InspirED

  Warning: This episode contains discussion of mental illness, self-harm, and suicide, and may not be suitable for all audiences. Nothing contained in the podcast should be interpreted as medical or mental health treatment or advice. Please follow your medical provider's advice and direction. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1. Listener discretion is advised.    What is an ally?  You may relate the term to countries that have formed military relationships to fight together against their enemies. When one country in the alliance goes to war, the other countries take on that war as their own. While this is one definition, the term reaches beyond the military to a far more personal war – a war against hate, bigotry, and oppression.   A simple internet search will produce official historical references to the queer community in the U.S. as early as the Revolutionary War, but the term ally appears as recently as 1969 with the beginning of the LGBTQ+ civil rights movement. LGBTQ+ rights, acceptance, and support has come a long way in recent history but there’s still much work to be done.   Educators have a responsibility to support and guide their students. Statistics show that LGBTQ+ students who have a support system – at school and/or home – are more confident and successful in their educational journey. Anyone can be an ally if they’re willing to listen and learn. But where do you start?  The second and final part of a two-part special edition of inspirED podcast focuses on how being an ally supports the mental health and well-being of LGBTQ+ youth as part of our Education Equity series.  In this episode, our panel of education and mental health professionals, and LGBTQ+ allies will discuss what it means to be an ally, the importance and impact an ally can have on the development of LGBTQ+ youth, and ways you can work to becoming an ally for your students.   Subscribe to inspirED on your favorite podcast app so you never miss an episode. Check out our website at www.pltw.org/podcast for the latest episodes and catch-up on previous episodes.        PLTW Links: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn    Subscribe Links: iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, pltw.org/podcast    Feedback or suggestions: Email us at podcast@pltw.org.   

Warning: This episode contains discussion of mental illness, self-harm, and suicide, and may not be suitable for all audiences. Nothing contained in the podcast should be interpreted as medical or mental health treatment or advice. Please follow your medical provider's advice and direction. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1. Listener discretion is advised.   “A safe and welcoming school environment is essential for student success. Educators are a critical component in creating an environment that enables all students to thrive!” – Lily Eskelsen Garcia, President of the National Education Association You’ve probably heard a phrase like, “that’s so gay” at one point or another. It might be a second grader who heard the phrase on TV, a seventh grader trying to fit in with peers, or a high school junior “teasing” a friend. Regardless of where it comes from, phrases like this can make students feel unsafe, unwelcome, and uncomfortable. Students spend more waking hours attending school – either in-person or virtually – than anywhere else, and they should expect the classroom to be a safe and nurturing environment. A study from GLSEN reported 86 percent of LGBTQ+ students were harassed or assaulted at school in 2019, and overwhelmingly felt safer and more supported with anti-bullying and anti-discrimination policies, gender and sexuality alliances, supportive teachers and staff, and LGBTQ+-inclusive curriculum. You might be thinking, "It’s not my responsibility to change culture" or "I can’t make change so there’s no point in trying." It is, you can, and you should! National Coming Out Day was Oct. 11, and we’re celebrating by releasing the first part of a two-part special edition of inspirED podcast as part of our Education Equity series. This episode is all about inclusivity as it relates to mental health and wellbeing with LGBTQ+ youth. In this episode, our panel of education and mental health professionals, and LGBTQ+ allies will discuss what it means to be part of the LGBTQ+ community, how words and phrases can have a negative impact on students’ mental health and well-being, and how you can work towards becoming an ally to support your LGBTQ+ students regardless of where learning takes place. Subscribe to inspirED on your favorite podcast app so you never miss an episode. Check out our website at www.pltw.org/podcast for the latest episodes and catch-up on previous episodes.     PLTW Links: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn    Subscribe Links: iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, pltw.org/podcast    Feedback or suggestions: Email us at podcast@pltw.org.

In 1930, one phrase – “I think I can.” – uttered by a train taught millions of people about courage, perseverance, positive thinking, and self-determination.   Unlike that little train, every day educators see students quit something before they even start because they fear failure. It’s easy to assume this is a self-confidence issue but it’s more than that – this is a self-efficacy issue. Self-efficacy is the overall belief in our ability to succeed in a specific situation.   An important part of developing inclusive learning environments is encouraging students to develop a strong sense of self-efficacy so they know that with the right mindset, you can succeed regardless of who you are, where you come from, or where you’re going.   In this episode of our special series of inspriED dedicated to education equity, a group of education professionals discuss self-efficacy and the role it plays in classrooms, share challenges they’ve experienced, and offer actionable ideas and strategies they use to promote self-efficacy with their students.   Subscribe to inspirED on your favorite podcast app so you never miss an episode. Check out our website at www.pltw.org/podcast for the latest episodes and catch-up on previous episodes.      PLTW Links: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn   Subscribe Links: iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, pltw.org/podcast   Feedback or suggestions: Email us at podcast@pltw.org.  

“It is not beyond our power to create a world in which all children have access to a good education.” – Nelson Mandela  What is education equity? Merriam-Webster defines equity as “justice according to natural law or right; freedom from bias or favoritism.” Recent events have brought out many different perspectives on equity in education and raises the question, what can we do to ensure every student receives a quality education that prepares them for the future.   In this first episode of our special series of inspirED dedicated to education equity, a group of education professionals explore how education equity manifests in classrooms across the U.S. and how those experiences impact students inside and outside the classroom. Our guests share their personal experiences with education equity and discuss ways you can actively work towards creating equity every day in every part of your classrooms, schools, homes, and communities.   Subscribe to inspirED on your favorite podcast app so you never miss an episode. Check out our website at www.pltw.org/podcast for the latest episodes and catch-up on previous episodes.   PLTW Links: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn  Subscribe Links: iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, pltw.org/podcast  Feedback or suggestions: Email us at podcast@pltw.org.

Eunice Health is one of our country’s top STEM professionals, working for one of the world’s largest STEM companies, and she sees firsthand just how important it is for all of today’s students to be developing STEM knowledge and skills to help meet the challenges our growing world population. From increasing diversity to teaching ethics, our classrooms today are truly the front lines for solving the world’s future challenges. For more InspirED, be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!   Follow links: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube Subscribe links: iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher, email newsletter Feedback or suggestions: Email us at podcast@pltw.org.   GUEST: Eunice Heath - LinkedIn HOSTED BY: Jennifer Erbacher - LinkedIn, Twitter

When he looked around his classroom and saw unused manufacturing equipment, PLTW instructor Chris Townsend had an idea. Why not put it to use year-round through a student-run manufacturing business? Two years later, Eagle Manufacturing is helping high school students develop real-world skills and cut their teeth in real-world jobs, right in their high school. Instructor Chris Townsend and student manager Caleb Doss break talk about its beginnings, successes, and challenges. For more InspirED, be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode! Subscribe links: iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher, email newsletter Follow links: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube Feedback or suggestions: Email us at podcast@pltw.org.   GUEST: Chris Townsend and Caleb Doss – Website, Twitter HOSTED BY: Jennifer Erbacher - LinkedIn, Twitter

Nick Ragone: An Employer’s Perspective on Preparing for High-Demand Careers Healthcare is the fastest-growing industry in the United States, with more than 2.4 million new professionals needed by 2026. Nick Ragone from Ascension, the nation’s largest nonprofit health system, talks about the need they’re facing and what students and teachers can do today to prepare for those careers. For more InspirED, be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode! Follow links: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube Subscribe links: iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher, email newsletter Feedback or suggestions: Email us at podcast@pltw.org.   GUEST: Nick Ragone – Twitter, LinkedIn HOSTED BY: Jennifer Erbacher - LinkedIn, Twitter

Rural school districts often have their own set of unique challenges that can make starting or sustaining a STEM program difficult. But in Lapeer, Michigan, the district has found success with a formula of engagement, funding, and yes, duct tape. Listen as District STEM Coordinator Jaime Ratliff shares their keys to success. For more InspirED, be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode! Follow links: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube Subscribe links: iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher, email newsletter Feedback or suggestions: Email us at podcast@pltw.org.   GUEST: Jaime Ratliff – Twitter, LinkedIn, Email HOSTED BY: Jennifer Erbacher - LinkedIn, Twitter

Kate Kreamer: Building High-Quality CTE Programs Career and Technical Education programs today are not the programs of the 1980s and 90s. Hear from Advance CTE as deputy executive director Kate Kreamer shares the benefits for all students and how your district can raise the bar on programs that prepare students for career success. For more InspirED, be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode! PLTW Perkins Funding paper: [insert link] Follow links: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube Subscribe links: iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher, email newsletter Feedback or suggestions: Email us at podcast@pltw.org.   GUEST: Kate Kreamer – LinkedIN HOSTED BY: Jennifer Erbacher - LinkedIn, Twitter

Students often do as they're told or follow the “normal” path throughout PreK-12 education, missing vital opportunities to develop skills and have experiences that would further their career goals. Not Letizia Moro. She’s a high school senior in Boise, Idaho, who has never followed a straight line when it comes to her PreK-12 education. Listen as she shares how her unique experiences have led to innovation and entrepreneurship, and her advice to other students who have big ideas they want to pursue. For more InspirED, be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!   Follow links: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube Subscribe links: iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher, email newsletter Feedback or suggestions: Email us at podcast@pltw.org.   GUEST: Letizia Moro - Email, LinkedIn HOSTED BY: Jennifer Erbacher - LinkedIn, Twitter

Talent skilled in app development, cloud computing, and data has never been in higher demand, yet companies are struggling to quickly fill their open jobs. Ken Eisner from AWS Educate shares what teachers and students need to do today in order for students to have the skills to take advantage of these booming careers tomorrow. For more InspirED, be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode! AWS Educate Resources – www.awseducate.com or in myPLTW   Follow links: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube Subscribe links: iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher, email newsletter Feedback or suggestions: Email us at podcast@pltw.org.   GUEST: Ken Eisner – Twitter HOSTED BY: Jennifer Erbacher - LinkedIn, Twitter

Is your district struggling with student performance and engagement? Independence School District in Missouri was once in that position and turned itself into a national model for student success. District CTE Director Aaron Smith tells the district’s turnaround story of community support and a career academies model that upped the ante on student value, and in the process grew their graduation and student achievement rate by one of the largest margins in state history. But it wasn’t always a smooth ride. Hear the struggles, the successes, and how you can create similar changes in your district. Also read the white paper at http://bit.ly/2AVhE0x For more inspirED, be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode, and check out our website, www.pltw.org/podcast. Follow links: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube Subscribe links: iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Soundcloud, email newsletter Feedback or suggestions: Email us at podcast@pltw.org.  GUEST: Aaron Smith - Twitter, Email HOSTED BY: Jennifer Erbacher - LinkedIn, Twitter

When we talk about leveling the playing field, we often think about making sure no one gets an unfair advantage. But in Tulsa, Oklahoma, PLTW Launch Master Teacher Suzanne Martin is leveling the playing field by “leveling up”, raising students up to new heights through relevant, hands-on learning. In her story filled with success, failure, and authenticity, she’s found the program does the same for educators too. For more InspirED, be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode, and check out our website, www.pltw.org/podcast. Follow links: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube Subscribe links: iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher, email newsletter Feedback or suggestions: Email us at podcast@pltw.org. GUEST: Suzanne Martin - Twitter, Email HOSTED BY: Jennifer Erbacher - LinkedIn, Twitter

How do we open doors for more girls to pursue careers in computer science? Learn from college sophomore Ruby Rios, who wasn’t always the confident, passionate computer science undergrad she is today. She was once an 11-year-old who helped create an app for patients with disabilities to better communicate with their doctors and then almost dropped out of computer science altogether. And now she’s trying to pave a smoother way for the girls who follow in her footsteps. For more inspirED, be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode, and check out our website, www.pltw.org/podcast. Follow links: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube Subscribe links: iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Soundcloud, email newsletter Feedback or suggestions: Email us at podcast@pltw.org. GUEST: Ruby Rios - Twitter HOSTED BY: Jennifer Erbacher - LinkedIn, Twitter

  What would happen if businesses and companies treated recruiting and hiring talent the way colleges and universities recruit athletes? Steve Stokey had that very idea 10 years ago sitting at his desk at Allied Machine & Engineering in Dover, Ohio. As the company’s executive vice president, he saw far too much talent leaving the community, and he knew it wasn’t good for his company or others in the county. So he did something about it, reaching out to the local school districts and other companies in the county to create, what is today, a replicable, thriving education to career pipeline that helps students develop the knowledge and skills to thrive in education and their careers…and fulfills the talent needs of the local workforce. For more inspirED, be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode, and check out our website, www.pltw.org/podcast. Follow links: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube Subscribe links: iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Soundcloud, email newsletter Feedback or suggestions: Email us at podcast@pltw.org. GUEST: Steve Stokey – LinkedIn, Twitter, Blog Post HOSTED BY: Jennifer Erbacher - LinkedIn, Twitter

There’s nothing more powerful for students than seeing how they can apply what they’re learning in the classroom to solve a real-world problem, and if you can gamify that real-world application, even better. That’s what happens in PLTW’s powerful partnership with VEX Robotics, where students are learning skills they’ll use for the rest of their lives, on any career path they take. Get the inside scoop and hear practical and inspiring tips for bringing your student’s learning to life through robotics.   For more InspirED, be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode, and check out our website, www.pltw.org/podcast.   Follow links: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube Subscribe links: iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher, email newsletter Feedback or suggestions: Email us at podcast@pltw.org.   GUEST: Grant Cox of VEX Robotics – www.vexrobotics.com; Twitter; Find a competition HOSTED BY: Jennifer Erbacher - LinkedIn, Twitter  

In the war for top talent, Lockheed Martin isn’t taking the defensive. Together with local high schools, the global aerospace and defense company is recruiting students straight out of their senior year of high school to utilize their STEM skills and shape their future career paths. In this episode, hear from intern program coordinator Emily Hendrickson and intern Trinity Stallins on how the program is shaping future engineers and giving Lockheed Martin access to the top engineering talent. For more InspirED, be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode, and check out our website, www.pltw.org/podcast. Follow links: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube Subscribe links: iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher, email newsletter Feedback or suggestions: Email us at podcast@pltw.org. GUEST: Emily Hendrickson - LinkedInTrinity Stallins - Twitter, LinkedIn HOSTED BY: Jennifer Erbacher - LinkedIn, Twitter

When we talk about leveling the playing field, we often think about making sure no one gets an unfair advantage. But in Tulsa, Oklahoma, PLTW Launch Master Teacher Suzanne Martin is leveling the playing field by “leveling up”, raising students up to new heights through relevant, hands-on learning. In her story filled with success, failure, and authenticity, she’s found the program does the same for educators too. For more InspirED, be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode, and check out our website, www.pltw.org/podcast. Follow links: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube Subscribe links: iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher, email newsletter Feedback or suggestions: Email us at podcast@pltw.org. GUEST: Suzanne Martin - Twitter, Email HOSTED BY: Jennifer Erbacher - LinkedIn, Twitter

Bill Van Loo models what it means to be a teacher, not just in his classroom, but in every aspect of his life. He wholeheartedly believes in the concept of being a lifelong learner as he teaches his students, fellow teachers, and himself. In this episode, he unlocks the keys to modeling this in your classroom, and shares how he believes teachers can inspire their students to be lifelong learners too. For more InspirED, be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode, and check out our website, www.pltw.org/podcast. Follow links: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube Subscribe links: iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher, email newsletter Feedback or suggestions: Email us at podcast@pltw.org. GUEST: Bill Van Loo - LinkedIn, Classroom LinkedIn Account, YouTube HOSTED BY: Jennifer Erbacher - LinkedIn, Twitter

He’s the former Baltimore Ravens offensive lineman who made headlines when he chose to leave the NFL to pursue his PhD in applied mathematics. But he didn’t always love math. In fact, he was often a disengaged student. Listen as John Urschel provides insight on how to inspire and engage students of all levels and help them see how math matters. For more InspirED, be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode, and check out our website, www.pltw.org/podcast. Follow links: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube Subscribe links: iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher, email newsletter Feedback or suggestions: Email us at podcast@pltw.org.   GUEST: John Urschel – Twitter, Website HOSTED BY: Jennifer Erbacher - LinkedIn, Twitter

Paula Rodriguez Duran was 17 when her family fled Venezuela under political asylum and settled in the United States. In a new country and new high school, Paula discovered a passion for art and technology she’d not been privileged to in her home country. Hear how her experiences in these new high school programs led to a coveted spot in a professional program with Toyota that has helped her discover her career passion and created a life she only dreamed of before coming to the United States. For more InspirED, be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode, and check out our website, www.pltw.org/podcast. Follow links: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube Subscribe links: iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher, email newsletter Feedback or suggestions: Email us at podcast@pltw.org.   GUEST: Paula Rodriguez Duran - LinkedIn HOSTED BY: Jennifer Erbacher - LinkedIn, Twitter

From a district with a struggling identity to now a national model for student success. District CTE Director Aaron Smith tells the turnaround story of Independence School District near Kansas City, Missouri. With community support and a career academies model, the district upped the ante on student value, and in the process grew their graduation and student achievement rate by one of the largest margins in state history. But it wasn’t always a smooth ride. Hear the struggles, the successes, and how you can create similar changes in your district. Also read the white paper at http://bit.ly/2AVhE0x.  

Named one of Kansas City’s 30 under 30 by Inc. Magazine, Ruby Rios wasn’t always the confident, passionate computer science undergrad she is today. Learn how she went from an 11-year-old girl who helped create an app for patients with disabilities to better communicate with their doctors, to almost dropping out of computer science altogether. And how she’s trying to fix the problem for the girls who follow in her footsteps.

How do you get the entire community involved in supporting your district’s STEM programs and promote your kindergartens to district spokespeople? Ask Eryca Card, a 6th grade science teacher and Project Lead The Way PreK-8 coordinator for the rural Elkhorn Area School District in Wisconsin. In less than five years, she’s helped grow a district-wide STEM program that includes everyone from the community’s homeschool students to the local CEO and the state’s governor. At the center of it all is a desire to empower students to start leading the way and creating their legacy before they leave elementary school.    

Abby Harrison, also known as Astronaut Abby by her million+ social media followers, is an aspiring astronaut who has a big goal: to be the first astronaut to walk on Mars. Her passion started early. Encouraged by her mother, early STEM education experiences including Project Lead The Way, and a professional astronaut mentor, Abby tells a story of how perseverance, failure, and focus have put her on the path to her dream. For fellow aspiring astronauts, Abby acts as a mentor and role model. She is the founder of The Mars Generation, a nonprofit that provides resources and mentorship for students who share a love of STEM and space. She has helped provide full scholarships for 36 students to attend Space Camp and continues inspiring students through her journey.  

What would happen if businesses and companies treated recruiting and hiring talent the way colleges and universities recruit athletes? Steve Stokey had that very idea 10 years ago sitting at his desk at Allied Machine & Engineering in Dover, Ohio. As the company’s executive vice president, he saw far too much talent leaving the community, and he knew it wasn’t good for his company or others in the county. So he did something about it, reaching out to the local school districts and other companies in the county to create, what is today, a replicable, thriving education to career pipeline that helps students develop the knowledge and skills to thrive in education and their careers…and fulfills the talent needs of the local workforce.

Students can’t be what they can’t see – they need experiences and mentors to open their eyes to the world of opportunities before them. Meet Markie Wagner, a self-described self-taught computer science lover who by the age of 9 was creating websites and apps that got over 25,000 downloads from around the globe. Despite all this, she never thought a career in computer science or engineering was a possibility. Learn how a high school summer camp transformed her career path and created a deep desire to create opportunities for other students. Wagner started by brining computer science and engineering classes to her high school and then her district, and as a college student, she continues to fight gender inequality and work to inspire other students.

You think differently when it comes to teaching. You understand that the power of education is a pathway to a certain quality of life. You understand the impact a STEM education can have on a student. And you don’t take that responsibility for granted. You -- the school administrator, emerging leader, educational influencer, the parent -- want to inspire the next generation of innovators through the power of education. This show focuses on empowering our network and beyond with practical insights, inspirational messages, and an inside look into how to create transformative learning experiences for PreK-12 across the U.S.