Virtual Book Study
FREE TO ALL
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Neural Education is excited to announce our winter book study!
January 26 - March 23, 2026
For winter 2026, Neural Education’s featured book is:
Smart Teaching Stronger Learning
How can educators turn insights from cognitive science into everyday classroom practices that truly stick? In this book study of Smart Teaching Stronger Learning, participants will explore evidence-based strategies that strengthen both teaching and learning, grounded in decades of research on how the brain learns best.
Edited by Dr. Pooja K. Agarwal, each chapter in Smart Teaching, Stronger Learning draws on the expertise of leading cognitive scientists who are also classroom teachers. Each session will connect the science of how the brain learns with real examples from diverse educational settings, giving participants tools they can adapt for any age group or content area.
Through collaborative discussion and classroom application, participants will unpack how principles like retrieval practice, spaced rehearsal, metacognitive feedback, and interleaving can be tailored to their own teaching contexts. Each session invites educators to connect scientific findings to the real-world challenges and opportunities of helping students think deeply, remember more, and transfer learning in meaningful ways.
Facilitated by Neural Education Champions, Kim Shapiro and Mike Schulist.
“This book study dove deeply into the text and made multiple connections to other empowering research that supported and coincided with the book’s content.”
About the Book Study
EACH WEEK we will dive into the featured book and explore relevant and timely topics that can be applied to the classroom. By participating we will:
learn how to apply the topics with a neural lens
act as a thought partner to colleagues as you puzzle through your neural classroom practice
TIME: The sessions typically occur Monday evenings from 4:30 - 6:00pm (PT). Check the Dates/Topics for specifics.
ZOOM: A Zoom link will be emailed to you ahead of the 4:30pm start of the meeting.
PREPARE: Purchase the book from your favorite independent bookstore or order the book through our Amazon Affiliate link to support Neural Education!
Reading Schedule
(all times are Pacific Time)
Session 1
Chapter 1: Retrieval Practice
Chapter 2: Early Childhood Education
Monday, January 26, 2026
4:30-6:00 PM
Session 2
Chapter 3: Spaced Practice
Chapter 4: Interleaving
Monday, February 9, 2026
4:30-6:00 PM
Session 3
Chapter 5: Metacognition
Chapter 6: Concept Mapping
Monday, February 23, 2026
4:30-6:00 PM
Session 4
Chap 7: The Effective Teaching Cycle
Chapter 8: Transfer of Learning
Monday, March 9, 2026
4:30-6:00 PM
Session 5
Chapter 9: Bringing it Together
Chapter 10: Neuromyths Debunked
Monday, March 23, 2026
4:30-6:00 PM
7.5 Clock Hours
Washington State clock hours are available for full participation/attendance.