Restoring Education: Veteran educator Priscilla Rahn invites teachers to reconnect and rebuild

By Shaina Cole | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice

This August, as educators across the country prepare for a new school year, veteran teacher and author Priscilla Rahn is offering something more than just a back-to-school refresher—she’s offering a movement.

With over three decades of experience in public education, Rahn has worn nearly every hat in the system: teacher, principal, teacher evaluator and higher education mentor. Now in her 32nd year, she’s channeling that experience into her new book, Restoring Education in America: An Inspirational Teacher Toolbox, along with a powerful professional development book study designed to reignite teachers’ passion and purpose.

“I was inspired to write the book because I’ve observed how professional development has changed,” Rahn stated. “It’s become so woke and not focused on developing masterful teachers. I’ve watched how test scores have dropped. Students are not at grade level in the most basic content areas.”

A book rooted in real experience

Rahn’s book offers more than just teaching tips. Based on what she’s seen throughout her career, Rahn’s book responds to the growing struggles inside the classroom. With decades of experience to pull from, she dives into tough topics like classroom discipline, mindset, courage and the real work of connecting with students.

Restoring Education in America encourages teachers to pause, reflect on why they started this work in the first place, and walk away with practical strategies they can use right away.

The book is divided into four focused sections:

• The Foundation of an Educator’s Heart and Mindset
• Becoming a Master Educator
• Elevating Every Student
• Creating a Future of Opportunity

Rahn’s approach goes beyond lesson plans. She talks about building character, addressing bias, and helping teachers reconnect with the deeper purpose of being an educator. A large part of what inspired her to write this book was seeing academic performance drop across the country.

In addition to what she witnessed in classrooms, Rahn was also motivated by shifts in national education policy. Another turning point came after President Trump signed executive orders ending DEI training and calling for a reduction in the size of the Department of Education. She stated, “I felt like there was an opportunity to address concerns in education. With all of my years in the classroom, I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t work. I wanted to create a tool that would help develop masterful teachers.”

From the page to practice: A book study that works

To help bring the book to life, Rahn is hosting a seven-month professional development book study starting in August 2025 and running through February 2026. The sessions will take place on Zoom.

The book study is designed to give educators time to absorb each idea, try suggestions in their classrooms and build lasting growth over the course of the semester.

“Instead of the typical ‘sit and get’ model, this book study is designed in a Socratic-style reading method of engaging with each other while asking and answering questions about what comes next,” Rahn explains.

Educators who participate will earn 18 contact hours of CDE-approved continuing education credit and receive a course certificate when they complete the study. The full experience, including the book, is just $49.

Book study details at a glance

• Cost: $49 (includes a copy of the book)
• Schedule: August 2025 through February 2026
• Format: 7 live Zoom sessions, each about 2.5 hours
• Credit: 18 contact hours, approved by the Colorado Department of Education
• Certificate: Issued upon completion
• Registration Deadline: August 2, 2025

Zoom session schedule

All sessions begin at 8:00 AM MT unless otherwise noted:

• Sat, August 23 – Chapters 1–3
• Sat, September 27 – Chapters 4–6
• Sat, October 25 – Chapters 7–9
• Tues, November 20 – Chapters 10–12 (5:00 PM MT)
• Sat, December 13 – Chapters 13–15
• Sat, January 10 – Chapters 16–18
• Sat, February 7 – Wrap-Up & Reflection
  

How to register

• Sign up here: https://forms.gle/coSPvhadqHUWU4bq5
• Or email: [email protected]
  

Rahn’s book invites educators—whether new to the field or decades in—to take a step back and reconsider what brought them into the classroom. It’s not a lecture. There’s no rigid structure. Instead, Rahn leads a dialogue—something closer to a roundtable than a course. 

It’s not about perfect answers. For Rahn, it’s about giving teachers a place to ask critical questions.

To learn more, visit priscillarahn.com.