The Answer Key: Learning and Leadership in the K-12 World

Follow The Answer Key: Learning and Leadership in the K-12 World
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

Learning and leadership evolve but what remains constant are school professionals who consistently revise, push boundaries and adapt practices to maximize student success! As Stephen Covey and Bud Spillane often said, “The main thing is to keep the main t


    • Nov 29, 2021 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 33m AVG DURATION
    • 25 EPISODES


    Search for episodes from The Answer Key: Learning and Leadership in the K-12 World with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from The Answer Key: Learning and Leadership in the K-12 World

    What is Computer Science and how can I get started?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 29, 2021 28:12


    As schools try to prepare students for a world integrated with technology, a focus on Computer Science might be the key to success in getting students more engaged in their classroom experiences today, and start developing skills that could be a launchpad to future careers that might not even exist yet! Join us as Alex Fuentes, and Jackie Wheeler for FCPS' Steam and Computer Science team discuss this topic and more!

    Student Portfolios: WHY and HOW teachers should get started now!

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2021 36:54


    How can we put students in the driver's seat of their learning? Join Holly Sims and Jamie Wilson as we explore the impact of student portfolios, where students will collect evidence, curate artifacts and create an ongoing portfolio that captures their learning in an authentic way!

    A Deeper Look: Portrait of a Graduate Presentations of Learning

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2021 28:52


    How can we authentically assess the development of real-world skills? Join Andrea Hand and Christie Day as we explore the purpose of POG POL, or Portrait of a Graduate Presentations of Learning, where students will show growth of skill development by curating and defending a portfolio that shows their skills in action!

    Digital Citizenship: When Technology Intersects with Social Emotional Learning and Executive Functioning

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2020 47:12


    Learning to “stop and pause” is a learned skill that can help diffuse an unwanted situation. This podcast explores how executive functioning and social emotional skills impact a student's approach to digital communication, creation and participation. The meaning of digital citizenship for students is defined and discussed, as well as tips for safe navigation in digital spaces.

    What to Ask Writers and Illustrators

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2019 26:47


    Students are writers and illustrators! That's the message from the rock stars of children's literature, and the reason a distance learning series called Meet the Author is such a popular FCPS venue for blended learning opportunities. This episode features author Dorie Hillestad Butler and illustrator Nancy Meyers, the award winning duo behind King and Kayla – chapter books about a young girl who solves mysteries with the help of her canine buddy. Interview questions are discussed and the importance of modeling the writing process.

    Math Workshop!

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2019 31:16


    Math Workshop is transforming how students learn math in elementary school. What are the essential components of math workshop, and how do you, as teachers, structure class for student engagement, math discourse, and number sense routines? Educators share the significance of building math communities, small and large group lessons, quality math activities, guided math, and opportunities for reflection. And yes, math is fun and fun to teach!

    Instructional Coaches

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2019 26:51


    Instructional Coaches are an important part of a school community. Take a listen and learn what an instructional coach does, and how their many roles support professional learning, school goals, and ultimately, student success.

    Portrait of a Graduate: Update

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2018 33:10


    Learn how teachers and administrators are intentionally teaching skills and attributes known as Portrait of a Graduate, and reaping positive results. In many ways, POG has improved the culture of school communities, boosted student attendance, and reclaimed the joy of teaching. This is part two of a series. Guests include: Andrea Hand, Manager of Best Practices for Teaching and Learning for FCPS, Amy Miller, school principal, and Luke Williams, science teacher.

    ESOL: English Language Learners at FCPS

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2018 34:28


    The number of English language learners is increasing across the country. Fairfax County, Virginia is no exception. At Fairfax County Public Schools language acquisition happens in all content areas, across all grade levels, and with purposeful professional development. Meet educators who can describe English language instruction, and the rewards and challenges of English for Speakers of Other Languages or ESOL.

    Questions From New Teachers at Great Beginnings 2018

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2018 42:05


    From instructional differentiation to student engagement, educators Natasha Saunders and Elizabeth Dean address many frequently asked questions from new teachers. The role of collaboration, technology, parent involvement and self-care are also discussed. Great Beginnings refers to a series of on-going, professional development seminars designed for teachers at FCPS.

    Cultural Proficiency and Equity in Education

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2018 44:11


    Guests from the FCPS office of Professional Learning and Cultural Responsiveness join the program to define what cultural proficiency is, how it relates to equity for our students, and how FCPS is developing culturally proficient leaders in schools and administrative offices.

    Transition for Students with Disabilities to Postsecondary Education

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2018 35:51


    Graduating from high school and going to college can be a big change for any teenager. But what can students with disabilities expect when they head off to college? Jackie Gaston with FCPS and Joan Ehrlich from NOVA will share ways teachers and parents can support students through the process.

    School Libraries - Part 2: Collaboration

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2018 30:53


    Many school libraries include collaborative instructional spaces, where teachers and librarians co-teach to maximize resources and professional skill sets. Learn how two middle school educators team up at the library. The result: more student-centered instruction, more student engagement, and more insight into professional best practices.

    Women in STEM: Finding Opportunities in the Technology Field

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2018 26:35


    What is it like for women who work in the technology field? We interview two leaders from Fairfax County Public Schools Department of Information Technology. Maribeth Luftglass, the Assistant Superintendent of Information Technology, and Andie Powell, Director of Information Technology Support Services, share their experiences.

    School Libraries - Part 1: Access and Barriers

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2018 31:10


    School librarians not only help students navigate vast amounts of information, but are an essential resource for many educators, parents and kids. What are the rewards and challenges? A middle school librarian describes her school, the role of an information professional, and the goal of meeting the needs of students across content areas. Issues of access and barriers are discussed.

    Portrait of a Graduate: Exploring the What, Why, and How

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2017 30:44


    Portrait of a Graduate is at the heart of Fairfax County Public Schools' vision for student success, both in school and in life. Learn more about the what, why, and how of Portrait of a Graduate-focused teaching and learning.

    FCPSOn: Digital Transformation

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2017 31:16


    Learn about FCPSOn, a 1:1 digital transformation intended to extend student learning and ensure that students have equal opportunities to develop skills that enhance their ability to critically think, communicate, create and collaborate in an ever changing, diverse world. FCPSOn is in a pilot phase, reaching fifteen schools, K-12. Early indicators suggest professional development and teacher engagement is fundamental to FCPSOn success.

    Elementary Math: Greater Than The Sum Of Its Parts

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2017 31:22


    Elementary mathematics is no longer focused on speed and memorization. Instead, students learn to be mathematical problem solvers and to make mathematical connections. Educators Kristin Wiley and Kim Harris share best practices on teaching math concepts that prepare students for high school and beyond.

    Growth Mindset: Meet Dr. Scott Brabrand

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2017 7:28


    Dr. Scott Brabrand, Superintendent of Fairfax County Public Schools, shares his vision for one of the largest school systems in the country.

    Read, Write, Think, Discuss: Disciplinary Literacy

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2017 36:39


    Disciplinary literacy is the ability to read, write, think and discuss across content areas. Maps, graphs, poetry and prose are examples of different text structures. How well a student can read, write, think and discuss diverse texts takes practice and purposeful planning. Educators Chris Tovani and Paige Whitlock share how secondary teachers can embolden students to own literacy in all subject areas.

    Teaching Shakespeare: To Dos And Not To Dos

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2017 52:08


    Shakespeare is taught in high schools all across the country, but have you ever thought about what goes into teaching Shakespeare? West Potomac High School English Teacher Colin O'Grady has spent years studying Shakespeare and recently he designed an elective course called Shakespeare Studies to share with students what he has learned. Through an engaging, and inquiry-driven curriculum students discover that Shakespeare is still as relevant as ever.

    The Preschool Autism Classroom: How Does it Work?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2017 43:02


    Youngsters on the autism spectrum benefit from a preschool experience with specially trained instructional and support staff. The Preschool Autism Classes (PAC) is a full day program where a variety of learning strategies are used, including the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis and Verbal Behavior. PAC is the beginning of a learning journey that encourages the ability of every child to communicate their wants and needs in a socially acceptable manner.

    Hands-On History: Facilitating Student Internships

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2017 31:16


    Local history is frequently forgotten or underappreciated, but high school history teacher Brian Heintz encourages his students to see local history in context of national events and regional custom. By facilitating internship opportunities, Heintz is able to guide his students to experience and explain local history in a variety of ways. Jeff Clark, educational media producer, joins the discussion as an intern mentor and local history enthusiast.

    Make it Real: Project Based Learning (PBL)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2017 37:18


    In Project Based Learning (PBL) students are given time to investigate and solve an open-ended challenge that leads to deeper thinking and real world understanding. But how to do it? Educators Jeff Lonnett and Christie Day explain how PBL breaks down content silos to become a powerful instructional model.

    Technology with Purpose: When Curriculum and Technology Intersect

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2017 29:43


    When technology is used with purpose in a classroom setting it can maximize how students learn and teachers teach. This is an interview with Ellen Mukai, who leads a dynamic team of school based technology specialists for one of the largest school systems in the country.

    Claim The Answer Key: Learning and Leadership in the K-12 World

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel