The Ed Narrative

In this episode Dr. Gravity Goldberg discusses ways in which one can approach their craft mindfully and thoughtfully so that they are presenting themselves authentically to their students. Also in this episode we discuss empowerment and equity--definitely a good episode for pre-service when teachers are gearing up for the new school year.

In this episode we discuss Differentiated Coaching, with Dr. Jane Kise as well as leadership as it relates to a holistic approach, and gender equity. She has recently published two books, Holistic Leadership, Thriving Schools, and Step In, Step Up, a book she co-authored with Barbara K. Watterston.

In this episode co-authors Dr. Isabel Sawyer and Dr. Marisa Ramirez Stukey discuss the difference between professional development and professional learning, as well as what approaches yield better results when it comes to faculty-based adult learning.

This episode was part of a kick-off event with Community Middle School in Albemarle County Schools. It was recorded live with the students of the middle school as an audience. In this episode we talk with documentary filmmaker, Lorenzo Dickerson, who has also begun an African-American film festival called the Maupintown Film Festival that runs in July in Charlottesville. He grew up in the Albemarle/Charlottesville area and attended rural Albemarle County schools growing up.

This episode is a great one not just for new teachers, but for anyone who works with people (basically everyone then…) In this episode, we'll talk about Jennifer Abrams' work as a voice coach (see her blog for more information) the ins and outs of self-advocating, and speaking up when something is not right. We will also discuss her upcoming book, Swimming in the Deep End.

Dr. John Almarode joins us again for a discussion about PLCs. As part of the Visible Learning team they have worked to reimagine PLCs and employ Visible Learning ideas to make sure that the teacher is put back at the center of the workings of a PLC. We discuss equity, pre assessment, as well as ways that teacher teams can ensure their work is effective within their PLCs.

This episode, we discuss elementary education, and how equity figures into it. Guests Brandon Readus and Whitney Hinnant teach at Woodbrook Elementary in Albemarle County Schools. Brandon is a Gifted Resource Teacher, and Whitney is a Multiage Kindergarten/First grade educator, both are certified culturally responsive educators, and equity consultants. They also co-host the podcast, Black Teacher Code, which can be found on Soundcloud.

This episode is one that allows us to learn more about the thought behind Differentiation—where it's going, where it's been, and also provides the opportunity to hear some of the ideas around education from Carol Ann Tomlinson, who really has transformed modern education practice. It was a pleasure and privilege to have a conversation with her. In this episode, we are also joined by Mindy Moran, who was a student of Carol's and is a lead coach with Albemarle County Schools.

John Antonetti joins us for a discussion of planning for thinking moments that engage learners

Diane Sweeney's Student Centered Coaching model allows for coaching to impact students and teachers both. It's a different approach to some of the more traditional models of coaching, but one that involves teacher and coach going deep into the curriculum and practice.

Albemarle County Public Schools' Debbie Collins, Asst. Superintendent of Student Learning, Jennifer Sublette, Director of Professional Learning, and John Hobson, Lead Coach-Social Studies join me to discuss the processes and philosophies involved in the process of designing a coaching model, as well as the way in which the ACPS coaching model has both persisted and evolved in the past decade.

This year, Albemarle County Schools has taken on a mission to improve achievement and opportunity gaps in diverse groups of students. To discuss the equity work that has been ongoing in ACPS, I sat down with Dr. Bernard Hairston, and learned more about the work.

Chris Shedd teaches Social Studies at Burley Middle School in Charlottesville, Virginia. We had the opportunity to talk at the end of the year. We cover a lot of ground, along with some interesting work he's done with Google Expeditions and history curriculum.

This episode covers a lot of ground, connecting Elena Aguilar's work on coaching and her new book Onward. It was a pleasure to talk with her and learn more about how she conceptualizes the work of building resilience, and how her work as a coach helps to build up educators' capacity.

We cover a lot of ground in this episode. And even though the pedagogy in Dr. Almarode's book is geared toward science, the Visible Learning framework translates well to any discipline of study. It's a great listen.

This episode is full of information and allows you to better understand some of the basics around Restorative Practice. Also in this episode are things to know when mediating, and how mediation is rarely the way to deal with bullying or abuse.

Dr. Pam Moran is the current Superintendent of Schools for Albemarle County, VA, a district that has come to be known for its leadership and innovative practices. Dr. Matt Haas is the Deputy Superintendent, and will be taking over the position of Superintendent in July. In this conversation we discuss the transition for the district, as well as some of the changes coming through the High School 2022 initiative (see Blog Supplement for more info).

This episode takes a look at trauma informed education. Sara Robinson, who delivers trainings on ACEs and trauma informed education for the Charlottesville area Region Ten organization talks with us about what trauma informed means, and some things that are being done to help improve outcomes for students coping with chronic traumas. Check out the blogpost supplement as well.

In this podcast, we talk about many things, Teach Like a Pirate, NBCT, and state standardized tests just to name a few.

Zaretta Hammond's work has really opened up a world of possibilities when it comes to teaching students equitably and meeting them where they live. During her visit in Charlottesville, VA, I had the opportunity to sit down with her for a discussion about her work.

This episode is a good one that gives some insight on the grantwriting process and what makes a good application. We speak with Chris Stanek and Shannon Deegan.

Maureen Jensen returns with John Hobson to discuss Elena Aguilar's book, The Art of Coaching Teams. This episode gives a good overview on leadership of teams.

This episode features a conversation about Jane Kise's Differentiated Coaching. We are joined by coaches Shannon Cruthirds and Leslie Gibson.

We talk about Zaretta Hammond's book Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain. It's a good conversation and could easily go into more episodes.

In this episode we discuss Costa's Cognitive Coaching, which is a bit of a heady read. This is a good place to start with the text. Neeley Reagan and Matt Salerno join us for this episode.

In this episode we talk with Maureen Jensen, lead coach for Albemarle County Schools, to talk about Elena Aguilar's book, The Art of Coaching. This is the first episode of this podcast, as well as the first in our Instructional Coaching series.