At Mimi & Todd Press, we publish and market authors who are making a difference, have a story to tell, and are making an impact. We are proud to feature authors who are both thought leaders and practitioners dedicated to creating real change in schools. In this author spotlight, we sit down virtually with Aaron Eisberg, co-author of the newest release in the Re-Envisioning Rigor series, to talk about the ideas, routines, and clarity that drive deeper learning in every classroom.
Educators and school leaders will find this interview packed with insight—why we need to redefine rigor, how clarity and complexity coexist, and what powerful instruction looks like on a daily basis. Whether you’re looking to support your team with actionable tools or simply want to feel refreshed in your purpose, this conversation has something for you.
Stay tuned for more interviews in our Mimi & Todd Press Author Series, where we go beyond the page to explore the passion, strategy, and story behind each book.
Inspiration and Purpose for Writing
Q: What pivotal experience or insight motivated you to write this book, and what impact do you hope it has on educators and learners?
A: While many educators are committed to deeper learning, they often lack tangible, ready-to-use strategies that make that vision a daily reality. I wanted to create a resource filled with practical routines that teachers can implement immediately, starting tomorrow, not after weeks of planning. My goal is for educators to feel supported with clear visuals and easy to understand tools that bring clarity to instruction and empower students to engage in meaningful, transferable learning.
Re-Envisioning Rigor: New Thinking on an Old Topic
Q: How does your work challenge traditional views regarding academic rigor and why is re-envisioning rigor so important now?
A: My work challenges traditional views of academic rigor by moving beyond the notion that rigor simply means more work, faster pace, or harder content. Instead, I define rigor as the intentional intensity of surface, deep, and transfer learning, with equal intensity. Re-Envisioning Rigor is about creating learning experiences that are not only challenging but also meaningful, authentic, and accessible to all students. In today’s classrooms, it’s more important than ever to offer diverse strategies that engage learners and make learning relevant, enabling them to apply their understanding in real-world contexts, not just recall knowledge for a test.
Navigating Complexity
Q: What was the most surprising challenge you encountered while writing your book, and how did it deepen your understanding of the subject matter?
A: One of the most surprising challenges I encountered while writing the book was navigating the complexity of making something simple. Translating deep, research-based practices into clear, accessible routines without watering them down required constant reflection and iteration. I wanted every routine to be both powerful and practical, something a teacher could understand at a glance and use with intention. Spending the majority of my career in the Project Based Learning (PBL) world, there are persistent myths about implementing projects that we tackle in the pages of our books. This process deepened my appreciation for the craft of teaching and reinforced the idea that clarity and rigor are not opposites; they must go hand-in-hand to truly support all learners.
Personal Growth Through Writing
Q: In what ways did the process of writing this book influence your own beliefs about teaching, learning, or leadership?
A: Writing this book pushed me to reflect deeply on what truly drives impactful teaching and learning as well as leadership in the implementation of effective instructional methods. It reinforced my belief that powerful instruction and leading isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing what matters with clarity and purpose. The process reminded me that leadership in education means making complex ideas usable and helping others feel confident enough to try something new. I came away with a stronger conviction that small, well-designed routines can lead to big shifts in how students engage, think, and transfer their learning.
Advice for Educators
Q: If educators could take just one key idea from your book to immediately transform their practice, what would it be, and why?
A: If educators take one key idea from our book, it’s this: routines are the engine of rigorous learning, especially in project-based environments. Too often, teachers are inspired by the vision of PBL but are left asking, “What does this actually look like day to day?” They may spend hours planning ambitious projects, only to feel unsure about how to structure each class period to keep students engaged and thinking deeply.
This book was written to solve that problem. It offers daily instructional routines that can live within any project, ensuring that students, not teachers, are doing the heavy cognitive lifting. These routines scaffold thinking, support differentiation, and provide clarity without sacrificing depth. They are intentionally designed to help teachers make each day purposeful, focused, and manageable. With clear visuals, real examples, and ready-to-use tools, the goal is for educators to feel empowered to implement immediately, transforming their practice one routine at a time. This book also supports leaders in the “look-fors,” or key indicators, when supporting teachers in their implementation.
What is Aaron reading?
Q: What are you currently reading for work or pleasure that you would recommend and why?
A: I’ve been revisiting the works of Stephen Ambrose, particularly Undaunted Courage and Band of Brothers. His storytelling is both deeply human and historically rich; he has a gift for bringing complex events to life through the eyes of those who experienced them. I’d recommend his books to any educator or leader because they remind us that great accomplishments often come when ordinary people face extraordinary challenges. Whether you’re reading for work or pleasure, Ambrose’s writing offers valuable lessons in leadership, resilience, and the power of vision—all themes that resonate deeply in education.
Thanks to Aaron from all of us at MTP and tune in next month to hear from another of our amazing authors.
Ready to read? Pick up a copy of Aaron’s recent collaborations with author Michael McDowell, A Visual, Step-By-Step Guide for Re-Envisioning Rigor: Powerful Routines for Promoting Learning at High Levels and A Visual, Step-by-Step Guide for Re-Envisioning Rigor: Powerful Routines for Promoting Rigorous Problem and Project Based Learning.
Visit Mimi & Todd Press for more innovative, practical books dedicated to improving teaching and learning.
