Educator. Writer. Advocate for Critical Thinking.

I’m an educator and writer focused on critical thinking, creativity, and how learning can work better for both students and teachers.

I spent ten years in the classroom teaching middle and high school students, primarily in literacy and the humanities, before founding TeachThought.

Since then, I’ve written extensively about education — with a particular focus on critical thinking, inquiry, and innovation in the classroom. My work has reached educators across the globe and includes hundreds of published articles that explore how learning can be rethought for a modern world.

I’ve also collaborated with organizations such as Microsoft Education, Edutopia, and The Atlantic, and have presented work at national conferences, including the University of Louisville Conference on Literature & Culture.

Over the years, I’ve worked as a consultant, curriculum designer, and keynote speaker on topics ranging from critical thinking to literacy and, more recently, using artificial intelligence to teach and learn.

Why I Started TeachThought

I created TeachThought to help educators think differently about teaching, learning, and the systems that shape both. Too often, professional development overlooks the complexity of classrooms and the need for meaningful, sustainable growth — not just for students, but for teachers too.

My goal has always been to make learning more thoughtful, more creative, and more human.

Samples of My Writing About Teaching and Learning

See the full reading list here →

My Creative Writing

I also write creatively. You can find my work on Substack or visit my personal site at terryheick.com.

Get in Touch

If you’d like to connect, inquire about speaking or collaboration, or just say hello, feel free to contact me directly. I’m always open to thoughtful conversations about learning and how we can do it better.