Wendy Amato and Marcee Harris, The Case for Warm Demanders in Today’s Schools (March 1, 2026). Amato and Harris effectively make the case for warm demanders, explaining what make someone a warm demander, someone who connects with students and has very high expectations, and what does not fit within the paradigm, e.g., someone who is not too lenient and someone who is not rigid.

. . . In a time of complexity and confusion, it’s no longer enough to rely on abstract ideals. Educators need concrete, research-backed tools that drive meaningful classroom transformation. One of the most powerful — and often overlooked — frameworks for doing this is Warm Demander pedagogy. Rooted in the balance of genuine care and relentlessly high expectations, this approach helps students build resilience and succeed through productive struggle. Despite its proven impact on engagement and achievement, Warm Demanders are frequently misunderstood. Here, we explore what it truly means to teach this way, why it works, and how educators are putting it into practice right now.