From the top of the Oxford Castle mound, I paused to take in the view and reflect on the extraordinary gift of the week.
Once again, I had been given the privilege of presenting research at the Oxford Education Research Symposium, surrounded by scholars from across the United States and around the world. To be welcomed into that community as a researcher remains deeply humbling.
Thank you to the Oxford Research 2026 Team who said, “yes” to join me on this journey this year:
Dr. Nicci Dowd, Marymount University;
Dr. Joy Roberts, Co-founder of Friendzy. Co;
Dr. Julie Cantillon, Senior Vice President of Professional Learning, ADAC, Inc.;
Noreen Bryan, Chief Communications Officer, NCC, Washington, D.C.; and
Dr. Julie Widman, Co-Founder of Friendzy. Co.
I found myself thinking about the questions that had been raised, the wisdom nuggets I had gathered, and the many scholars whose work challenged me to remain curious. I also reflected on the relationships that had formed through meals, presentations, walks through Oxford, and conversations that continued long after each formal session ended.
We Are Always Learning
Before leaving Oxford, I recorded a short reflection from the Castle mound. I then invited three remarkable scholars to share what they were taking away from the week:
Dr. Nicci Dowd, Assistant Professor at Marymount University
Dr. Joy Roberts, Co-Founder of Friendzy
Dr. Alvera “Ali” H. McMillan, Education Specialist, Louisiana State University
Nicci and Joy joined me in Oxford as members of our Oxford Symposia 2026 Research Team, presenting our research on professional learning as an infrastructure mechanism to support teacher retention. Ali presented her work on the intersection of literacy and nature place-based learning as a transformative pedagogical approach to K-12 education.
I wanted to bring their reflections together in one video, which presented another opportunity for me to learn.
With some very helpful guidance, I learned how to use Google video editing to splice two recordings together. I was so proud of myself when it worked! Only after publishing the video on YouTube did I learn how to edit the captions. One of the automatically generated captions had misspelled Friendzy. (Sigh). The perfectionist in me immediately noticed the error. The lifelong learner in me had to acknowledge that I had gained another new skill, although perhaps a little later than I would have preferred. I made sure Friendzy was spelled correctly in the video description and reminded myself that growth rarely arrives wrapped in perfection.
There will always be something else to learn. Perhaps that is part of the message I am carrying home from Oxford., to never lose the gift of curiosity
The Oxford Education Research Symposium brings together scholars, educators, researchers, practitioners, and leaders who are committed to advancing the theory and practice of education. The breadth of scholarship shared during the 2026 Symposium was extraordinary. Each presenter brought a different perspective, research interest, institutional context, and lived experience into the room.
I was inspired by every researcher who had the courage to stand before colleagues and share work that mattered deeply to them. Although I could never capture every presentation in one reflection, I made special note of several scholars whose work, questions, and presence gave me something to continue thinking about:
Dr. Michael G. MacDonald, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Research in the Faculty of Education at the University of Windsor, Canada
Dr. Anne Moll, Dean; Dr. Chris Harnden, Director of Human Services; and Sarah Fedishen, Human Services Internship Coordinator, from Colorado Mountain College, USA
Meri Nasilyan, Course Director in the Carnegie School of Education at Leeds Beckett University, United Kingdom
Dr. Michael Gerard Mason, Staff Psychotherapist at the University of Virginia, USA
Dr. Abigail O. Akande, Associate Professor of Rehabilitation and Human Services at Penn State Abington, USA
Dr. Jamon Flowers and Dr. Juanita Johnson-Bailey from the University of Georgia, USA
Dr. Rosalinda Larios, Associate Professor of Special Education at California State University, Fullerton, USA
Dr. Jocelyn L. N. Wong, Associate Professor and Assistant Dean for Student Affairs in the Faculty of Education at The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Dr. Alvera H. McMillan, Education Specialist with the Louisiana Sea Grant College Program at Louisiana State University, USA
Dr. Claude Hutto, Dean and Assistant Vice Provost for the Division of Professional and Continuing Studies at Morehouse College, USA
Dr. Cara Chang, Associate Professor of English at Leeward Community College within the University of Hawaiʻi System, USA
Irodakhon Gulamova, Senior Lecturer in the Department of English at New Uzbekistan University, Uzbekistan
This is not an exhaustive list, nor is it intended as a ranking of the presentations. It is simply a small window into the range of scholars, institutions, countries, disciplines, and perspectives represented during the week. Each name in my notes represents a person who was willing to ask a question, examine an issue, gather evidence, and contribute to our collective understanding of education.
Research Becomes More Powerful Through Relationships
The formal presentations were central to the Symposium, but some of the most meaningful learning also occurred around the presentations.
It happened when someone asked a thoughtful question, when a scholar approached another presenter to continue a conversation, and during meals, walks, and informal moments when professional titles became less important, and people began sharing the stories behind their research.
These encounters reminded me that research is not meant to remain isolated within a presentation, paper, or institution. Research becomes more powerful when it creates conversation. It becomes more meaningful when it connects people. It becomes transformational when it is translated into practices that serve others.
This is especially important for those of us studying schools, educators, leadership, belonging, professional learning, and school culture. Behind every data point is a person, behind every finding is a story, and behind every recommendation is an opportunity to improve the experience of an educator, student, family, school, or community.
What Am I Carrying Home? I am carrying home renewed curiosity. As educators and leaders, may we never take curiosity for granted. Curiosity keeps us asking better questions. It invites us to listen before assuming. It opens us to perspectives that may be different from our own.
I am carrying home gratitude…
I remain grateful for my Oxford Symposia 2026 Research Team and the JOY of working alongside scholars who are committed to using research in service to the profession. I am grateful for every person who shared an idea, asked a question, offered encouragement, or helped me see an issue through a different lens.
I am carrying home a deeper responsibility.
Presenting research is an honor, but the presentation itself cannot be the final destination. The greater responsibility is to consider what we will do with what we have learned.
How will this research support educators?
How might it strengthen leadership?
How can it help schools become places where people experience trust, belonging, purpose, and joy?
How will we translate scholarship into action?
An Invitation to Listen
Rather than interpret the reflections shared by Nicci, Joy, and Ali, I invite you to hear their wisdom in their own words.
You can watch our Oxford Symposia 2026 reflection on the Sharing the Good with Dr. Denise Ball YouTube channel and listen anywhere you find your favorite podcasts.
Please feel welcome to visit my YouTube channel and explore other conversations and reflections on belonging, school culture, leadership, faith, gratitude, and the joy of the work.
I am still learning how to navigate this new platform. I am learning how to record, edit, splice videos, correct captions, and share messages in new ways. I will undoubtedly make mistakes along the way. I appreciate the grace and any feedback or words of wisdom you would like to share.
Carrying the Learning Forward: The Middle School Culture Blueprint
One of the gifts of gathering with researchers from around the world is the opportunity to return to our own work with renewed curiosity, clarity, and purpose. As I leave Oxford, one project at the forefront of my mind is The Middle School Culture Blueprint, a manuscript Dr. LaTonya White and I are developing to support middle school educators and leaders as they intentionally create cultures where both students and adults can thrive.
The project is grounded in research, literature, feedback from the field, and the lived experiences of educators who understand the unique joys and challenges of serving middle school students. Our hope is to offer more than a collection of ideas. We are working to develop a practical, research-informed framework that can help school communities establish shared expectations, strengthen relationships, build belonging, and create a positive rhythm for the school year.
On August 5th, tune in to listen to Middle School Culture Blueprint: Creating a Positive Start to the 2026-2027 School Year with reflections from the field.
Reflections from the Field
On August 5, the Sharing the Good with Dr. Denise Ball channel will feature a special conversation:
Middle School Culture Blueprint: Reflections from the Field, Creating a Positive Start to the 2026-2027 School Year.
I will be joined by an outstanding panel of Catholic school educators and leaders who bring wisdom from the classroom, school leadership, diocesan service, and professional formation:
- Lyn Reavis, Director for Educational Programs, Catholic Schools Office, Archdiocese of Washington
- Tricia Florance, Teacher, Most Holy Trinity Academy, Archdiocese of Detroit
- Karina Lepkowski, Principal, Most Holy Trinity, Archdiocese of Detroit
- Mary Frances Peters, Teacher, St. Anne’s Catholic School, Archdiocese of Detroit
- Dr. Nancy Baker, Principal, School of the Incarnation, Archdiocese of Baltimore
Their voices are essential to this work!
Research and literature can provide important foundations, but educators working directly with students, teachers, and families help us understand how ideas are experienced in actual school communities. Their reflections will help us explore what teachers and leaders can do before students arrive, during the opening weeks of school, and throughout the year to intentionally cultivate a healthy middle school culture.
This conversation also represents what I hope the Sharing the Good platform can become: a bridge between scholarship and practice. The purpose is not simply to create and post content. It is to make research accessible, invite practitioners into the conversation, and provide encouragement and practical support to those serving in schools each day.
Oxford reminded me of the importance of continuing to ask questions.
The Middle School Culture Blueprint reminds me of the importance of listening carefully to those closest to the work. Dr. White and I are very excited about this work as we continue to finalize our manuscript draft in the hope of preparing it for publication.
Together, research, reflection, and the wisdom of the field can help us develop resources that genuinely serve educators and the students entrusted to their care.
What wisdom are you carrying forward, and how will you use it in service to others?
May we always seek knowledge in all things,
Denise
Join me in conversation or listen to the chats I am having with educators and school leaders. They inspire me and I hope they will inspire you, too!
Unlock the Teacher 