Education Mindset

In January, North Dakota United released daunting results of a survey on educator retention.74% of those surveyed believe teacher retention is a major issue for the coming school year and only four out of ten see themselves retiring as teachers.How did we get to this point? And what can be done about it?Each Tuesday in March, in partnership with North Dakota United, we'll hear from teachers who have left the profession, those who remain in the classroom, and from those who shape public policy affecting what happens in schools across North Dakota.We start with former Bismarck teacher Kari Nehls (Nells) who spent fifteen years in education.Nehls says she was born to be a teacher. However, as she tells North Dakota United's Tom Gerhardt last summer she made the emotional decision to leave the profession she loves.OUTRO: Next week, we'll hear from a former Fargo teacher on why he chose to leave the classroom. And we'll also hear from the 2021 North Dakota Teacher of the Year on the challenges educators face and what she thinks could be done to help support teachers moving forward.

Central Campus is busy--with 1000 students and 150 staff members. You can see how it would be possible to get lost in the shuffle. A program called Sources of Strength is helping to make sure no one falls through the cracks. Started a couple of years ago, the program is helping forge positive connections, build relationships, and ultimately impact the overall wellbeing of students.

High school counselor Chelsie Smith guides a purposeful group of students here at New Town High School.They’re part of a group called SOAR--Stand Up and Represent. The idea behind the group is to create a peer to peer mentorship program--working to normalize difficult but real conversations on topics like suicide, loneliness and drugs and alcohol.

Valley City is home to 1100 public school students in grades k-12. Like schools across the state, Valley City is facing a behavioral health crisis. The school district, with help from the community, is working to provide students help. North Dakota United visited three schools in early 2020 (before the pandemic) to see how educators are fighting for and finding solutions for students. Here’s more on a program called “Access for All” that’s making a difference in students’ lives.

Welcome to Education Mindset-- A podcast brought to you by North Dakota United. I’m your host--Tom Gerhardt. In this episode—a visit with 2021 North Dakota Teacher of the Year finalist and North Dakota United member Dana Kasowski of Wapheton. Dana has dedicated 16 years to teaching special education in middle and elementary schoold in Wahpeton. She tells us what drew her to working with students facing challenges with behaviors, academics, and social and emotional skills. Dana also talks about mentoring first year special education teachers. And she’ll tell us about the Nurtured Heart Approach and how it’s making a significant difference in the lives of students.

As a first-year high school band director in Watford City, Matthew Page faces unique challenges trying to educate his students from a distance. How do you teach the tuba and trumpet using the internet? Welcome to Education Mindset—a podcast brought to you by North Dakota United. I’m your host, Tom Gerhardt. Matthew Page and his band at Watford City were just three days away from their regional competition when the coronavirus shut down schools across the state. Page says the spring concert was on the horizon and suddenly kids were stuck at home with their instruments at school. The big question he faced—how to keep his students practicing once he figured out how to get the instruments back in their hands. You’ve been listening to Education Mindset, a podcast brought to you by North Dakota United. For more stories and information—visit ndunited.org.

The words kindergarten and distance learning don’t exactly go together, but teachers across the state are finding ways to connect with students and their parents. Welcome to Education Mindset—a podcast brought to you by North Dakota United. I’m your host, Tom Gerhardt. When schools closed indefinitely this spring it left teachers, parents and students with dozens of questions and no immediate answers. Imagine working at the kindergarten level, where some students aren’t able to read directions much less log onto a Zoom meeting. Watford City teacher Delanie Hill says she’s had to teach the parents—and many are surprised to learn there’s a lot more to kindergarten than meets the eye. Next episode, we check in with Library Media Specialist Olivia Dwyer. She went from working face to with over 500 K-3 students in her elementary school—to trying to do the same work through technology. Like everyone else in education, she’s doing everything she can to do what’s best for her kids.

How do school counselors work with students during distance learning—and be effective? Welcome to Education Mindset—a podcast brought to you by North Dakota United. I’m your host, Tom Gerhardt. In this episode, high school counselor Rachael Meuchel with the McKenzie County Public School District in Watford City joins me to share her experience. She talks about maintaining connections with students through virtual means—and how she’s encouraging students to be more independent. In the next six episodes, we’ll take a look at how the McKenzie County Public School District continues to adjust and adapt to distance learning from multiple perspectives including a music teacher, EL teachers, a kindergarten teacher, a counselor and library media specialist. It’s a snapshot of education during this unprecedented time.

How English Learner instructors are getting through to their students despite language and cultural barriers during distance learning. Welcome to Education Mindset—a podcast brought to you by North Dakota United. I’m your host, Tom Gerhardt. The coronavirus forced an immediate transformation of our education system this spring. For the English Learner department in Watford City—and elsewhere—that meant immediate change. In this episode, EL Coordinator Mari Rasmussen and EL instructor Pamela Albright explain how they’re passionately stayed connected despite the challenges thrown their way.

High school science teacher Amy Polivka talks about the double whammy in Watford City—the jolt of the coronavirus and the crash of oil prices—and how they’ve both affected students, families and educators forced into distance learning in a matter of days. Welcome to Education Mindset—a podcast brought to you by North Dakota United. I’m your host, Tom Gerhardt. In the next six episodes, we’ll take a look at how the McKenzie County Public School District continues to adjust and adapt to distance learning from multiple perspectives including a music teacher, EL teachers, a kindergarten teacher, a counselor and library media specialist. It’s a snapshot of education during this unprecedented time. We begin with Amy Polivka, president of the Watford City Education Association and high school science teacher. She takes us back to the weekend everything changed.