Teaching Gwinnett

Dr. Calvin Watts, Gwinnett County Public Schools' new superintendent, and the first African-American to hold the position, drops by to discuss a variety of topics including, the district's face mask mandate, social emotional learning, his relationship with the Gwinnett Board of Education and so much more. Episode Highlights: 11:10- Concerning things he's heard during his Look Listen and Learn Tour 17:05- Response to children that say school feels like prison 22:41- Response to the increase in social media school threats targeting schools 31:12- His stance on the Mask Mandate 36:29- Disruptions at school board meetings and how it impacts the work of the school board 42:20- Social Emotional Learning; What it is and why it is needed in GCPS 50:07- His relationship with the Gwinnett County Board of Education 52:29- How he handles disagreements between himself and the Gwinnett County Board of Education 58:41- His thoughts on hunting and butchering his own food, or going without it --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gcps-schools/message

Two former Gwinnett County Public Schools Teachers of the Year (TOTY) stop by to discuss: 02:08: What it is like being a TOTY during COVID. 06:47: How the TOTY selection process works; what candidates & judges have to do and go through 09:08: Reaction to hearing the news that they won 12:43: What TOTY finalists go through 16:54: Funny stories from the night they were named winners/hardest thing and best thing about being TOTY 25:50: How the final selection process works for TOTY 29:37: Some 2022 TOTY candidates share some of their innovative teaching techniques 42:42: Pop Quiz. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gcps-schools/message

From the hunters to the hunted! Collins Hill High School's varsity football coach Lenny Gregory drops by to discuss the 2021-22 season and the challenges of winning the 7A state title after coming up short in the title game last year. The district's athletic director also makes an appearance to discuss the success of girls flag football, allowing fans to watch games in person and another edition to, Pop Quiz. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gcps-schools/message

The new "School of the Arts" (SOTA) at Central Gwinnett High School is another example of Gwinnett County Public Schools' unwavering commitment to the fine arts. Shane Orr, the principal of Central Gwinnett High, stops by and explains why students obsessed with street dance or play an instrument, love recording or illustrate graphic novels, dream of art installations or write their own music, can pursue their artistic vision, explore their creativity, and learn from industry professionals at the SOTA. The district's director of fine arts explains how the SOTA came about and another edition of Pop Quiz. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gcps-schools/message

Carla Hart, Transportation Manager with Gwinnett County Public Schools, joins the show to discuss transporting students during a pandemic, what the district is doing to keep students safe on the ride to and from school and what parents and students should know about taking the school bus this year. She also reflects on the COVID-19 related challenges the transportation department faced over the last 18 months, why Uber Eats and Door Dash could learn a thing or two from her department and her revealing reaction to “Pop Quiz". --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gcps-schools/message

Dr. Clay Hunter, Gwinnett County Public Schools' (GCPS) Associate Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, drops by to discuss Summer Enrichment and Acceleration, GCPS' plan to help students brush up on what they learned this year--- while also exposing them to the curriculum they will be taught in the fall. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gcps-schools/message

In this episode of Teaching Gwinnett, Dr. Jon Valentine, Gwinnett County Public Schools' Director of foreign language stops by to discuss the school district's ground breaking dual language immersion program, how COVID-19 is impacting teaching and learning and what's new in year 7 of the program. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gcps-schools/message

In this episode of Teaching Gwinnett, we talk to GCPS counselors about the challenges of helping students during the pandemic, how they ensure no one is left behind and what students and parents should be doing now to prepare for college. We end the show with another edition of Did You Know? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gcps-schools/message

A candid and revealing conversation with the Director of the Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale County Health Department, and Gwinnett County Public Schools' Associate Superintendent of School Improvement and Operations. They discuss how COVID-19 is affecting the county and schools, address questions about the way GCPS shares information about positive cases with students and parents, and another edition of "Did You Know". --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gcps-schools/message

Dr. Tommy Welch, former award winning Principal of Meadowcreek High School, is Gwinnett County Public Schools' first Chief Equity Compliance Officer. In this edition of Teaching Gwinnett, Dr. Welch discusses what equity is, why it's important and what his job entails. He also addresses questions from some about the way GCPS is going about ensuring equity is in place, and he talks about his exposure to inequities in public education at a young age. We end the show with another addition of Did You Know. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gcps-schools/message

The first episode of Teaching Gwinnett Season 2 (2020-21) features an interesting and revealing interview with Rebecca Carlisle, Gwinnett County Public Schools' 2020 Teacher of the year. The home grown Gwinnett County graduate is fun, engaging and passionate about teaching. Carlisle, who is a AP World History teacher North Gwinnett High School, discusses teaching during a pandemic, the challenges and rewards, what fuels her passion for teaching and how the pandemic has affected her time as the district's Teacher of the year. She also reveals who "boo'd" her the night she won the award and why, as well as why she passed on accepting a free, fast and good looking sports car! The episode ends with another addition of "Did You Know?" --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gcps-schools/message

On this edition of Teaching Gwinnett, we tackle Digital Learning. Dr. Jonathan Patterson, Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) Associate Superintendent of Curriculum and Instructional Support, stops by to discuss a number of topics including; eClass, what it is, how it works, and how the district's online platform facilitates teaching and learning. He also breaks down what the school district is doing to ensures students not only have access to their school work, but complete it as well. And he answers the question, is digital learning the future of K-12 education? Then two GCPS educators join the show to discuss teaching during a pandemic. The creative ways they are using the district's digital learning platform to educate and stay connected to students, and the challenges of virtual teaching. We end the show with another addition of “Did you know?” --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gcps-schools/message

On this edition of Teaching Gwinnett, Dr. Steve Flynt, Gwinnett County Public Schools Associate Superintendent of School improvement and Operations, talks about the district's response to COVID-19. Dr. Flynt touches on a wide range of topics including, how GCPS' digital learning platform has allowed teaching and learning to continue; why the district is feeding students and how it's being done; the reason behind bringing more employees back to schools; and plans for graduation and summer school. We close the show with another addition of "Did You Know?" --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gcps-schools/message

On this special edition of Teaching Gwinnett, we talk to Meadowcreek High School's Cicely Lewis, the 2020 National Librarian. Mrs. Lewis, who is also Gwinnett County Public Schools Media Specialist of the Year and the Georgia Media Specialist of the year, talks about her award winning and world renown Read Woke program, its origins, how it works and its impact on students. She also touches on her childhood in Mississippi, how her mother sparked her passion for books and reading and the benefits and challenges of digital learning. We close out the show with another addition of "Did You Know?" --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gcps-schools/message

On this edition of Teaching Gwinnett, James Rayford, Janice Warren and Nury Crawford stop by to discuss Gwinnett County Public Schools Community Based Mentoring Program. Mr. Rayford kicks off the conversation detailing the history of the program, how it's impacted the lives of African American boys and what it takes to be a mentor. Ms. Warren discusses the girls priority, growing the program, success stories and her biggest challenge. Ms. Crawford touches on the Hispanic priority, bridging the cultural divide to build the program and plans for the future. We finish the show with another edition of "Did You Know?" --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gcps-schools/message

On this edition of Teaching Gwinnett, Karen Hallford, the Director of Gwinnett County Public Schools' award winning School Nutrition Program, drops by to talk about the district's breakfast and lunch menus. From locally sourced fruits and vegetables to offering healthy low fat and reduced calorie menu options, this is not your parents school lunch menu. Mrs. Hallford discusses the importance of having a professional chef on staff, creating health and delicious menu options and pop up restaurants. We end the show with another addition of "Did You Know." --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gcps-schools/message

In this episode of Teaching Gwinnett, we explore how the decision is made on whether to close schools because of inclement weather. Who makes the call, when is the decision made, and what factors are considered in the decision making process. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gcps-schools/message