Blog – impactonenow.com

Pickle Bytes...

Established in 2014, Dr. Scott Pickle began his blog as a message to his staff. Since then he continues his reflective and uplifting blog that blends storytelling, leadership, and life lessons. Each post offers a spark of inspiration, a touch of humor, and a reminder that every day is an opportunity to make an impact. Subscribe today!

Pickle Bytes

Call Me Old School, But I Miss the Happy Halloween October 31, 2025
I walked into a Spirit Halloween store the other day with my 18-year-old son, and for a moment, I thought I’d accidentally wandered into the set of a horror movie. Chainsaws buzzing, clowns with dripping teeth, bloodied dolls that scream when you pass by. It was like a haunted house had exploded and someone decided […]
Redefining Assessment: Evaluating Student Learning in an AI-Enhanced Environment October 30, 2025
In today’s classrooms, the moment a student whispers, “Could you check if ChatGPT wrote that?” signals something bigger than curiosity. It represents a turning point in education. We are no longer in a world where pencil and paper alone define learning or achievement. Artificial intelligence can now generate essays, solve complex problems, and even mimic […]
AI and Equity: Bridging the Digital Divide in Education October 28, 2025
Think about our classrooms as bridges. They are not only bridges over gaps in knowledge, but also bridges over gaps in opportunity. Artificial intelligence has incredible potential to close those gaps. Yet that potential will only be realized if every student, regardless of zip code, has both access and support. Without that commitment, the bridge […]
Listen to the Educator Forever Podcast October 27, 2025
I enjoyed being a guest on the Educator Forever Podcast. It is always enjoyable to share about our profession and my book Impact Mentoring. Listen here:Educator Forever Podcast
Student Perspectives on AI: Navigating the New Learning Landscape October 27, 2025
When I walked into one of our classrooms and overhear a student saying, “I used ChatGPT to help brainstorm,” I was immediately intrigued. That short sentence held a ton of meaning. It carries curiosity, empowerment, and perhaps a little uncertainty too. Students today are not only using artificial intelligence in their learning, they are also […]
Happy Is As Happy Does October 24, 2025
There is a song by Kenny Chesney titled “Happy Is as Happy Does.” I absolutely love it. It’s simple, upbeat, and packed with truth. The idea is that happiness isn’t something that just happens, it’s something we do. It’s not a prize handed out to the lucky few, but a mindset we choose and cultivate […]
Incremental Change September 26, 2025
My entry today is a bit longer than usual and if you can stick with me, the message should resonate. Today marks a milestone for me. One thousand days ago, I set out to create a simple streak. The goal was not grand or complicated. It was simply to run, jog, or walk at least […]
Dreams September 19, 2025
There is a song that has been on repeat in my mind this week. It is by Ryan Shupe and the RubberBand and it carries a message that is both simple and profound. The song is called ‘Dream Big’. Whenever I take time to slow down and truly listen to the words, I am reminded […]
Keep September 5, 2025
This week, I found motivation from Shakespeare’s Claudius in Hamlet, "When sorrows come, they come not as a single spy but as battalions." I suppose the more current saying would be “Bad things come in threes.” We have all heard one or more variations of these sayings at one time or another in our lives. […]
Standing Up, Stepping In, and Helping Out August 26, 2025
Every so often, we come across moments that remind us what community really means. Sometimes it’s small such as holding the door for a stranger or offering a kind word when someone looks like they’re carrying the weight of the world. Other times it’s bigger like choosing to step into a difficult situation, to speak […]
Have It All August 23, 2025
This week I offer a commentary that is a little more personal as this past month has been one for the memory books. On July 24th, my oldest son got married, and our family spent three incredible weeks celebrating, laughing, reminiscing, and soaking in the joy of such a milestone event. For me, the moments […]
Simple August 22, 2025
There’s a simple lyric from Michael Franti that’s been echoing in my mind lately: “Work hard and be nice.” I play this song for my kids quite often in the mornings as a reminder at the start of their day. On the surface, it doesn’t sound like much, just five words strung together. But if […]
Pay It Forward August 15, 2025
Last spring, a small moment reminded me how the simplest acts can ripple outward in ways we might never fully see. A teacher walked into my office with a gift bag saying, “I thought you’d enjoy this,” she said, handing it to me with a smile. I opened the bag and found one of her […]
Empowering Educators: Professional Development in the Age of AI July 21, 2025
Let me be honest, even for seasoned educators, the rise of AI in the classroom can feel a bit like stepping onto a spaceship. Except instead of closing the hatch and preparing for launch we are inviting our teachers aboard and charting a shared course. Professional development in this era becomes not just helpful but essential […]
The Summer Slide: Not Just for Students Anymore May 29, 2025
As the school year winds down and summer break approaches, there's a familiar phenomenon that educators, parents, and students alike dread: the "summer slide." This term refers to the learning loss that occurs when students take an extended break from academic activities. Studies have shown that students can lose up to 20–30% of their school-year […]
Future-Ready Schools: Strategic Planning for AI Integration May 22, 2025
If there’s one thing we’ve learned from Back to the Future, it’s that the future is full of surprises. But unlike Marty McFly and Doc Brown, we don’t need a DeLorean to prepare for what’s ahead. In education, we have the power to shape our future by strategically planning for the integration of artificial intelligence […]
Building Trust: Communicating AI Policies to Parents and the Community May 8, 2025
As educators, we’re no strangers to change. From chalkboards to smartboards, from paper report cards to digital dashboards, we’ve adapted time and again. But the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) into our classrooms feels different. It is more transformative, more immediate, and yes, a bit more intimidating.I often liken it to the first time we […]
Personalized Learning with AI: Opportunities and Challenges February 26, 2025
I like to think of personalized learning as having a GPS in your classroom. You know where you’re going, maybe mastering multiplication or crafting stronger sentences, but AI can help chart a route tailored just for each student. When it works well, it can turn broad highway learning into a scenic, engaging road trip that […]
I Hope... January 31, 2025
This week for me was difficult and tiring at best. I’m sure that all parents can relate. My 5 year old contracted the norovirus and was out of school all week. The hard part is planning with my wife which one of us will stay with him. Since she is a 6th grade teacher, I […]
ChatGPT in the Classroom: Enhancing Learning or Hindering Integrity? January 29, 2025
I remember the day a student casually mentioned, “I used ChatGPT to get started on my history essay last night.” It was delivered with the same ease as, “I used Google to look something up,” and it made me pause. As educators, we’re stewards of integrity. So what happens when AI enters the homework equation?Think […]