The Educator's Blueprint

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Join us as we engage in meaningful conversations on topics currently impacting our school systems, behavior, and instructional practices. From the classroom to the boardroom, we welcome you to unpack, reflect, and learn with us.

Dr. Lisa Powers and Ms. Jamie Grieshaber


    • May 24, 2022 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 38m AVG DURATION
    • 44 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The Educator's Blueprint

    EP 35: Year in Review

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2022 40:16


    In this episode, Lisa and Jamie reflect on the year and share some of their favorite episodes. 

    Episode 34: Innovative Ways to Grow Paraprofessionals

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2022 40:16


    In this episode, Lisa and Jamie speak with Dr.  Reesha Adamson,  Associate Professor at Missouri State University,  on innovative ways to prepare paraprofessionals to become special education teachers.   Show Notes 

    Episode 33: Engaging Families in the IEP Process

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2022 40:16


    In this episode, Lisa and Jamie speak with Dr.  Laura Kern, a Research Assistant Professor, at University of South Florida, on how to successfully engage and partner  with families in the IEP process.  Practical strategies and examples are shared.Show Notes

    Episode 32: Preparing Special Education Teachers with Dr. Cathy Thomas (Part 2)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2022 37:43


    In this episode, Lisa and Jamie continue the conversation with Dr. Cathy Thomas,  Associate Professor of Special Education,  Texas State University,  to discuss  special education and teacher preparation.  This second session of a two part episode focuses on exploring innovative ways to attract and retain special education teachers. 

    Episode 31: Preparing Special Education Teachers with Dr. Cathy Thomas (Part 1)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2022 40:16


    In this episode, Lisa and Jamie speak with Dr. Cathy Thomas,  Associate Professor of Special Education,  Texas State University,  to discuss  special education and teacher preparation.  This first of a two part episode focuses on describing and defining special teacher preparation compared to general educators pre-service.  Show notes

    Episode 30: Supporting Tier 3 and Special Education within an MTSS Framework with Dr. Kathleen Strickland-Cohen

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2022 37:02


    In this episode, Lisa and Jamie speak with Dr. Kathleen Cohen-Strickland,  BCBA-D, Research Associate Professor,  University of Oregon,  to answer the question, how are children and youth at highest risk supported in a tiered system framework. Show notes

    Bonus 7: Urban Education

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2022 40:16


    Ms. Casetta Brown,  School Culture and Climate Coordinator in St. Louis Public School District,  discusses her experiences in urban education and provides practical strategies to address  culture and climate in the classroom. Show Notes

    Ep. 29 District Supports for Special Educator's with Dr. Terry Houlton

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2022 44:42


    In this episode, Lisa and Jamie speak with Dr. Terry Houlton, Director of Special Education, in Millard Public Schools,  regarding systems to support special education teachers as part of an MTSS framework. Show Notes

    Episode 28: Engaging Families in Special Education with Dr. Laura Kern

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2022 35:11


    In this episode, Lisa and Jamie speak with Dr.  Laura Kern, a Research Assistant Professor, at University of South Florida, on how to successfully engage and partner  with families of children with disabilities.  Practical strategies and examples are shared.Show Notes   

    Episode 27: Using Performance Feedback to Support Teachers with Dr. Lisa Hazel

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2022 40:16


    In this episode we chat with  Dr. Lisa Hazel,  Assistant Superintendent of School Leadership in Ferguson-Florissant School District,  regarding principal leadership and partnering with teachers.  We also discuss how performance feedback is an essential tool for  teachers, coaches, and leaders.  Show notes

    Episode 26: Dr. Nanci Johnson on Missouri SW-PBS Classroom Materials

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2022 39:25


    Join us as we unpack the journey of SW-PBS in Missouri; everything from the evolution of language, materials, and the approach to training and coaching (stand and deliver,  flipped learning, district systems, focus on performance feedback). Learn  how  materials are resources from MOSWPS are available for everyone at anytime.  Dr. Johnson takes us on an informative walk with deep insight and the advice to always have a friend who loves data. Show Notes 

    Episode 25: Intentionality in the Classroom with Dr. Brandi Simonsen

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2022 25:57


    Join us as we unpack more Tier 1 classroom strategies with intentionality and learn to celebrate the small wins along the way. Dr. Brandi Simonsen is thoughtful, clear and supportive in exploring ways to contextualize frameworks and move the work forward one step at a time. Show Notes 

    Episode 24: The Impact of Policy with Dr. Ambra Green

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2022 36:05


    In this episode, Lisa and Jamie speak with Dr. Ambra Green about ways to explore culturally responsive, equitable and relevant policies that impact the classroom. Dr. Green explains how the history of school discipline, its foundational roots, are still impacting how decisions are made for students today. Additionally, when educators understand their own learning histories, become intentionally aware and curious about policy, and thoughtfully engage families in the conversation, it will help all of us get one step closer to more equitable and culturally responsive policy making that supports the success of all students. Show Notes

    Bonus 6: Looking Ahead

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2022 12:52


    In this episode you will meet the new co-host of the Educator's Blueprint, Jamie Grieshaber,  reflect on past episodes, and learn what is coming this spring. 

    Episode 23: Winter Warm-Up

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2021 31:42


    In this episode Lisa and Trisha speak with Dr. Kelsey Morris regarding strategies to wrap up the end of first semester and how to ensure a successful start to second semester.Show Notes

    Episode 22: Clip Charts...Yay or Nay

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2021 31:53


    In this episode we chat with Danielle Starkey, Supervisor of MTSS-B in Omaha Public Schools, regarding the history of clip charts, what research says about clip charts, and what research-based practices exist.Show Notes and Resources

    Episode 21: How Can I Respond

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2021 34:22


    There are a number of ways in which we can respond to student behavior. In this episode, Dr. Kelsey Morris shares a number of strategies and resources that can be utilized in the classroom.

    Episode 20: Perspective from Two Secondary Teachers

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2021 32:21


    Last week we spoke with two elementary teachers regarding their teaching experience last year, this year, how students, families, and colleagues are doing, and what is a wish they have for the future or what is a bright spot that they see. This week, we ask two secondary teachers those exact same questions.

    Episode 19: Current Reality from Two Elementary Teachers

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2021 35:34


    In this episode we speak with two elementary teachers to learn more about their experience as a teacher during Covid and how things are now.

    Episode 18 - Part 2: Ferguson-Florissant and MTSS

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2021 32:55


    In this episode we continue our interview with Dr. Joseph Davis and Dr. Bonita Jameson with a focus on:the District Systems Fidelity Inventory (DSFI) and how that assessment led them to look at the policies within their district around student expectation codes codes. Can you talk a little bit about thatwhat did the district learn during the 2020-2021 school year with Covid and how is that impacting the 2021-2022 school year  identification of their proudest moments within the school district and what they are most excited about for the 21-22 school yearShow Notes

    Episode 18 - Part 1: Ferguson-Florissant and MTSS

    Play Episode Play 56 sec Highlight Listen Later Oct 27, 2021 30:36


    In this two-part episode Lisa interviews the Superintendent of the Ferguson-Florissant School District (MO), Dr. Joseph Davis, and the new Superintendent of Maplewood Richmond Heights School District (MO), Dr. Bonita E. Jamison, regarding their work around MTSS. In part one of Episode 18 they discuss:what MTSS/PBIS looks like in Ferguson-Florrisant and how does that work support the vision and mission of what is trying to be accomplished within the community,and how the District MTSS/PBIS Team uses data for decision making and how that work is driven by district goals

    Episode 17: The PBIS Leadership Forum

    Play Episode Play 60 sec Highlight Listen Later Oct 20, 2021 42:24


    We speak with Dr. Lucille Eber, one of the organizers of the PBIS Leadership Forum, and learn about:the history of this technical assistance event,who should attend,how is the Forum organized,what are the benefits of the Forum being virtual this year,who are some of the presenters,what does it mean and why is it important that all the presenters are "invitation only" speakers PBIS Leadership Forum website

    Episode 16: We're Headed to a Conference

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2021 32:17


    As we start Series 4 regarding conferences, we discuss strategies for making the most out of each conference you attend in person and/or virtually. Our conversation is guided by questions such as: How do you pre-plan to get the most out of a conference?When there are multiple sessions that you want to attend happening at the same time, how do you decipher which one to attend?Fast forward in time to being at a conference. How do you go about networking and why is that important? The conference has concluded and you have tons of notes from all the sessions attended, what do you do with all that information?What strategies do you use to identify the first steps in implementation of new ideasWhat conference are you headed to next?Show Notes

    Bonus 5: What We're Listening To

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2021 35:13


    In this bonus episode we chat about our favorite podcasts, 18 to be exact, in the areas of:LeadershipWellnessEducationEquityNon-EducationalMakes Me LaughKeeps Me In The KnowShow Notes

    Episode 15: Problem Solving the Challenges of Tier 2

    Play Episode Play 59 sec Highlight Listen Later Sep 29, 2021 42:27


    In our last episode of Series 3, Maximizing Tier 2 Success, we chat with Dr. Allison Bruhn regarding the issues related to data, systems, and practices and how those items can be remedied. Some of our questions include:what are some of the common struggles related to Tier 2how do these struggles impact students, staff, and familieswhat are ways in which these struggles can be addressed and/or avoidedShow Notes

    Episode 14: Is the Intervention Working? Data and System Recommendations

    Play Episode Play 59 sec Highlight Listen Later Sep 22, 2021 36:17


    Progress monitoring, fading, and implementation fidelity are HUGE components of any intervention. In Episode 13 we looked at these pieces when it came to common practices. In today's episode, #14, we look at these same components as it relates to Data and Systems. Dr. Heather Hatton joins us once again; this time, answering the same questions as Dr. Sara McDaniel (Episode 13) but from the lens of data and systems:can't you just tell if an intervention is workingwhat's the point of intervention datahow can we monitor intervention data so that it's not overwhelming and super time consumingwhat do we do if implementation fidelity isn't happeningwhat do you do if a student isn't make progress but implementation fidelity is in placehow do you know when it's time to fade and graduate a student from an interventionShow Notes

    Episode 13: Common Practices Regarding Intervention Effectiveness

    Play Episode Play 50 sec Highlight Listen Later Sep 15, 2021 45:43


    As we continue our series on Maximizing Tier 2 Success, we chat with Dr. Sara McDaniel on common practices regarding progress monitoring, fading, and overall implementation fidelity. Some of the questions she answered included:can't you just tell if an intervention is workingwhat's the point of intervention datahow can we monitor intervention data so that it's not overwhelming and super time consumingwhat do we do if implementation fidelity isn't happeningwhat do you do if a student isn't making progress but implementation fidelity is in placehow do you know when it's time to fade and graduate a student from an interventionShow Notes

    Episode 12: Let's Talk Interventions

    Play Episode Play 60 sec Highlight Listen Later Sep 8, 2021 50:04


    We've discussed what is Tier 2, how we identify students who might need additional support, and now it's time to discuss interventions. As we continue our series on Maximizing Tier 2 Success, we speak with Dr. Deanna Maynard regarding:the difference between a support strategy and interventionhow to determine if an intervention is "research-based" or "evidence-based" and why that is importantmethods to identify what interventions are needed for your school, district, or individual studentif there is one intervention you should start with over othersthe role of support staff, classroom teachers, administrators, and district leaders in implementing interventionsstrategies to align academic and behavior intervention processesShow Notes

    Episode 11: Student Identification

    Play Episode Play 57 sec Highlight Listen Later Sep 1, 2021 54:26


    This is the second episode within our third series, Maximizing Tier 2 Success. In this episode we speak with Dr. Stephen Kilgus regarding student identification. Dr. Kilgus answers questions such as:what are the most common methods used by schools and districts to identify students that may need Tier 2 supportwhat is a "standardized identification process" and is it necessarywhat existing data might a team review as part of their identification processare standardized universal screening instruments necessaryhow does a district go about identifying a screener they needShow Notes

    Episode 10: Can We Just Start Tier 2?

    Play Episode Play 49 sec Highlight Listen Later Aug 25, 2021 52:14


    As we start our third series, Maximizing Tier 2 Success, Dr. Kelsey Morris lays the foundation of Tier 2 while we discuss:what is Tier 2is Tier 1 really all that important when it comes to Tier 2how a school or district can identify the need and readiness to implement or scale Tier 2what does scaling look likechallenges faced when planning or implementing Tier 2with more than a year of Covid, what do schools and districts need to pay attention to as students returnShow Notes

    Bonus 4: Do We Really Need an Assessment Schedule that Includes Behavior?

    Play Episode Play 59 sec Highlight Listen Later Aug 18, 2021 44:08


    In this episode we speak with Mr. Ryan Deem, Data Quality Auditor in the Ferguson-Florissant School District, regarding assessment schedules. Ryan answers questions such as:Can an academic and behavior assessment schedule/calendar be combined into one?What are the different type of assessments to be included on an assessment schedule?What do we learn from the data we collect?How does data-based decision making impact the assessment schedule?What's the connection between the assessment schedule and an Action Plan?What's the difference between a school assessment schedule and a district one?Show Notes

    Bonus 3: Is DBDM a Rock Band?

    Play Episode Play 60 sec Highlight Listen Later Aug 11, 2021 60:51


    In this bonus episode we speak with Dr. Heather Hatton regarding data based decision making, also known as DBDM, and the start of the school year. Additionally, we discuss:What is DBDMWhat can data tell us and how often should we look at itWhat data do we look at those first few weeks of schoolWhat data should be considered in regards to Tier 1 and Tier 2In relation to the pandemic, do our data sources change or stay the sameHow does DBDM impact an Action PlanWhat's the role of building administrators and District Leadership Teams when it comes to DBDMShow Notes

    Bonus 2: Back to School

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2021 32:44


    In this bonus episode we answer common questions related to the start of the school year. Some of these questions focus on:what school and district teams should be planning for right now,how to engage families and community members,recommendations on what behavior expectations to teach, andwhat conversations should be had with staff upon return.Show Notes

    Bonus 1: The Past, Present, and Future of PBIS - Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2021 33:14


    In this bonus episode we conclude our conversation with Dr. Tim Lewis  regarding the history of PBIS while discussing:the principles currently being focused on within PBIS,what makes schools, districts, states, countries, and organizations impactful when implementing PBIS,resources currently available, andwhat Dr. Lewis is most proud of and what he hopes to have accomplished in thirty years from now.Show Notes

    Bonus 1: The Past, Present, and Future of PBIS - Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2021 42:23


    In this bonus episode we speak with Dr. Tim Lewis on the history of PBIS while discussing:how PBIS came about and what the purpose and intent was,what learning occurred in each phase of PBIS and how it has impacted education,the actual acronym..."is it PBS, PBIS, MTSS?",and the "framework", what does that mean and what does it look like.The conversation was so rich that we split our interview into two episodes; this specific episode is Part 1 of Bonus 1.Show Notes

    Episode 9: Wellness in relation to Opinions, Climate and Culture

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2021 56:06


    In this episode we speak with Dr. Rhonda Nese on Mental Health and Wellness and the impact it has on climate and culture while discussing:strategies to ensure school culture reflects the community,the role of empathy in respecting others opinions,teaching students how to develop informed opinions, and ways to check ourselves for bias when teaching social and/or political content.Show Notes

    Episode 8: Social Media Influence, Fact Checking, and our Wellness

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2021 48:03


    In this episode we speak with Mrs. Tricia Diebold, a district Coordinator of Planning and Development, regarding Social Media and its impact on Mental Health and Wellness . We discuss methods to be an informed social media user, learn strategies to ensure accessibility, and identify opportunities for social skill development.Show Notes

    Episode 7: Discussing/Responding to Stressful Events with Students

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2021 39:00


    In this episode we chat with Mrs. Rio Corbin, a school psychologist, on strategies to support and partner with students and families during stressful events while also sharing methods leadership can take to aid in this process.Show Notes

    Episode 6: Managing Mental Health and Wellness

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2021 42:37


    Our second series focuses on Mental Health and Wellness. Mrs. Jamie Grieshaber defines these terms, their impact on students, staff and families, while sharing strategies to help us find "balance".Show Notes

    Episode 5: Reinforcement in Secondary Settings

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2021 38:59


    In this episode we speak with Mr.  Justin Colbert, a high school principal, on how a reinforcement system was developed through the commitment of staff members and its impact on the school community.Show Notes

    Episode 4: Schedules of Reinforcement and Monitoring Use

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2021 35:26


    In this episode we chat with Dr. Shanna Hirsch about what schedules of reinforcement can look like, how to set it up, why it's important, and methods to monitor the use of reinforcement.Quote from Dr. Hirsch in this episode:"Reinforcement is one of the most important tools teachers and adults can use to support students' behavior."Show Notes

    Episode 2: Reinforcement and Bribing Students

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2021 42:52


    Dr. Tim Lewis, Co-Director from the Center on PBIS and Professor at the University of Missouri, discusses reinforcement and bribery as it relates to behavior.Quotes from Dr. Lewis in this episode:"I would live to take the term 'reward' and chuck it.""The issue of reward and bribing is just misunderstood."Show Notes

    Episode 3: General Praise vs. Positive Specific Feedback

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2021 32:35


    In this episode with speak with Mrs. LeDominique Rhodes, Teacher/Instructional Leader/Coach, regarding the importance of feedback and its impact on culture, climate, and relationships.Show Notes

    Episode 1: What's the Why?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2021 9:14


    What The Educator's Blueprint podcast is about and why you should listen.

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