource hub for those looking to expand their professional learning beyond the usual suspects.

The popularity of this post reminds me that teaching doesn't have to be isolating. There's a whole world of educators sharing ideas, and you're actively seeking out those voices. That's how movements start.

#9: Benefits of Using Paper Interactive Notebooks

In a digital world, paper still matters. Interactive notebooks engage students in hands-on learning, enhance critical thinking, and create a personalized resource they can return to again and again.

This article made the list because you're not just chasing the newest tech trend. You're choosing what actually works for your students, even when it's decidedly low-tech. That's pedagogical wisdom, not trend-following.

#10: Sphero Battle Bots STEM Challenge

STEM education should be engaging, collaborative, and fun. This Sphero Battle Bots challenge delivers on all three, giving students a hands-on way to learn coding, engineering, and problem-solving.

This post rounded out the top 10 because you're looking for ways to make learning come alive. You want students excited about science and technology. Battle Bots does that—and you found it here.

What This List Tells Me

Looking at these ten articles, a pattern emerges: You're looking for practical solutions to real problems. You're not interested in theory without application. You want tools you can use, strategies that work, and resources that make your job more sustainable.

You're also looking for ways to grow—both as a teacher and as a person. You want to be better at your craft, but you also want to protect your mental health and remind yourself why this work matters.

That's exactly what Why Edify is here for.

What's Next?

If you found value in these articles, there's more where that came from. Here's how to stay connected:

Join The STRONG Teacher's Lounge – This is where teachers who are great at their job but exhausted by it come to build sustainable practices. It's a community built on the STRONG Framework, Stoic philosophy, and the belief that you can be excellent without burning out. Learn more and join here.

Subscribe to the Newsletter – Every week, I share practical strategies, philosophical insights, and resources designed to help you thrive in the classroom without sacrificing your life outside of it. Subscribe here.

Thank You

To everyone who read, shared, and used these articles in 2025—thank you. Your engagement tells me this work matters. Your feedback helps me create better resources. And your commitment to sustainable, purposeful teaching inspires everything I do.

Here's to a 2026 where we continue to get better—1% at a time.

Stay STRONG.

— Jeremy