School Zoned

In this episode, Brent talks with Brandi about how Sharon-Mutual PS handled distance learning during COVID-19. As a 1-to-1 Chromebook district, they were already using many personalized learning technology tools that made the transition a little easier. She gives several recommendations on what helped her.

In this episode, Brent speaks with Kyle Reynolds about the struggles and successes Woodward PS has experienced during the COVID-19 distance learning period, their lessons learned and their plans moving forward.

In this episode, Brent speaks with Washington PS Superintendent Chris Reynolds and founder of The Program: College Consulting, Deanna Akin, about how the two have been working together to help students navigate the process of preparing for college. Made more difficult during COVID-19, Deanna has been supporting the district's counselors and students on how to stay on top of all the necessary steps leading up to their first year of college.

In this episode, Brent talked with Sabari about her own educational experience and then how she came to co-create Nepris, a website that connects educators with a vast network of industry professionals to engage students in their learning and prepare them for their future.

In this episode, Brent talks with Marilyn Doerfel, who homeschooled 5 of her 7 children, including our colleague Jordan Doerfel! She also has experience in teaching students through a blended model, so we picked her brain of what to do and what not to do when it comes to distance learning.

In this episode, Brent talks with OKCPS Title III ELL Instructional Facilitator Diana Dawson about strategies to use in distance learning with English language learners. Solutions they discussed include newcomer and shelter packets and a whole variety of online resources.

In this episode, Brent speaks with OSDE's Office of Legal Services General Counsel Brad Clark. They discuss various legal questions surrounding distance learning that the State Department has received: equity, special education, CPR requirements, privacy issues using Zoom and students, support employee pay, etc.

In this episode, Brent talks with Oklahoma Achieves Executive Director Ryan Walters who also teaches online AP U.S. History to McAlester and Millwood Public School students. He covers lessons he has learned by teaching through distance learning, both the pros and the cons, and how to effectively use various tools to present the best lessons possible to your students.

In this episode, Brent talks with OSDE Executive Director of Special Education Todd Loftin about various resources and solutions available to use with those students who have special needs.

In this episode, Brent talks with Superintendent Kyle Lierle about how Ft. Cobb PS is handling distance learning, the challenges his community faces and their solutions to address them.

In this episode, Jason Midkiff and Jason Mack talk with Jason Lange about how BloomBoard is helping teachers further their own learning through micro-credentialing. They also announce an exciting new partnership with us and how we plan to support our members with their online resources.

In this episode, Brent talks with Dr. Lisa Daniels, program specialist with the Oklahoma Supplemental Online Course Program (OSOCP). OSOCP is a collaborative effort between the Oklahoma State Department of Education, the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board & the local school district. Dr. Daniels talks about all the existing resources they have that schools can use for online learning, especially during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

In this episode, Brent talks with OPSRC Teaching & Learning staff Jason Midkiff and Jean Potter about a variety of resources available for teachers to use in distance learning. They also offer up helpful suggestions to make the experience less stressful for all.

Now that schools have the option to hold virtual school board meetings, Brent gathered some of the OPSRC team (Terri Thomas, Eric Doss, Andy Evans) to talk about guidelines schools will need to follow and recommendations on how to begin holding virtual board meetings.

We talked with counselors and school leaders who shared resources for coping during a time of anxiety & uncertainty.

We talked to Muskogee Public Schools' Chief Operations Officer Eric Wells and Aruba Systems Engineer Joshua Williams about infrastructure, equity issues, connectivity issues and how schools can support online learning.

Brent talked with Transcend Education's Partner of School Design Services Jamila MacArthur and Casady School's Technology Integration and Innovation Specialist, Wesley Fryer. Their discussion included various resources families can use throughout school closures due to COVID-19.

Brent talked to Executive Director of Hunger Free Oklahoma Chris Bernard and El Reno Public Schools Superintendent Craig McVay and Community Outreach Director Brooke Robertson about resources and guidance on how to handle feeding students during #oklaed school closures.

The 2 Jasons (Mack & Midkiff) talk with Sandra Kent about her role at A+ Schools, what the organization is all about and how they're helping implement art education throughout all curriculum. They also discussed the upcoming June conference: Creativity 2020: Not Your Average Conference.

Jason Mack and Jason Midkiff talk to Todd about his role at the OKSDE in furthering financial literacy among our state's public schools. They also talk about his work to support districts' business teachers and various student opportunities available to help them think about financial career opportunities: career fairs, internships, mentorships, etc.

In this episode Jason Mack and OPSRC Policy Director Jacque Walsh talk with Rebecca about Oklahoma's current legislative session and active education bills.

TSET's Director of Public Information & Outreach Thomas Larson and Healthy Incentive Grants (Schools) Program Manager Sharon Howard speak about their work to help schools and programs beyond.

In this episode, Jason Mack talks with Rep. Rosecrants about his play-based learning initiative (HB 2794). Rep. Rosecrants also gives an update on the upcoming legislative session, including bills that are being proposed to address education in our state.

In this episode, Jason Mack talks with Emily about Operation Engagement. They also discuss her other role of being an instructional specialist with Yukon Public Schools. Operation Engagement began as a passion project to get students excited about learning and help teachers make their classrooms fun places by using special kits Emily and her staff have created that teachers can use for free!

Jason Midkiff and Jason Mack host this episode with Susan Snyder, during which they discuss the Bal-A-Vis-X program that Norman uses across their district. She has been using the program in her classroom for 10 years and has seen the incredible benefits for all students. The program, created by Bill Hubert, helps regulate students' attention and self control and also encourages cooperation between students. In fact, Susan found that her students' test scores were much higher than students in other classes that didn't incorporate Bal-A-Vis-X. The program is also used in nursing homes and with women & men in the armed forces who are experiencing the effects of PTSD.

In this episode, Brent talks with Assistant Principal/AP U.S. History Teacher Dewayne Hampton and Aviation, Engineering and Robotics Teacher Bret Lalli about the innovative programs they are providing their students. They talked about their participation in robotics leagues, how they are using Python coding curriculum, how they're addressing the need for aviation education and how they fund the programs.

In today's episode Jason Mack talks with Paula about Ada's highly successful aviation program from its inception to today. Not only have they been awarded multiple yearly grants for their program, but they have become the example for other schools across the state to follow in implementing their own aviation programs, and they've received national attention for their efforts.

Our guests today are Paula Gates, Director of Early Childhood Services with Sunbeam Family Services, and Cecilia Robinson-Woods, Superintendent of Millwood Public Schools. Director of Teaching & Learning Jason Midkiff is our host for this episode, and he talks with our guests about how they are working together to increase early childhood readiness specifically in Millwood PS. Paula also discussed how Sunbeam's Early Head Start and Head Start programs prepare children, prenatal to five years old, to enter kindergarten with the skills necessary to be ready for school and life.

Jason Midkiff and Jason Mack from our Teaching & Learning team talk with David about the growing popularity and legitimacy of esports even here in Oklahoma and UCO's role in bringing it to students. David breaks down how schools can get started with their own teams: what equipment a school needs, how to recruit students to participate, how to generate revenue, etc. They also discuss shoutcasting, an integral job to esports and another career path for students who are interested in esports to consider.

Brent and Jon talk about all the work the School Safety and Security Office does to ensure Oklahoma schools remain as safe as possible. This includes the new Rave Panic Button app that districts have access to at no cost.

Brent and Sec. Rogers discussed where he grew up (NM), his time at ORU, settling in Broken Arrow and how he got into politics.They also talk about his new dual roles of Secretary of State and Education under Governor Stitt and what those encompass.

Brent and Adam talk about Oklahoma's role as a national aviation leader and how the Aeronautics Commission is providing annual grants to schools to help students explore career options in aviation.

Brent and Becky talk about her role as Teacher of the Year and what sort of things she does traveling across the state talking to teachers. They also talk about her experiences as an art teacher and during her time at Plaza Towers Elementary School when the 2013 Moore tornado hit.

Director of Education Amy Brewer and Director of Family Support Kelly Berger join OPSRC's Jamila MacArthur and Sarah Julian to talk about the services and support Positive Tomorrows provides their students and families who experience homelessness and poverty.

Brent and Julian discuss Julian's role at the SDE and what he is doing to address native students' needs across the state. They also discuss resources people can access to educate themselves about the 39 tribes in Oklahoma and the history of native peoples.

Brent spoke with Marquita Seifried, STARS Invest Ed program manager and Clinna Smith, family consumer science teacher from Caney Public Schools about their role with the Invest Ed program and educating Oklahoma students state-wide with unbiased securities education focusing on the investment basics and fraud prevention.They also give teachers the opportunity to teach the program and earn some extra money for doing so!

Brent talks with Stephanie about her podcast, Passing Notes, and her work with early childhood educators and providing resources for families in the Oklahoma City Public School district.

Brent and Ryan talk about Ryan's new role as executive director of Oklahoma Achieves. They also make the exciting announcement that he will be teaching a blending learning AP U.S History class through our NextThought platform with students from Millwood and McAlester Public Schools.

The school climate episode continues this week with 2 additional OKCPS school climate specialists and discussions on how OKCPS is teaching adults successful classroom strategies, including a focus on new and emergency-certified teachers along with veterans.

What's the difference between school climate and culture? What is PBIS, and how is OKCPS using this strategy? How do they address behavioral issues and basic classroom processes? The School Climate team addresses these topics and more in today's episode.

In this final episode of our leaders series with the OK State Department of Education, Brent talks with Levi and Karen about computer science and its evolution in our schools. They also discuss the new CS standards that are gaining us national attention and how these new standards affect the classroom.

In this final episode of our leaders series with the OK State Department of Education, Brent talks with Levi and Karen about computer science and its evolution in our schools. They also discuss the new CS standards that are gaining us national attention and how these new standards affect the classroom.

In this episode, Brent talks with Marissa about ICAP (Individual Career Academic Plan)--a process that helps students engage in academic and career development activities and a product that is created and maintained for students’ academic, career and personal advancement.

This episode covers how the State Department of Education is addressing ACEs (adverse childhood experiences) and supporting schools with trauma-informed instructional training & resources.

Brent talked with Supt. Hofmeister on a variety of projects and programs affecting public education in the state.

Brent talked with Supt. Hofmeister on a variety of projects and programs affecting public education in the state.

Brent talks with Eli about how his company works with schools to implement energy-efficient options to save money.

Brent talks with Candace and Devin and what Hunger Free Oklahoma is doing to address food insecurity throughout the state, including our schools.

Brent talks to Kurt about his background, his work at the SDE and his goals for working with OPSRC member schools.

Brent speaks with Dr. Hudnall about his experience as a school leader and his work across the world educating schools and families about suicide prevention.

Brent talks with Melissa and Lynn about a new NWEA product: MAP Reading Fluency. Melissa discusses the impact this program has had on her students' literacy skills.