Weekly Inspo Vids - Week Thirty-Nine

May 30, 2026

∙ Paid

Hi folks,

We’re almost to the end of the year! And many of you are already done. This is the perfect opportunity for a little experiment.

You in?

So, pretty soon, I’ll be sending out the full results of my annual survey. It was very enlightening, as always. One of my theories this year has been that folks are getting sick of AI-generated content. I had been toying with the idea of going 100%, full-blown Mike-only generated content for next year. As in, I do all the research, design, and synthesis of the Emailable PD, etc.

And so, I asked paid subscribers this question (responses summarized):

I was not surprised to find that no one preferred AI-generated content. What I was fascinated by is that a majority of folks were somewhat indifferent as long as the content was high-quality.

Currently, I use AI like a high-powered search engine. It helps with research, brainstorming, synthesizing, etc. (As I’ve said before, this part of the email - where I’m talking directly to you - will always be only me. You probably notice it’s too imperfect to be anything else.) I’ve never actually used it to generate the design of the Emailable PD. I’ve just never been satisfied with the results.

But lately, generative AI is getting quite good. So, we’re going to give it a shot this week.

This week’s Emailable PD is free to everyone, and the design was created via detailed prompts. I give it quite a few parameters, as well as my previous work to base it on, but the output this week is not Mike-generated.

Let me know what you think. I’d be very interested to get your feedback. So scroll on down and come back and take the survey, if you’re so inclined.

Mike

P.S. We are indeed near the end. Next week will be the last regular weekly installment for ‘25-26, but of course I’ll be communicating all summer about updates, new features, etc.

Mike’s Dying to Know

Weekly Video

Use in staff newsletters, encouraging emails, etc.

Shaq’s 5 Life Lessons

Possible Caption: Resume skills aren’t the most important.

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Weekly Quote

“I have learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances."
Martha Washington

Weekly Emailable PD

Use in staff newsletters, emailable PD messages, etc.

Suggested Email Body:

This week’s resource focuses on a simple but meaningful way to finish the year: helping students notice and celebrate their own growth. As the year winds down, it can be easy for students to focus only on what is unfinished, what comes next, or how ready they are for summer.

The challenge is not simply helping students complete the year, but helping them recognize how far they have come. When students reflect on academic growth, personal growth, community growth, and next-step growth, they begin to see evidence that their effort has mattered.

This week’s resource offers practical, low-prep ways to build reflection into the final stretch, helping students name progress, connect effort to outcomes, and leave the year with a stronger sense of ownership.