Opportunity Thrives

In this episode of Opportunity Thrives, Jason Mitchell sits down with Dr. Quintin Shepherd, a true visionary for the future of education, and the Superintendent at Victoria Independent School District in Victoria, Texas. Throughout this fascinating conversation, Dr. Shepherd shares his views on education and the new approach that he's bringing to his district, including what he calls radical transparency and putting the public back in public education. He describes radical transparency as the direct connection between the communities we serve and providing unprecedented levels of accessibility to information and people - being transparent with absolutely everything. But Dr. Shepherd's primary focus stems from his practice of compassionate leadership and expressing vulnerability, and he believes that's why radical transparency works. It's built on the foundation of compassion. He also shares his perspective of the terms complicated vs. complex and how his district is using crowdsourcing to foster open communication and identifying whether a challenge is complicated or complex. He has also shares how he believes it's important to create a culture of innovation. One of the first steps he took to achieve this is by reducing the cost of failure to increase value. He believes that in too many education systems, failure is equated with blame. Innovation cannot or will not happen within in a culture of blame. He believes in embracing failure to foster a culture of innovation. This is episode is filled with inspiration, hope and valuable insights about how we can transform the way we lead school districts by modifying our approach to some of the most basic leadership practices.

Jean Sharp had another opportunity to speak with John Watson, the founder of Evergreen Education Group and the Digital Learning Annual Conference in this episode. They discuss the role of the Digital Learning Collaborative had in contributing to the Biden/Harris leadership transition, the role schools play in supporting students - beyond just academics, and the silver linings the pandemic has created for new learning options. We discuss the Digital Learning Annual Conference: https://www.deelac.com/ Digital Learning Collaborative: https://www.digitallearningcollab.com/

In this episode, we reconnect with Debra Giacolone, the Director of Student Services for Sarasota County School District in Sarasota, Florida, and Dr. Crystal Ladwig the Director of Research and Development for Suite360, a social-emotional learning provider that partners with districts across the country. When Jean Sharp, Chief Academic Officer at Apex Learning, last spoke with Debra and Crystal in an Opportunity Thrives episode last fall, they raised concerns about the health and well-being of our students, particularly in these times of lockdowns and school closure. We revisit this conversation and they share the unfortunate reality that there has been a significant rise in mental health concerns as students grapple with isolation, anxiety, depression, and trauma. We discuss opportunities to support students despite these challenges, how Sarasota County is addressing student and educator wellbeing, and what Crystal is seeing with other districts across the country. Regardless of the challenges, they share a message of hope for the future and practical guidance other district leaders should consider as they navigate how to best support the social and emotional needs of our students and educators.

On the show today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Stepan Mekhitarian, the Interim Director for Innovation, Instruction, Assessment & Accountability at Glendale Unified School District in Glendale, California. Stepan is passionate about supporting teachers in the blended and virtual learning environments. In fact, he's so passionate about this topic, that he wrote a book about it: The Essential Blended Learning PD Planner: Where Classroom Practice Meets Distance Learning. In this episode, he shares how his district is guiding teachers and leaders on how to effectively use instructional technology to benefit students and educators. Stepan shares more about how his district is applying these practices to support teaching and learning within his district and how they have been able to navigate the transition to virtual learning.

When the COVID-19 pandemic thrust students and teachers into virtual learning (literally overnight), existing digital inequities were quickly exposed. Matthew Hiefield, a teacher for Beaverton School District, and a member of their Digital Equity and Inclusion Team, shares how their district is addressing these challenges while also seeking out new opportunities to improve learning during the pandemic. Matthew Hiefield has 25 years of experience teaching high school Social Studies and is currently a Future Ready TOSA focuses on digital divide issues and how they affect teaching and learning. In this episode, Matthew shares the district's priorities in addressing connectivity issues, intentional outreach, how they are identifying opportunity gaps, and establishing consistency while still getting creative to ensure students continue to learn.

If 2020 taught us anything, it’s that change is inevitable in every aspect of our lives. This couldn’t be more apparent than what we experienced in education and the evolution and mainstreaming of virtual learning this year. We put together a culmination of some of the most powerful conversations, insightful projections for the future, and what educators believe will stick moving forward now and well after the pandemic wanes. What opportunities are you discovering as a result of this unique time in life and in education? In this episode, we take a look back at all of the many leaders, students and educators who shared their insights, nuggets of wisdom and projections for the future of learning with us throughout the past year. We want to go back and consider what these leaders anticipate will stick with us long after the pandemic is over. Lisa Rowbotham, the Secondary ELA Supervisor for Passaic Public Schools in New Jersey, Carl Hooker, Thomas Vacanti, the Online Learning Coordinator for the City School District of Albany, Kerrie Torres, Assistant Superintendent from Brea Olinda Unified School District, Kimberly Smith, the new executive director of the new Center for Inclusive Innovation from Digital Promise, Sean Slade, the Senior Director of Global Outreach at the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), James Butler from Tucson Unified School District, and Nicola Peck an Apex Learning student, all share their insights and perspectives with us in this episode.

On today’s episode, we have the opportunity to speak with district leaders from Tucson Unified School District who are navigating the challenges and opportunities that a district-wide shift to online learning can bring. James Butler, the senior director of instructional technology and online education, and Omar Sotelo, the program manager for academic standards in the Office of Curriculum and Professional Development join Jean Sharp for this conversation. They share their experiences and insights implementing a district wide virtual learning program across their district, including best practices they've adopted and their keys to success. Tucson Unified School District, in Tucson, Arizona, serves approximately 42,000 students and has 86 campuses across 200 square miles. As a district, their focus has been on serving the diverse needs of their students throughout the community and continuing to provide a very rigorous, relevant, and engaging environment that encourages teaching and learning and drives student achievement - no matter how students are learning.

At the new Center for Inclusive Innovation, educators like Kimberly Smith are gathering creative ingenuity from communities across the country so it can more easily be shared among school leaders. They’re motivated by a radical commitment to equity in education for Black, Brown, and Indigenous students. Kimberly is the executive director of the League of Innovative Schools at Digital Promise, which founded the Center for Inclusive Innovation. She has decades of experience creating digital curriculum, supporting educators, and developing learning tools for PreK-12 schools. In this episode of Opportunity Thrives, Jean Sharp spoke with Kimberly about what educational leaders are focused on right now as they work to better support their students, parents, and staff. In addition to all things related to the pandemic, she’s hearing about the importance of sharing best practices, providing dependable technology, and acting on school leaders’ strong desire to deliver equity to all.

In this episode, we talk with Ariana Flewelling, an Education Strategist who provides collaboration and consulting on the use of Educational Technology and Transforming Education. She specializes in pedagogy-first technology integration to enhance practice and student achievement. Her passion is inspiring others to share their stories and skills through technology. Throughout her work, Ariana works to ensure technology is implemented equitably to provide all students access and opportunity. Throughout this conversation, Ariana shares her perspective on culturally responsive teaching and universal design for learning to benefit all students. We discuss integrating the way districts, schools, teacher work together and providing ongoing reinforcement and support structures in place to set students, teachers and district leadership on the path for success in 2021.

In this episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Sean Slade, a global education leader, speaker, author, and policymaker with over 25 years of experience spanning five countries and four continents. He currently serves as the Senior Director of Global Outreach at the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), focusing on promoting and expanding the Whole Child approach across the United States and globally. This transformational initiative is a move from a focus of academic achievement to one that promotes the long-term development and success of all children is one that Sean speaks passionately about in this episode. ASCD is a membership-based non-profit organization founded in 1943. It has more than 125,000 members from more than 128 countries, including superintendents, principals, teachers, professors of education, and other educators. Learn more about ASCD: http://www.ascd.org/Default.aspx ASCD Whole Child Approach: http://www.ascd.org/whole-child.aspx

In this episode, we focus on education innovation in New Jersey, and we have the pleasure of chatting with Lisa Rowbotham, the Secondary ELA Supervisor for Passaic Public Schools who also runs the AVID program for the district. Throughout the episode Lisa shares their district's strategies for implementing successful remote learning opportunities for their students. She shares how they have been able to support the unique learning needs of each student, provide expansive professional development and support for teachers, engage students who are learning from a distance, and enlist parents as partners in the learning process. Whether you are a remote learning pro, or you are still trying to work out many of the kinks, you will most definitely gain a few insights in this episode. Lisa shares helpful strategies that other education leaders and teachers can implement within their district right away.

In our latest podcast episode, we talk with Carl Hooker about his desire to see K-12 education become more like the 1989 movie Dead Poet’s Society. He believes we have the potential engage students to learn in unorthodox ways and to inspire them to pursue their dreams – right now more than ever during this unusual time in education. As the former Director of Innovation & Digital Learning for the Eanes Independent School District, Carl shares a mix of practical tools and ideas that educators can immediately implement. From his start as a teacher, to his current district technology leadership, he’s always had one common belief: students should drive their own learning. Through a unique blend of technical expertise, educational experience, and flexibility, he believes districts have the potential to not only support students where they are, but to broaden their horizons and change their lives. Carl helped spearhead the Learning and Engaging through Access and Personalization (LEAP), and he has been a part of a strong educational shift with technology integration since becoming an educator. In this episode, Carl shares his perspective on how the pandemic has shifted the need to support students, parents, and families in a different way, including the three keys to districts who are succeeding with digital learning right now.

In our latest podcast episode of Opportunity Thrives, we had a chance to chat with Leslie Lenhart, the Communications Director for Tucson Unified School District in Tucson, Arizona. Leslie shares the district’s strategies to be very intentional and responsive during the pandemic, including many practical tips that others can implement within their own districts. Tucson Unified School District is the third largest school district in Arizona, serving more than 47,000 students in 89 schools and programs throughout Tucson, Arizona. The diverse district is home to students from 76 countries and 94 languages, and more than 60 percent of the students are Hispanic or Latino. Because the district serves so many diverse languages and cultures, Leslie shared the importance of sharing effective communication to meet the needs of their dynamic community. Here's the Welcome video we mentioned in the episode: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2786583634902775.

On today's episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Shaunna Finley, an education expert, strategic partner and a curriculum developer and facilitator for Communities in Schools. Working directly in 2,500 schools in 25 states and the District of Columbia, Communities In Schools builds relationships that empower students to stay in school and succeed in life. Their school-based staff partner with teachers to identify challenges students face in class or at home and coordinate with community partners to bring outside resources inside schools. From immediate needs like food or clothing to more complex ones like counseling or emotional support, their organization does whatever it takes to help students succeed. Throughout this episode, we discuss how Communities in Schools is making a difference in the lives of students, particularly those who are struggling. And Dr. Finley shares the mission of Communities in Schools and how the organization connects students and families with support within their district. She shares lessons learned during the pandemic and how Communities in Schools is walking through this new journey with students, parents and the community when it comes to recovering, re-engaging and re-Imagining the future of education.

Dr. Adam Phyall, the Director of Technology and Media Services for Newton County School System in Newton, Georgia, joins us to share how his team is addressing this unusual time in education. He was recently recognized as one of the top 30 K-12 IT influencers worth a follow in 2020 according to EdTEch Magazine. Dr. Phyall shares what he believes is working well in education right now, and the positives he's seeing during this time. He also discusses the possibilities for reimagining learning---from asynchronous to synchronous learning. Every school system has its own problems and challenges, but he believes there are incredible possibilities for self-paced learning that he hopes will continue after things return to "normal." He also shares how in a regular year, both students and adults can have issues, but during a global pandemic those challenges can be exponential, which is why SEL should be an absolute priority. He reinforced the need to establish personal health checks. And he also shares how important it is for us to address inequities and ensure cultural diversity is represented throughout our schools and districts. In the show we mention Thought Exchange, a crowd sourcing platform for leaders: https://www.thoughtexchange.com/.

On today's episode, we chat with Dr. Monica Burns, a former New York City school district teacher, Apple Distinguished Educator, and the Founder of ClassTechTips.com. Monica was part of her school’s leadership team and was a vocal advocate for bringing one-to-one technology into her classroom. Monica has presented to teachers, administrators and tech-enthusiasts at numerous national and international conferences, including SXSWedu, ISTE, FETC and EduTECH, and she is a regular contributor to Edutopia. Monica visits schools across the country to work with PreK-20 teachers to make technology integration exciting and accessible. Throughout our conversation, Monica shares the challenges teachers are facing with many competing agendas when it comes to instruction – thinking about the needs of their students: equity of access, student engagement, learning gaps, student stress and trauma, not to mention the regular instruction. She shares what she believes teachers are prioritizing and if that will change over time. She also provides examples of what some districts have done to successfully navigate these challenges through the lens of the student, the teacher, and the parent. And Monica provides her perspective on what she believes will become part of our best practices for education---even when the pandemic is behind us.

On this episode, Jean Sharp has the pleasure of speaking with Kevin Hogan, the host of a new Marketscale podcast. On his new show, Remove Possibilities, Kevin dives into the technology that is revolutionizing the education industry with educators, startups, and thought leaders providing compelling insights into the future of education technology. Throughout this episode, Kevin shares his perspective on the future of education and what’s important for educational leaders to consider right now. He shares the common themes and strategies he has heard across the education spectrum and how education leaders are addressing these unparalleled challenges in education. Kevin likes to focus on the positive outcomes of this challenging time in life and some of the glass half full moments he's seeing arise during this time in edtech. He also shares how he believes the pandemic will change what school looks like...in the near term...and over the long term.

In our 19th episode of Opportunity Thrives, we explore the extraordinary pressure on education leaders to provide effective, informative, accurate and timely communication to students, staff, families and the larger school community right now. It has certainly never been easy to be an educator, but the pressure to not only educate our students, but to find the right balance of communication, is overwhelming to say the least. In this episode, we dig a little deeper into how this is working in practice. Districts across the country have developed and are implementing reopening plans—plans to safely welcome students and staff back to school this fall. Their work has been comprehensive, thorough, and unprecedented. These plans share several common themes— resetting expectations for the new school year; redefining the school day with consideration for flexible and adaptable learning models, parent choice, health and safety protocols; and restarting school with consideration and attention to detail regarding operational and logistical plans. We discuss how districts are reevaluating their approach to communication with families and their school communities, including what strategies have been effective, and what has been challenging as they provide district updates and communicate critical information to students and families. Tom Vacanti joins us for this discussion. Originally a high school science teacher, Tom has been the Online Learning Coordinator for the City School District of Albany, New York since 2011. In this role, he develops and implements web-based learning solutions for secondary level students with the goal of meeting the needs of diverse learning populations. He works together with students, parents, teachers, and administrators to identify deficits and develop short-term and long-term plans to meet student educational goals. And he has been very involved in the communication strategies with students, families, and district leadership. Kanoe Namahoe, the director of content for SmartBrief Education, also joined us for this episode. She covers the latest breaking news in education technology within the K-12 and higher ed sectors. As an editor, Kanoe has a broad perspective of what the trends are in K-12, including how districts are continuing to evolve their reopening plans and the communication strategies they are implementing to support those plans.

In our latest episode of Opportunity Thrives, we talk with two superintendents about how they are evaluating their partners and how their relationships with vendors has changed since the pandemic. This is a special joint episode where we partnered with Talk Supes, a podcast hosted by Doug Roberts, the CEO and founder of the Institute for Education Innovation. The pandemic has created one of the biggest disruptions in education that any of us have ever experienced. The demands with the shift to virtual learning, and strict new guidelines for health and safety, are certainly unparalleled and one of the most challenging environments our school systems have ever faced. More than ever, districts are leaning on technology partners and the private industry to support the dynamic and evolving needs required by the pandemic. In this new era of distance learning, we discuss what really matters and the responsibility of district solution partners and curriculum providers that are coming alongside districts to support student success. We dive into this topic with our guests, Dr. Andy Crozier, who is currently serving his 10th year as a public-school superintendent and his fifth year at Central Lee Community School District in Donnellson, Iowa; and Dr. Donald Shively of Paducah Public Schools in Paducah, Kentucky.

In our 17th episode of Opportunity Thrives, a podcast committed to better supporting the needs of today’s secondary students, we explore this very question. We know that education leaders are doing all they can to ensure the safety of students, teachers, and staff for this fall. For many districts, that has meant starting off the year with fully virtual learning programs. In fact, as of September 2, 73 percent of the 100 largest school districts, have opted for remote learning only as their back-to-school instructional model. That means more than eight million students in urban city centers are learning solely online this fall. We know this shift to fully virtual learning has brought with it many challenges for educators, students and their families. And as we all learned this past spring, building relationships with students is critical to the success of our virtual programs. Kerrie Torres, the Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services for the Brea Olinda School District in Orange County California, joined us for this episode to share how her district is providing opportunities for educators and students to connect in a meaningful way. With more than two decades of experience in education, Kerrie has successfully leveraged digital curriculum to keep students on track with intervention and remediation programs. Her experience lends itself well to supporting student success in what has become a vastly virtual world. Kerrie shares their district’s plans for the fall and how she believes there are still opportunities to connect with students in a unique way using digital curriculum. Even though the relationships with students looks different this year, staying flexibility and creating new learning options has been the key to their success.

Clearly district leaders are up against undeniable odds this school year as they navigate how to keep students safe, but still learning. This episode will be helpful for district leaders to gain first-hand perspective on what parents are thinking, how they are feeling about the recent challenges and how they would like to see districts support students this school year. Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with two parents who plan to share their experience with the evolving world of education today and how online learning has impacted their lives and the lives of their children. With the pandemic creating such uncertainty for students and families about how the school year will look, many are weighing their options about how to plan for what’s coming and evaluating the best decision for their student.

Understanding how to support the health and well-being of students through social-emotional learning (SEL) is more important than ever as we enter this unusual school year. We know this episode is going to be helpful to district leaders who are looking for research-backed practices and practical advice on how to kickstart an SEL program. Check out the full episode to take the first step in developing a new SEL initiative or to refine an existing program. There are nuggets of advice that will benefit nearly everyone – wherever you are in your SEL journey. In our 15th episode of Opportunity Thrives, we speak with two guests who share their insights on why an SEL program can be beneficial and how it can be implemented within your district. We dive deep into the details about how this can make a difference in the emotional well-being and academic success of your students. From research-backed evidence to practical experience, the episode shares advice and guidance for how to develop a program for the start of school year this fall. It’s not too late to get planning! Debra Giacolone, the Supervisor for Mental Behavioral Health Services for the Sarasota County School District in Sarasota, Florida, joined us for this episode to share her insights on the SEL program they recently implemented throughout their district. Debra has been a passionate educator for over 20 years. Working in both the public and private sectors of education, she has served students and families from pre-k and beyond. Debra works tirelessly to promote the social-emotional well-being of all students while supporting the academic success and growth for every student, every day. And Dr. Crystal Ladwig, the director of research for Suite360, a social-emotional learning provider that partners with districts across the country, also shared her perspective with us on this episode. As a researcher, teacher and a professor, Dr. Ladwig has a unique understanding of the issues facing teachers and families today. She has coordinated several research projects at the University of Florida, focusing on children with Autism and young children at-risk for the development of emotional and behavioral disorders.

Join us for a special episode with Tim Buckingham, the Virtual School Mentor at Big Rapids Public Schools, in Big Rapids, Michigan. Tim shares the district’s process of launching, refining and eventually hitting their stride with their virtual school. We discuss how to integrate a virtual program, including pitfalls to avoid, and strategies for getting it right the first time. Tim shares lessons learned (there are many!), how they have managed to increase student outcomes even in a pandemic, and practical suggestions for other districts as they consider how to develop their own virtual schools. Tim has been an educator for over 40 years and has a diverse background in education. He has spent many years at the high school level as a teacher and administrator and over 15 years as an elementary principal. The last seven years, he’s helped to establish the district’s virtual school, Big Rapids Virtual School, and today he serves as the school’s teacher/mentor. He retired five years ago, but loves his job so much that he keeps coming back! As we navigate this new way of learning, it’s certainly beneficial to speak with experts like Tim whose advice and guidance will benefit our community of listeners who are making their virtual school plans right now. You can find Tim's contact information here: https://www.brps.org/our-schools/big-rapids-virtual-school/staff-directory/.

Providing a safe place for students to learn with the challenges of COVID-19, in addition to the recent civil unrest, has fueled an examination of equitable policies, curriculum, and considerations for how we can ensure all students have an equal opportunity to succeed. In this podcast, we had a chance to explore this issue with two highly respected equity leaders who share how they are pursuing real and lasting equitable transformation within their districts. Shomari Jones, the director of equity and strategic engagement, for the Bellevue School District in Bellevue, Washington, shared his vast insight and experience. Bellevue School District is a large, multicultural district on the outskirts of Seattle with a highly diverse student population. Shomari is charged with researching, analyzing, developing initiatives, and coordinating strategies to ensure each and every student has an opportunity to succeed at Bellevue School District. He was recently recognized as a Leader to Learn From by Education Week. Diana Marshall, the director of equity and student achievement, for San Juan Unified School District in Carmichael, California, provided her passionate and unique perspective. San Juan Unified School District is a large, diverse district sprawling throughout 75-square miles in northern California. She oversees several projects and initiatives throughout her district to mentor specific populations of students, establish cultural proficiency training for employees, increase student voice and advocacy, and to create positive school climate for all students. She also leads the Equity Task Force and facilitates the Equity Community Collaborative. This episode is chock-full of applicable strategies that education leaders can apply within their districts to embrace equity transformation to impact lasting change.

Discussions about the fall are continuing to evolve with districts evaluating potential back to school scenarios to keep students safe, but still learning. We all seem to be talking about our students these days, but few are talking to the students themselves. On this episode, we have an opportunity to understand their concerns, their strategies for success and what they believe districts should consider when implementing long-term virtual learning programs. Our first guest, Nicola Peck, is a senior in high school, who recently landed a near perfect SAT score. She will be graduating this summer from Apex Learning Virtual School where she is a full-time virtual student. Nicola has a unique approach to learning that she credits is her father’s influence. She has also adopted many strategies along the way that have made her a very successful online student. Nicola Peck has accepted a full-tuition scholarship to Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky this fall. We also have Ryan Ziyuan Qu, a 16-year old sophomore at San Marino High School in Los Angeles. Ryan grew up in Beijing, China and immigrated to the United States with his mother when he was 10 years-old. In January, he founded a nonprofit organization whose mission is to assist and support single families through donations, employment opportunities and legislative reform. He recently led an initiative to support single families impacted by COVID-19 with a care package drive. He gathered individual donors, assembled baskets that included personal protective equipment and delivered care packages to single families in low income neighborhoods throughout Los Angeles.

Summer slide is a common issue in education. What’s not fully known is the impact summer slide will have in the fall when compounded by learning loss from COVID-19 this spring. In this podcast we address the potential for a large number of students to fall behind or develop significant gaps in their learning. We also discuss solutions to manage learning loss, resources available and best use cases where districts are successfully addressing student learning gaps. Our guest, Jean Sharp, has more than 25 years of leadership and management experience in the education and software publishing industries. Her expertise includes product development, curriculum strategy, instructional design and development, project management and effective implementations for digital learning solutions. Among her credits are numerous award-winning educational software products published for both school and consumer markets. Jean currently currently serves as a board member for the Digital Learning Collaborative.

COVID-19 has transformed discussions about equity and supporting our nation’s most vulnerable students. With the large-scale shift to online learning, educators have had many questions, but one that has frequently risen to the top is equity and providing equitable access to all students. This topic has also emerged front and center as one of the challenges for districts in supporting remote learning programs. We know this has been an overwhelming time for districts and administrators who are doing the best they can (as we all are!). In this episode, we discuss replicable strategies, resources and lessons learned on how to ensure remote learning programs support educational equity. One of our guests, Raymond Rose, is the Chair of the Public Policy Committee at the Texas Distance Learning Association. He is recognized as one of the most knowledgeable and accomplished visionaries defining and building online learning communities for more than 15 years. He created, and administered the first virtual high school in the country, and his background encompasses technology in education, innovation and digital accessibility to online learning. Kelsey Ortiz, the founder and director of the Inclusive Digital Era Collaborative at the KU Center for Research on Learning, also joined us for this episode. Kelsey supports state efforts for deeper policy on digital learning and equal access for all students. Her work includes development in online learning environments, compliance training in virtual schools, and advocacy for parents seeking equitable school choices. She previously conducted two large scale policy studies on special education policy in virtual schools, across all 50 states and eight territories, and the largest study on parents of children with disabilities enrolled in virtual schools. In this discussion, both Ray and Kelsey share their definition of equity and how they would describe providing equitable opportunities for students. They also offer their perspective on what they believe are major considerations districts need to be thinking about when it comes to equity.

In the rush to keep students learning amidst school closures, education leaders utilized whatever resources were available. This often translated to working with different programs for every subject, requiring students and educator to quickly adjust to new platforms. While schools and districts plan for the upcoming school year, there is an opportunity to consider how to streamline resources and reduce confusion. In our latest podcast, we talk with two district leaders about their strategies for creating virtual learning programs and their advice and guidance for districts who are navigating the challenges of an ongoing transition to virtual learning. To listen to the full podcast, visit: (link). These leaders share how their districts are establishing a continuity of resources so that teachers can focus on connecting with their students and students can focus on learning. We learn more about how administrators believe educators, students and families are adjusting to the new normal and whether or not they are feeling a sense of acceptance in acclimating to the changes. We also gain an understanding of what they consider to be the key components that are essential to a successful long-term virtual program and what’s important to get right, particularly if remote learning becomes a long-term solution. Amy Hollstein, the Deputy Superintendent for Charles County Public Schools in La Plata, Maryland, is a guest on today’s episode. She is a 29-year veteran of Charles County Public School. She began her career in 1987 as a teacher and was quickly promoted to vice principal of the elementary school where she was working. She went on to become a principal of the school in 2000 and later moved to a different elementary school in the district where she was credited with a drastic increase in student achievement. She received the Washington Post's Distinguished Educational Leadership Award and was the Charles County Public Schools 2011 Principal of the Year. Dr. Kimberly McClain, the Blended Learning Coordinator for Cincinnati Public Schools, also joined us for this episode. Kimberly has over 20 years of experience in public education as a classroom teacher, online/virtual instructor, administrator, and instructional designer emphasizing curriculum development in the virtual setting. Kimberly has spent the last 15 years working in online and hybrid learning environments with a focus on middle school, primarily with at-risk and specially circumstanced student populations. She has also studied leadership in K-12 online and virtual school environments.

In our eighth episode of Opportunity Thrives, we discuss tools, tips, and best practices to help support teachers who are new to online learning. As online learning has been thrust into the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic, we recognize that many districts and educators have questions about how to navigate this transition. Kari Feldhaus, who has been an online instructor for more than 15 years, shares the nuts and bolts of an online learning program, including specific steps for creating assignments, orienting parents and students, monitoring student progress, and providing students with additional support as they adjust to this transition. She also provides tips for sustaining student motivation. Online learning is a very different form of instruction than in the traditional classroom, and it’s clearly important to humanize the communication styles that are used. Kari shares how she keeps students engaged while learning remotely. To listen to this podcast or any of our other episodes, visit: www.opportunitythrives.com.

On today’s episode, we explore CTE, career technical education, available throughout schools nationwide. An increasing number of districts across the county recognize the value of career and technical education and are expanding their CTE programs by creating programs of study that are rigorous and aligned with post-secondary education and career pathways. Today we discuss strategies for establishing CTE programs to support students who struggle to graduate, tactics for effectively implementing these programs and resources that can be immediately applied within your school or district. Our first guest, Michael Connet, the Associate Deputy Executive Director for ACTE is responsible for promoting the impact of CTE on America’s learners. In his role he also supports the development and growth of the organization’s service to professionals engaged in preparing America’s STEM learners as the next generation of workers. He leads the efforts of the organization to build relationships that harness the potential of career and technical education, including opportunities to incorporate digital curriculum, and create projects and initiatives that elevate the profession. We are equally pleased to have Sandra Cerny on this episode. Sandra is an Online Blended Learning teacher and facilitator for Temecula Valley Unified School District in Temecula, CA. She currently teaches online CTE courses in the Business and Finance sector. She has collaborated on several curriculum writing and alignment teams for Temecula Valley, and has recently developed a Business Management pathway that is the first CTE course in the district to be delivered completely online. Sandra has been awarded a CTA Institute For Teaching Grant, and has been accepted into the 2020 CTE Online Curriculum Writing Institute as a Curriculum Writing Specialist.

This is an unprecedented time and one that has been particularly difficult on district leaders, students, and parents. While districts navigate how to manage the transition to virtual learning and shifting federal and state guidelines, families are tasked with entertaining and educating their children while still managing their work lives remotely. These are substantial demands, and they are affecting different families in different ways. The sudden shift to eliminate all social interactions and stay home as much as possible is not easy for anyone, but can be a particularly difficult transition for teenagers and their parents. Fortunately, there are practical strategies districts can share with families to help manage the new demands of educating their students while still juggling work and family life. In this podcast we discuss how districts can offer guidance and support while also fostering a sense of community among students, parents and teachers. Amy Valentine, the executive director of the Future of School, formerly known as the Foundation for Blended and Online Learning, joined us for the podcast. Future of School is a national nonprofit designed to support the growth of innovative school models integrating blended and online learning. And Dawn Holmes, an education expert who works with districts to provide increased learning opportunities, particularly for those who may be struggling, also joined us for the episode. Both Dawn and Amy provided valuable insight and advice on how to support families in navigating these challenging times.

On this episode of Opportunity Thrives, we explore how to not only implement a digital curriculum program within your district but also how to ensure it meets your district goals and supports student success. The use of online curriculum is often lumped into a single category of ‘digital learning,' however, not all programs are created equal. When launching a new digital learning program, it is key to evaluate district priorities with the most appropriate digital learning program and how to support the success of your students. Josh Silver, the Director of Virtual Learning for Las Cruces Public Schools in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and Beth Pace, a Coordinator of Secondary and Middle School Curriculum at Spartanburg School District One in Campobello, South Carolina share how to evaluate your priorities, consider a variety of deployment options, and align the right content to meet staff needs and target student success.

On the fourth episode of Opportunity Thrives, we take a closer look at technology and the gender gap. We discuss the challenges of engaging more females in computer science and some of the strategies that can be implemented to inspire these young learners to explore computer science and technology courses and pursue careers in these fields. Nine out of ten parents want their child to study computer science, but only 45% of schools teach computer programming. Computing makes up two-thirds of projected new jobs in STEM. Computing occupations are among the highest-paying jobs for new graduates. Yet fewer than 3% of college students graduate with a degree in computer science, and only 10% of STEM graduates are in computer science. A computer science major can earn 40 percent more than the college average. Schools are not required to offer computer science in 32 states. Only 29 percent of AP Computer Science students are women. Only 22% are Black/African American or Latinx. Women who try AP Computer Science in high school are ten times more likely to major in it, and Black and Latinx students are seven times more likely. Sabine Thomas, the Northwest regional manager for Code.org, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to computer science in schools and increasing participation by women and underrepresented minorities shares her insights on the show. The vision of Code.org is to provide every student in every school with the opportunity to learn computer science, just as easily as they have the chance to learn biology, chemistry or algebra. Sabine is passionate about Computer Science and Software Development and supports the organization by establishing organizational partnerships throughout the Northwest. Misty Christensen, a business education and AP computer science instructor at Dunwoody High School in the Dekalb County School System in Dunwoody, Georgia also joined us for the episode. After pursuing her teaching degree, she was so inspired by the computing classes she was teaching that she went back to school to get her degree in business education. Within her district, she supports Girls Who Code, the Robotics club, First Robotics Competition, and the Technology Student Association to help inspire both young men and women to pursue careers in computing.

Online learning has given rise to a spectrum of instructional models that redefine teaching and learning in the classroom. At one end, teachers use digital content to enhance teacher-led instruction and provide remediation. At the other, the digital curriculum is leveraged to transform primary instruction and support initial credit and credit recovery programs. However, for teachers who are adding one more thing to their day job, new technology can feel overwhelming. In this episode of Opportunity Thrives, we discuss what educators need most when it comes to adopting new digital curriculum programs and some of the strategies administrators can implement to make adopting the new technology a more seamless process for teachers. Our first guest, Laura Lee, is an editor and writer for Edutopia. Prior to her role at Edutopia, she worked as an educator with a civic education organization and then as a program administrator for two Fulbright grant programs. She has a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Maryland where she was an Eleanor Merrill Fellow. She has also worked at NPR producing content for the Washington desk, All Things Considered and Talk of the Nation. Shanise Goldsby, an assistant principal at Broadview Middle School in Burlington, North Carolina also joined us for the conversation. Shanise has been an educator for 17 years; 14 years as a seventh grade ELA and reading teacher and she is going on three years as an administrator. She is passionate about empowering her teachers to excel with digital curriculum and she shares specific strategies to help teachers get the resources they need to be successful.

In this episode of Opportunity Thrives, we discuss a topic that certainly isn’t new, but has evolved with the digital age: cheating, and how to maintain digital integrity when implementing an online curriculum program for today’s middle and high school students. For as long as students have sat in a desk, they have found creative ways to cheat in order to pass a test. All of the same student motivations still apply in a digital setting, but the strategies are slightly different. Two guests on this episode, Kecia Ray and John Watson, participated in a discussion on how districts can implement safeguards and best practices to reduce the incidences of cheating and discuss where many might fall short when it comes to digital integrity. John Watson is the Evergreen Education Group founder and primary researcher. He has two decades of experience in online learning and education technology conducting, writing, and presenting research as well as providing testimony on digital learning matters to state boards of education, legislatures, and charter school commissions. Dr. Kecia Ray has devoted her career to education technology and is the former executive director for the Center for Digital Education, Ray has worked as an administrator for the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools and for the Tennessee Commissioner of Education. She was also named one of the top 10 EdTech Leaders by Tech and Learning magazine and a top 100 EdTech Influencer by EdTech Digest. She now leads K20 Connect, a network of education and technology leaders focused on building effective practices in K20 education.

In first episode of Opportunity Thrives, Kim Loomis, the former Director of Digital Learning at Nevada’s Clark County School District, the 5th largest district in the nation, shares her strategies for how, when and where to support struggling students and make the biggest impact using digital curriculum. Today, Kim is the CEO of i3DigitalPD, helping educators across the nation to grow high quality digital learning programs. She recently authored, Think Outside the Box, a book that highlights hundreds of schools and thousands of classroom teachers in Nevada’s Clark County School District and their unique approaches to implementing digital curriculum to support struggling learners.