Let's Talk After School

Julia James joins us to talk about the great work she is doing with Thrive & Groe Academy. They offer a number of services including training, child care, public speaking, and much more.

Meredith Scott Lynn joins us to talk about her program, Write Brain Books. Write Brain is a great program that allows students to use their creativity to create the story their own personal book. For more information you can check out there website: https://writebrainbooks.com/

This episode I talk to Kim and Dawn from Math-A-Matics as we discuss their business of providing math tutoring at school and at the home. For more information check out their website: https://mathamaticstutoring.com/

In this episode Willa Rosen talks to us about her Osti-Con workshop, Solving Site Coordinator Stresses. Willa goes over techniques coordinators can use to help them get through the stressful times of running an after school program.

Mary Curry joins us to discuss her program, Mango Math which offers quick, informative, and fun lessons for students in grades K-5. This program is very easy to implement and comes with the lesson plan and materials all in a individually sealed bag. For more information check out their website: https://mangomath.com/products/

Bill Albert joins us to talk about STEMfinity, a one stop shop for all of your programs STEM needs. STEMfinity specializes in robots, drones, curriculum, and more that will help students learn engineering, coding, problem-solving. For more information check out their website: https://www.stemfinity.com

Lenly Stephen joins us to talk about Mindworks, a company that specializes in creating innovative activities for students. Mindworks includes everything educators need to conduct valuable and informative lessons. For more information check out their website: http://www.mindworksresources.com/

Jennifer Wirt from Coleman ISD joins us to talk about how she used graphic novels to help her students break through reading barriers. We discuss the importance of allowing students to read things that they are interested in and how that can get fantastic results.

At Osti-Con we ran into Angel Toscano, the Family Engagement Specialist from Austin ISD, and talked with him about his workshop: How to Engage Families in One Minute. He gives tips on how to form relationships with parents that are fast and effective. If you have any questions you can email him at angel.toscano@austinisd.org

Ted Burden joins the show to talk about Play for Life. Play for Life is a multifaceted, multi-generational physical activity concept that brings fun and exciting sport participation into one's life for maintaining better health and social engagement throughout the life span. For more information go to their website: www.playforlife.co

In this episode Kathleen Bethke from Y4Y (You for Youth) joins us to discuss all of the services they provide for after school programs. These include courses, webinars, training and many other resources that are all free. For more information you can check them out here: https://y4y.ed.gov/

Christine McCormick from TEA joins us to talk about the Project Director's meeting. We also discuss how to get over the hurdles you may encounter as a Site Coordinator or Aide.

Join us as we talk to Johanna Friedel, Project Director from Greenville ISD, about how small programs can still get noticed and get funding for their programs. She talks in depth about partnerships, collaborations, and other tips for getting your program noticed.

Chelsea Heffernan joins the show to talk about her work with the Dept. of Education's Y4Y Team and all of the initiatives they are involved with. This includes a close partnership with NASA. She also gives us tips on how to find information for after school programs through the y4y.ed.gov website.

Chris Neitzey joins us as we talk about all of the ways to incorporate STEM into your program. He also lends his expertise in how to help secure funding for your program through his years of work in the field.

This episode is the first in our Osti-Con series where we focus on the upcoming conference. Join us as we talk to Margaret Cain and discuss what she looks for when visiting after school programs. We also discuss how things aren't going to always go according to plan no matter how much you are prepared, so always be ready to adapt.

In this episode we talk with Jodi Grant the Executive Director of the Afterschool Alliance. We discuss the challenges that face after school programming and how to better promote your program to make sure you get noticed. Join us as we go over this as well as why after school programs are vital for the success of our youth. Check out their website for more helpful information: http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/