Podcasts about ixl

Meet Jeremy Kidd & Brad Mullins--Principals in the amazing Laurel County School District in Eastern Kentucky. Jeremy is the Principal at South Laurel HS, and Brad is the Principal at Hazel Green Elementary--both established and respected leaders in their school communities and families! Join us LIVE tonight at 7 pm EST as we talk leadership, life--AND KICKING OFF SCHOOL for the 25-26 school year at Laurel SchoolsThis podcast is sponsored by IXL Personalized Learning. IXL is used by more than 1 million teachers each day. It is also the most widely used online learning and teaching platform for K-12. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/ELBIXL

The Ruckus Report Quick take: From pushing a broom to leading the boardroom — Dr. Chris Jackson's journey from custodian to principal at his own alma mater proves that grit, humility, and authentic community connection matter more than pedigree when transforming schools. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Chris Jackson rose from custodian to administrator in his hometown of San Bernardino, fueled by hard work, family, and perseverance. A husband, father, and lifelong learner, he overcame personal loss and humble beginnings to inspire others. Raised by his grandmother after being born to teen parents, Chris worked his way through every level of education — from custodian to teacher, coach, instructional coach, athletic director, and eventually principal of Cajon High School, where he met his wife as a 15-year-old student. Author of "From Broom to Boardroom," Chris's journey proves that with grit, purpose, and love, anyone can rise, no matter where they start. Breaking Down the Old Rules

In a world that constantly pushes us to hustle harder and do more, this week's conversation is a breath of fresh air. I sat down with the wise and grace-filled Kari Kampakis, and she reminded us of something so important: sometimes the most faithful thing we can do is make peace with accomplishing less in a day.As parents, it's easy to feel like we need to keep up with everything: our careers, commitments, expectations, and a perfectly run household. But what if slowing down is actually the bravest and most obedient thing we can do? Kari gives us permission to step back, breathe, and create space for the things that really matter.Here are four takeaways from our conversation:How doing less can actually strengthen your parenting and your peaceWhy margin in your schedule creates more room for spiritual growthWays to listen to God's leading in the pace of your family lifeThe freedom that comes when you stop chasing “shoulds” and start embracing “enough”Kari Kampakis is a mom of four daughters, a bestselling author, speaker, and host of The Girl Mom Podcast. Her books, including Love Her Well and More Than a Mom, have encouraged countless women to parent with purpose, grace, and deep faith. Kari's message is always full of wisdom and grounded in truth and this conversation is no different.I hope this episode helps you take a deep breath and remember: you don't have to do it all to be a faithful parent.(00:00) Introduction to Parenting Dynamics(03:08) Navigating the Challenges of Modern Parenting(05:58) Building Lifelong Relationships with Our Children(08:47) The Importance of Connection in Parenting(12:07) Embracing Imperfection in Parenting(16:24) Embracing Vulnerability in Parenting(17:16) Navigating Big Emotions(18:40) Understanding Adolescent Emotional Development(20:32) Staying Grounded as a Parent(24:01) Connecting Before Correcting(27:32) Self-Care for Moms(30:00) Modeling Healthy Behaviors for Future GenerationsConnect with KariKariKampakis.comInstagramGirl Mom podcastResources MentionedKari's booksRaising Kind Daughters episode on The Christian Parenting PodcastChristian Parenting resourcesA Great Cloud of Witnesses prayer journalThe Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.orgOur Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.com* Check out Mr. Pen and use my code CPPODCAST10 for a great deal: https://mrpen.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

***Link to FREE Conversation Planning Guide***Show Title: This is Going to be Difficult with Erika Bare and Tiffany BurnsPower Quote: “Remember the stated issue is often not the real issue.”Description:Today's show is fun, interesting, and full of useful tips. I love how we discuss big concepts and then get into the nitty-gritty. If you've ever dreaded having a difficult conversation, today's episode is for you. There are so many thing worth reflecting on in here, I encourage you to pause the episode and take time to think about how some of the key ideas apply to specific scenarios in your life. And, stay tuned to the end of the episode for a special tool available only to podcast listeners!Sponsor Spot 1:Before we get started, I'd like to thank Kaleidoscope Adventures for sponsoring today's show. Lots of companies can help you organize class trips, but Kaleidoscope helps you organize adventures – because isn't that what student trips should be? Kaleidscope is a full-service tour company offering a range of adventure opportunities and they excel at customizing trips based on your unique context, needs, and goals. Kaleidoscope offers exceptional travel experiences for students (and their group leaders). Thinking about student travel? Reach out to Kaleidoscope using the link in the show notes.Guest Bio:Erika Bare has been an educator for over 20 years, currently serving as the Superintendent in the South Umpqua School District in Oregon. A special education teacher by training, she is passionate about supporting all students through individual supports to reach their limitless potential. Tiffany Burns loves working with kids. In her two decades in education, she taught elementary, middle, and high school students. Tiffany has been an administrator since 2012 and an elementary school principal for the past nine years. This year, she is on a professional sabbatical, teaching university pre-service teachers, while also connecting with educators across the nation, helping to grow the Connected Communicator Movement. Together they wrote Connecting Through Conversation: A Playbook for Talking with Students.Warmup questions:We always like to start with a celebration. What are you celebrating today?Is there a story that will help listeners understand why you are doing what you do?Questions/Topics/PromptsWhat constitutes a difficult conversation? (Are there specific categories?)Is there a clear framework to help leaders think about these conversations?What are the “best practices” of having difficult conversations?What are a couple key techniques?Closing questions:What part of your own leadership are you still trying to get better at?If listeners could take just one thing away from today's podcast, what would it be?Before we go, is there anything else that you'd like to share with our listeners?Where can people learn more about you and your work…Sponsorship:I want to thank IXL for sponsoring this podcast…Everyone talks about the power of data-driven instruction. But what does that actually look like? Look no further than IXL, the ultimate online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. IXL gives you meaningful insights that drive real progress, and research can prove it. Studies across 45 states show that schools who use IXL outperform other schools on state tests. Educators who use IXL love that they can easily see how their school is performing in real-time to make better instructional decisions. And IXL doesn't stop at just data. IXL also brings an entire ecosystem of resources for your teachers, with a complete curriculum, personalized learning plans, and so much more. It's no wonder that IXL is used in 95 of the top 100 school districts. Ready to join them? Visit http://ixl.com/assistant to get started.SummaryThe process: Reflection on self, preparation, flow, concludingAre you okay?“The story I'm telling myself” and recognizing our stories are often wrong.Be humble – sometimes we are wrong.Getting better is work and takes resources, and Erika and Tiffany are happy to help you…CloseGuest links:www.connectingthroughconversation.comOnline course discount: ctcpodcasthttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090370647418&mibextid=LQQJ4dInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/connectingthroughconversation/Linked In Erika Bare http://linkedin.com/in/erika-bare-6a72a6215Linkedin Tiffany Burns http://linkedin.com/in/tiffany-burns-90a50a274Twitter https://twitter.com/CTCPlaybook.comYoutube https://www.youtube.com/@CTCPlaybookFrederick's Links:Email: frederick@frederickbuskey.comWebsite: https://www.frederickbuskey.com/ LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/strategicleadershipconsulting Daily Email subscribe: https://adept-experimenter-3588.ck.page/fdf37cbf3a The Strategic Leader's Guide to Reclaiming Purpose: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CWRS2F6N?ref_=pe_93986420_774957520

In today's episode, Sarah shares two things that made her (tough) week, and then answers 6 questions from the August Q&A collection!Topics include:- Can you use Apple Notes to include attachments + graphics- Big projects: fewer longer sessions, or consistent shorter ones?- Ideal week during the newborn phase: yay or nay, and suggestions for an alternative if not?- Are there circumstances where a 'work specific' planner can make sense?- Work & rest-of-life planning sessions: separate or together?- How long does it take to implement the routines of the nested planning sessions?Get your questions to Sarah and you may hear the answers on a future episode! Email at sarah hart unger @ gmail or leave a comment on the show notes at theshubox.com.Remember the newsletter comes out at the start of each month -- we're close to September, so sign up at theshubox.com/newsletter to receive it! Episode Sponsors IXL: Learning doesn't have to stop in the summer!  Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ixl.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.  Green Chef: Make this summer your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠greenchef.com/50BESTLAID⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code 50BESTLAID to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping. PrepDish: Healthy menu plans and prep instruction to take the mental load out of dinner!   Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PrepDish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for your first 2 weeks, FREE.   Mint Mobile:  Affordable unlimited wireless!  Get your new customer offer and your 3-month Unlimited wireless plan for $15 a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Transformative Principal, host Jethro Jones sits down with K.C. Knudson, MTSS Coordinator at the Northwest Educational Service District, to explore the critical distinction between coaching and evaluation in education. Drawing on research and real-world experience, K.C. shares why 98% of teachers need coaching—not evaluation—and how shifting from a culture of grading to one of growth can transform schools. The conversation covers the pitfalls of traditional evaluation systems, the power of collective efficacy, and practical strategies for principals to foster collaborative, learner-centered environments. Listeners will gain actionable insights on building effective teams, de-privatizing instructional practice, and making professional learning communities truly impactful.Coaching vs. EvaluationPennsylvania training and assistance networkPennsylvania data - 98% of teachers are rated proficientGrow vs. Grade - 98% of your staff want to grow and get better. Gates foundation spent $212 Million to state that teacher evaluations do not provide meaningful growth, retain teachers, or help with student achievementWashington - research-based evaluation - targeted vs. comprehensive evaluationNeed to teach our principals how to coach more effectively. Don't spend a lot of time talking about quality instructionPrecision over profusion - trying to add more seat time is profusionWhat do we need our teachers to be really good at. Instructional floor - Anthony MuhammedWe've got to be good at our craft to get to the student learning part of it. Learner objectives - produce kids that know how to be seen and heard, how to function, how to thrive in the world. The Principal is PrincipleSchools change life trajectoriesCommunity Creates EquityPrincipal as the center of a wagon wheel vs. the principal as a node of a networkSupportive leadership in the service of empowered teachersHow to be a transformative principal? Deprivatize teaching: Sit down for 30 minutes and do a teams audit: When do I have people sitting down and focusing on student learning?About K.C. KnudsonK. C. Knudson is currently the MTSS Coordinator at the Northwest Educational Service District. Prior to this role, he served as a Senior Educational Consultant, where he focused on facilitating the establishment of inclusive classrooms, schools, and districts to effectively cater to the diverse needs of all students. This work is deeply rooted in the strategic utilization of the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) guidelines and the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework. K. C. has extensive experience in providing professional learning, coaching, and technical assistance specifically aimed at supporting the implementation of inclusive practices using UDL and MTSS. His background in education leadership includes significant roles such as Director of Teaching and Learning, Assistant Superintendent, Executive Director, Principal, Assistant Principal, and Teacher. Join the Transformative Mastermind Today and work on your school, not just in it. Apply today. We're thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments

The Ruckus Report Quick take: Two beards, two red hats, one mission to blow up education's broken boundaries. Mitch Weathers reveals why saying "no" to district busywork and "yes" to what actually moves the needle isn't rebellion — it's leadership. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Mitch became a gifted teacher because he was a mediocre student. Mitch rarely felt comfortable in the classroom. In fact, it took him 7 years to graduate from college. Choosing to become a teacher, Mitch was fortunate enough to experience school as if it was happening all around him. He was unsure how to jump into his learning with confidence. There is a loneliness to experiencing your education as a passive object as opposed to an active subject. From the moment he entered the classroom, Mitch relied on his personal experiences as a learner. He recognized that what we teach—the content or curriculum—is secondary. We must first lay the foundation for learning before we can get to teaching. Mitch designed Organized Binder to empower teachers with a simple but research-backed strategy to teach students executive functioning skills while protecting the time needed for content instruction. The secret is found in establishing a predictable learning routine that serves to foster safer learning spaces. When students get practice with executive functions by virtue, we set them up for success. Learn more in his recent book Executive Functions for Every Classroom. Breaking Down the Old Rules

Every time I give a session on executive functioning, I have clinicians and teachers ask me the same thing:“How can I motivate students who don't seem to care or don't want to try new things?”Or something like “How can I convince students why this (insert task) is going to be important to them in the future?”The short answer is that you don't “convince” them of anything. At least not in the moment. Instead, you create the experiences and opportunities that are going to help the student acquire the skills, experience the consequences, and develop the confidence to deal with uncertainty/unfamiliar situations. When students appear resistant to try things, or seem to “not learn from past mistakes”, this can often be tied to weak episodic memory. Episodic memory—the ability to see a mental picture of a past event, allows students to think back on past experiences and use them to prepare for the future. When you struggle to do this, it's difficult to recall past mistakes or feedback in the moment. It's also difficult to think back on past experiences when you might have done something well, which may make you feel less prepared for tasks that are challenging or less familiar. This may cause nervousness or resistance toward difficult tasks if you can't “see” back into the past (episode memory) or think into the future to know what you should be doing now (future pacing). Unfortunately, on the surface, this may look like defiance, apathy, or lack of motivation. That's why in fourth episode in my “Five Skills to Create Your Executive Functioning Intervention Framework”, I discuss the fourth skill: Episodic Memory What I'll uncover in this episode:✅ The critical role episodic memory plays in executive functioning: applying prior knowledge, anticipating consequences, and adjusting behavior.✅ How difficulties with episodic memory impact a student's confidence and willingness to try new things, or their persistence with challenging tasks. ✅ Why episodic memory interacts with other executive functioning skills, including future pacing, time perception, and self-talk.In this episode, I mentioned my free training for school leaders who want to create a research-based executive functioning implementation plan for their school teams. You can sign up for the training here: https://drkarendudekbrannan.com/efleadership We're thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments

Hey Friends,What does it really mean to build a strong family? Not a perfect one, but one grounded in love, grace, and connection? That's exactly what we're digging into this week on the podcast. I'm joined by the wonderful Jessica Smartt, and this conversation is the cozy encouragement every parent needs right now.From navigating sibling squabbles to embracing the uniqueness of your kids, Jessica brings both wisdom and warmth. If your heart feels weary or your home feels chaotic, I promise this episode will feel like a deep breath and a much-needed hug.Here are four takeaways from our conversation:Why embracing your kids' personalities makes space for stronger connectionThe role of prayer in anchoring your home in peaceHow to guide sibling dynamics with grace (not just control!)Ways to cultivate a home that feels safe, joyful, and full of belongingJessica is a homeschooling mom of three, speaker, and author of several books including her newest release, Come On Home: Building a Home That Welcomes and Strengthens Your Family. With a relatable, heartfelt voice, Jessica shares from her own family life, encouraging moms to press into the everyday moments that matter most.If you've ever needed a reminder that strong families are built, not born, this episode is for you.With Love, StephResources MentionedA Great Cloud of Witnesses prayer journalThe Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.orgOur Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.com* Check out Mr. Pen and use my code CPPODCAST10 for a great deal: https://mrpen.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

If there is a theme running through the late summer podcast episodes, it's this: listen to your teachers. Everything becomes easier when we listen. Today, two former beginning teachers of the year help us elaborate on the why and how of listening.Sponsor Spot 1:I'd like to thank Kaleidoscope Adventures for sponsoring today's show. Lots of companies can help you organize class trips, but Kaleidoscope helps you organize adventures – because isn't that what student trips should be? Kaleidscope is a full-service tour company offering a range of adventure opportunities and they excel at customizing trips based on your unique context, needs, and goals. Kaleidoscope offers exceptional travel experiences for students (and their group leaders). Thinking about student travel? Reach out to Kaleidoscope using the link in the show notes.Show IntroGuest Bio:Natalia Mejia is the NCCAT 2023 Empower NC Beginning Teacher of the Year. She entered education to increase teacher diversity and holds degrees from UNC Charlotte, including a Masters in Latin American Studies. Having studied abroad in South Africa and Germany, she teaches multilingual students with a global philosophy rooted in Ubuntu ("I am, because we are") and the Mayan expression In Lak'ech ("You are my other me"). Natalia has co-authored two book chapters about her South African research and co-founded the nonprofits 49ers for Puerto Rico and Knit-Together Prana.Xavier Adams is the NCCAT 2022 Prudential NC Beginning Teacher of the Year. Known as Mr. Xavier to his students, he teaches World History, Honors African American Studies, Honors Latin American Studies, and AP African American Studies at Orange High School in Hillsborough, NC. He also leads the school's teacher-equity team, student-equity team, and Minority Achievers Program.His pedagogical approach centers on using historical understanding to create a better world today. Xavier has co-presented with students at venues including the National Governors Association and North Carolina's General Assembly, and helped students publish op-eds. He holds two master's degrees from Duke University, and is quickly becoming a notable author on multiple education topics.Warmup questions:We always like to start with a celebration. What are you celebrating today?Is there a story that will help listeners understand why you are doing what you do?Questions/Topics/PromptsPrequel: The three questions:What is your teaching superpower?What is the biggest difference between who you are now as a teaching and who you were when you began?What is one thing you wish your students would do differently?Part 1Thinking back, what was the most challenging thing about your first few years teaching and what could/did your APs do to help?Are there things you did not know, but which others seemed to assume you did knew>Thoughts on how APs can accelerate the growth of their ECTs (early career teacher)?Anything else regarding ECTs?Part 2It feels like a disempowering time right now. Last week I had Elena Aguilar as a guest and she talked about how disempowering a time this is. There are so many ways that people - young and old - are being told they don't matter, aren't relevant, have no power, and, worst of all, don't belong. The most obvious and egregious arena is politics and society, but social media, the economics, and the climate also make us feel small. Elena talked about how listening, and asking questions that put agency into the answerer's hands, were tangible ways to communicate to people they matter. I hope all our listeners will embrace that idea that we can use questions and listening to increase agency. I'd love to have a discussion around this  - as it applies to all of us, students, families, teachers, admins. What's your take?What questions can we be asking?How do we return agency to teachers and students?We are all North Carolinians, a state with a Democratic Governor and almost a supermajority Republican Legislature. As in many other states, there has been a lot of legislative activity aimed at chilling discourse in classrooms, especially as it relates to history. The bills have not become laws, but there is a chilling effect nonetheless. It is a scary time to cling to our authenticity and to push the edge of our teaching. How do you nurture your own strength?How do you nurture student agency?What can school leaders do to foster courage and authenticity in their teachers?Sponsor Spot 3:I want to thank IXL for sponsoring this podcast…Everyone talks about the power of data-driven instruction. But what does that actually look like? Look no further than IXL, the ultimate online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. IXL gives you meaningful insights that drive real progress, and research can prove it. Studies across 45 states show that schools who use IXL outperform other schools on state tests. Educators who use IXL love that they can easily see how their school is performing in real-time to make better instructional decisions. And IXL doesn't stop at just data. IXL also brings an entire ecosystem of resources for your teachers, with a complete curriculum, personalized learning plans, and so much more. It's no wonder that IXL is used in 95 of the top 100 school districts. Ready to join them? Visit ixl.com/assistant to get started.Closing questions:What part of your own leadership are you still trying to get better at?If listeners could take just one thing away from today's podcast, what would it be?Before we go, is there anything else that you'd like to share with our listeners?Where can people learn more about you and your work…Sponsor Spot 4:Before we wrap, I'd like to thank Kaleidoscope Adventures for sponsoring today's show. Lots of companies can help you organize class trips, but Kaleidoscope helps you organize adventures – because isn't that what student trips should be? Kaleidscope is a full-service tour company offering a range of adventure opportunities and they excel at customizing trips based on your unique context, needs, and goals. Kaleidoscope offers exceptional travel experiences for students (and their group leaders). Thinking about student travel? Reach out to Kaleidoscope using the link in the show notes.Summary/wrap upAsk your teachers what they need (same message as last week)Build connectionsAffirm their valueProtect them (give them the power to not self-censor)Thank you to our sponsors!IXL: https://www.ixl.com/assistant Kaleidoscope Adventures: https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com/the-assistant-principal-podcast-kaleidoscope-adventures/

If you've ever been curious about how you can leverage your planning and organizing skills to help you save money, this episode is for you, especially if yo love to travel. Kathleen Paley is a litigator, mother of 2, and podcast host who loves saving and having fun with her family. She joins Sarah today to share her top 5 strategies for traveling on credit card points -- everything from which cards to start with, how to maximize point earnings, and how to spend most cost-effectively.Please note: neither Sarah nor Kathleen are affiliated with any of the companies mentioned on the episode, and these strategies should only be employed if you are paying credit card balances off in full every month -- otherwise they will cost you money rather than offer savings!Kathleen can be found at the Reframe Podcast and The Minimalish Mom on IG. Episode Sponsors IXL: Learning doesn't have to stop in the summer!  Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ixl.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.  Green Chef: Make this summer your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠greenchef.com/50BESTLAID⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code 50BESTLAID to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping. PrepDish: Healthy menu plans and prep instruction to take the mental load out of dinner!   Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PrepDish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for your first 2 weeks, FREE.   Mint Mobile:  Affordable unlimited wireless!  Get your new customer offer and your 3-month Unlimited wireless plan for $15 a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Transformative Principal, host Jethro Jones interviews Kristian Golick, founder of EduCreative, about how schools can stand out by uncovering and communicating their unique culture and emotional truth. They discuss the importance of storytelling in school marketing, the process of identifying a school's key differentiator, and how a clear, emotionally resonant message attracts both families and staff who are the right fit. Kristian shares insights on the value of external perspective, the impact of belonging and engagement on students, and practical steps for principals to start collecting stories that define their school's identity. The episode emphasizes that when a school's message is clear and authentic, it fosters community, increases enrollment, and creates a virtuous cycle of pride and participation among students, staff, and families.Culture is just another word for reputationHow do you figure out what the key differentiator of your school. Tell me a time when you were so proud to work at your school.Emotions and key ideasKids will love school - Why?Your school is creating a sense of belonging in your students and families. Where kids want to congregate, rather than have to congregate. How having a good vision for your school helps recruit teachersIt can be hard to see what is good in your school when you're in the thick of itAnything created is a representation of your school's experience. How to be a transformative principal? What's an amazing thing that happened this week?About Kristian GolickAt EduCreative, we help schools stop sounding like everyone else. Most schools talk about programs and preparation—but parents don't choose schools based on that. They choose based on connection. We uncover the emotional truth behind what makes your school different, and turn that into strategic, story-driven video content, that resonates with the right families. Because when your message is clear and your story connects, enrollment follows. Join the Transformative Mastermind Today and work on your school, not just in it. Apply today. We're thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments

Get the book, Acceleration for All: A How-To Guide for Overcoming Learning Gaps About The Authors Sharon Kramer, PhD, knows firsthand the demands and rewards of working in a professional learning community (PLC). As a leader in the field, she has done priority schools work with districts across the United States, emphasizing the importance of creating and using quality assessments and utilizing the PLC continuous-improvement process to raise student achievement. Sharon served as assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction of Kildeer Countryside Community Consolidated School District 96 in Illinois. In this position, she ensured all students were prepared to enter Adlai E. Stevenson High School, a Model PLC started and formerly led by PLC architect Richard DuFour. Sharon holds a PhD in educational leadership and policy studies from Loyola University Chicago. To learn more about Sharon's work, follow @DrKramer1 on Twitter.   Sarah Schuhl (Shool), MS, is an educational coach and consultant specializing in mathematics, professional learning communities (PLCs), common formative and summative assessments, priority school improvement, and response to intervention (RTI). She has worked in schools as a secondary mathematics teacher, high school instructional coach, and K–12 mathematics specialist. Schuhl was instrumental in the creation of a PLC in the Centennial School District in Oregon, helping teachers make large gains in student achievement. She earned the Centennial School District Triple C Award in 2012. She holds a bachelor of science in mathematics from Eastern Oregon University and a master of science in mathematics education from Portland State University.   This episode of Principal Center Radio is sponsored by IXL, the most widely used online learning and teaching platform for K-12. Discover the power of data-driven instruction in your school with IXL—it gives you everything you need to maximize learning, from a comprehensive curriculum to meaningful school-wide data. Visit IXL.com/center to lead your school towards data-driven excellence today.   

  The Ruckus Report Quick take: The most dangerous myth in school leadership is that problems will eventually stop. Jennifer Schwanke reveals how embracing challenges and shifting from "trustworthy" to "trust willing" transforms toxic school cultures into thriving communities. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Jennifer Schwanke, Ed.D., brings nearly three decades of experience to the field of education, having served as both a teacher and leader across all levels. She is a published author with ASCD, including four current books and a forthcoming fifth title, "Trusted: Trust Pillars, Trust Killers, and the Secret to Successful Schools," expected in the summer of 2025. In addition to her books, Jennifer has contributed hundreds of articles to numerous educational publications. She is actively involved in professional development, offering her expertise to school districts in areas such as school climate, personnel management, and instructional leadership. She is also a frequent presenter at major educational conferences, including those hosted by ASCD, NAESP, NASSP, AASA, and various state and national organizations. Jennifer shares her insights as the co-host of the widely listened-to "Principal Matters" podcast and as an instructor in educational administration at The Ohio State University. Currently, Dr. Schwanke serves as a Deputy Superintendent in Ohio. Breaking Down the Old Rules

Students with executive functioning challenges often intend to complete tasks or meet expectations—but struggle to execute consistently. The reason? They aren't mentally envisioning future scenarios, predicting the steps needed to reach a goal, and thinking about what they need to be doing NOW in order to meet that goal. This cognitive skill, called future pacing, allows students to visualize the process and outcome of their actions, building a critical link between planning and follow-through.In the third episode in my “Five Skills to Create Your Executive Functioning Intervention Framework”, I break it down in detail. What I'll uncover in this episode:✅ What future pacing is—and why it's essential for supporting goal-directed behavior and flexible thinking.✅ How future pacing interacts with skills like time perception, self-talk, and episodic memory.✅ Why students with executive functioning deficits often struggle to anticipate obstacles, sequence steps, or understand how present actions impact future outcomes.✅ Practical ways to teach students how to mentally rehearse tasks—bridging the gap between knowing what to do and actually doing it.✅ How building future pacing into interventions improves self-regulation, motivation, and task persistence.In this episode, I mentioned my upcoming free live virtual training hosted by Parallel Learning that's coming up on August 14, 2025 from 6:30-8:00 PM EST. It's called “Executive Functioning: Beyond Checklists and Planners”. You'll earn a free CEU, get to learn about a company that offers remote work opportunities, and get to learn some of the concepts I teach in my paid programs. You can sign up for the training here: https://parallellearning-20474008.hs-sites.com/ashakickoffwebinar25?utm_source=partnership&utm_medium=partner_karen_dudek&utm_campaign=webinar_ashadrkaren_8.14.2025&utm_content=blankI also mentioned my free training for school leaders who want to create a research-based executive functioning implementation plan for their school teams. You can sign up for the training here: https://drkarendudekbrannan.com/efleadership We're thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments

Have you ever wondered how to talk to your kids about justice in a way that's rooted in Scripture and lived out with compassion? This week's conversation is one that will both equip and encourage you. I'm joined by Elisa Johnston and we're talking all about raising kids who care deeply about others and live out their faith in practical ways.This episode isn't about having all the answers, it's about taking small, faithful steps toward raising kids who see the needs of the world and respond with the love of Jesus.Here are four key takeaways from our conversation:How to help your kids develop compassion that leads to actionWhy biblical justice starts with seeing others the way God doesPractical ideas for making justice part of your family's daily rhythmsHow to guide kids through cultural conversations with truth and graceElisa is a mom of four, a passionate justice advocate, and the author of Justice-Minded Kids: Bite-Size Challenges to Empower Kids to Practice Justice, Compassion, and Love. Through her writing and work, she helps families build a lifestyle of justice that starts at home and extends into the world. Her work invites parents and kids alike to walk humbly, love deeply, and live boldly in their faith.Whether you're just beginning this journey or have been in it for a while, I hope this episode gives you the tools and encouragement you need to keep going.00:00 Introduction and Background02:57 Balancing Family and Work06:13 Raising Justice-Minded Kids09:09 Understanding Justice in a Biblical Context11:57 Practical Steps for Families15:07 The Kindness Quest Challenge17:57 Navigating Challenges in Kindness Initiatives19:15 Teaching Kids to Respond to Injustice25:15 Equipping Parents for Justice-Minded Parenting29:01 Practical Lessons for Raising Justice-Minded Kids33:01 Encouragement for Parents on the JourneyConnect with Elisa:InstagramWebsiteResources Mentioned:Justice Minded Kids bookClear Focus Bible for KidsA Great Cloud of Witnesses prayer journalChristian Parenting resourcesSchool SimplifiedThe Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.orgOur Sponsors:* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code CPPODCAST for a great deal: https://happymammoth.com* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.com* Check out Mr. Pen and use my code CPPODCAST10 for a great deal: https://mrpen.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Description:Before recording this episode, I was very uncertain about how it would come out. Identifying strategies for doing professional development on the cheap had the potential to be disjointed and unactionable. Thankfully, I love how this discussion came out. There are some coherent themes running through the show, and doing great PD with few resources isn't actually that difficult. But before we dig in…Sponsor Spot 1: Are you ready to plan your next school trip? Kaleidoscope Adventures has been planning exceptional student travel for more than 30 years. They know which destinations, activities, and attractions are perfect for your students! Contact the experts at Kaleidoscope by clicking the link in the show – and then let them work their magic! They'll handle all the details from start to finish so all you have to do is enjoy the experience! Kaleidoscope Adventures….. travel beyond expectations! Link is in the show notes! Show IntroGuest Bio:Michele Mattoon has served as executive director of the National School Reform Faculty (NSRF) since 2010, working with schools and educators nationally and internationally to implement Critical Friends trainings and collaborative learning initiatives. A national facilitator for over 25 years and CFG coach since 1996, she has developed numerous protocols and co-edited "Protocols for All" and recent CFG training handbooks.Before joining NSRF, Michele taught for over 20 years and served as elementary coordinator at Harmony School. She received the Hoosier Educator Award (2000) and Dorothy Johnson Award for Excellence in Education (2001). Michele also owns Coltrain Group, providing Facilitative Leadership training to businesses and organizations.Warmup questions:We always like to start with a celebration. What are you celebrating today?Is there a story that will help listeners understand why you are doing what you do?Questions/Topics/PromptsRich PD on pauper's wagesFocus on the most important thing (understand what problem you are trying to solve and why it is a problem)Increase differentiation for individuals and empower them to be responsible for their learning How to get maximum value from external trainers and trainingsHow to leverage internal resources (including teachers)How to ethically use stuff from external sourcesSponsor Spot 2:I want to thank IXL for sponsoring this podcast…Everyone talks about the power of data-driven instruction. But what does that actually look like? Look no further than IXL, the ultimate online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. IXL gives you meaningful insights that drive real progress, and research can prove it. Studies across 45 states show that schools who use IXL outperform other schools on state tests. Educators who use IXL love that they can easily see how their school is performing in real-time to make better instructional decisions. And IXL doesn't stop at just data. IXL also brings an entire ecosystem of resources for your teachers, with a complete curriculum, personalized learning plans, and so much more. It's no wonder that IXL is used in 95 of the top 100 school districts. Ready to join them? Visit ixl.com/assistant to get started.Closing questions:What part of your own leadership are you still trying to get better at?If listeners could take just one thing away from today's podcast, what would it be?Before we go, is there anything else that you'd like to share with our listeners?Where can people learn more about you and your work…Summary/wrap upKnow your people! It all begins here.Leverage expertiseFollow up!Provide the structuresSponsor Spot 5:Thank you to our sponsors!IXL: https://www.ixl.com/assistant Kaleidoscope Adventures: https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com/the-assistant-principal-podcast-kaleidoscope-adventures/Michele's links:Facebook > facebook.com/NationalSchoolReformFaculty  Threads (new) > (logs in with FB) threads.net/@nsrfharmonyInstagram > @NSRFharmonyhttps://instagram.com/nsrfharmonyLinkedIN > linkedin.com/company/NSRF/Frederick's Links:Email: frederick@frederickbuskey.comWebsite: https://www.frederickbuskey.com/ LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/strategicleadershipconsulting Daily Email subscribe: https://adept-experimenter-3588.ck.page/fdf37cbf3a The Strategic Leader's Guide to Reclaiming Purpose: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CWRS2F6N?ref_=pe_93986420_774957520

In today's episode, Sarah shares her thoughts on 5 aspects of life to reflect on (other than planners!) as you head into the back-to-school season, whatever that means for you. She provides a detailed overview of routines to think through / audit / consider tweaking, and then discusses sleep, communication strategies, mood management, and fun. Share your favorite planners for kids/teens or best communication strategies with Sarah - email sarah.hart.unger@gmail.com or leave a comment at the show notes on theshubox.com! Episode Sponsors IXL: Learning doesn't have to stop in the summer!  Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠ixl.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠.  Green Chef: Make this summer your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠greenchef.com/50BESTLAID⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code 50BESTLAID to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping. PrepDish: Healthy menu plans and prep instruction to take the mental load out of dinner!   Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠PrepDish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠ for your first 2 weeks, FREE.   Mint Mobile:  Affordable unlimited wireless!  Get your new customer offer and your 3-month Unlimited wireless plan for $15 a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The King's trusted dog, Rollo, has suspicions about the princess who suddenly arrived in the kingdom and is now about to marry the King. Will Rollo be able to prove the princess isn't who she says she is?Thanks to IXL for sponsoring Fairy Tales with Granny MacDuff!Make an impact on your child's learning, get IXL now. And Fairy Tales with Granny MacDuff listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ixl.com/TODAY .

In this episode, Jethro Jones welcomes Patrick Mongrain, a middle school teacher, instructional coach, and restorative justice specialist, to discuss building sustainable systems in education. Patrick shares his “Moneyball” approach—leveraging data and analytics to improve classroom instruction and teacher support. He emphasizes the importance of moving beyond quick fixes and initiative fatigue by focusing on eight key practices that create hope and clarity for educators.Moneyball - Billy Bean developed a system of analytics to make a better system. Judging people based on unimportant data and perceptions. Applying a similar approach to how we teach. Spending time in different areas that see what great things are happening all over the place. Stop throwing shiny objects at the problem. The Key Performance Indicators: Class RoutineCommunity DataCorrective FeedbackInformed SupervisionOpportunities To RespondPositive FeedbackPositive Feedback RangeStudent To Teacher TimeTeaching ExpectationSystems = hopeKnowing what to do next gives people hope. That's how systems create hope. 2% of teachers need to be evaluated, 98% of teachers need to be coached. Evaluation as a hoop to jump through. Teachers are so incredible, having an evaluation system that is so complex makes it difficult. Repeating is not the same as creating. Two injustices against teachers - evaluations Evaluation systems seem intentionally overwhelming.Initiative FatigueTrust Based Observations Edchanger Pro app - Make observations like a How to be a transformative principal? Relationships - taking the time to connect with them. Self-care is working in a system that you feel confident in. About Patrick MongrainPatrick Mongrain is a certified teacher currently serving in a TOSA role. He taught middle school history and leadership for 10 years and has spent another 10 years as a district-level instructional coach and restorative justice specialist. In his current position within the professional learning department, he divides his time evenly between teaching in classrooms, supporting school leaders in building systems, and working on district wide improvement. Patrick believes teachers are incredible, and to truly support them, we must move beyond quick fixes and do the hard work of building and sustaining systems. In this spirit, he has created a coherent instructional framework that applies a “Moneyball” approach, leveraging data and analytics on key performance indicators. He's written a book Theory Can Only Take You So Far and developed a data collection app called Edchanger Pro that brings this system to life.Contact: E-mail: pmongrain65@comcast.netWebpage: https://www.youtube.com/@EdChanger and www.EdChanger.comApp: EdChanger Pro: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/edchanger-pro/id6741165826 LinkedIn: Patrick Mongrain Join the Transformative Mastermind Today and work on your school, not just in it. Apply today. We're thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments

  The Ruckus Report Quick take: Student voice isn't just nice to have—it's the missing ingredient in creating schools worth showing up for. Casey Wright proves that when you design with students instead of around them, everything from panini lines to classroom layouts becomes a catalyst for engagement. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Casey Wright has served as an educational leader in Illinois high school districts for 30 years. He began his career teaching social studies at Rolling Meadows High School while coaching girls track and boys basketball. After spending 12 years at Highland Park High School as an administrator, Casey is currently an Associate Principal at Glenbrook South High School in Glenview, Illinois. With a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from National-Louis University and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Casey is also a member of the Illinois Association of School Business Officials. Breaking Down the Old Rules

I'm often asked if I can create an “executive functioning lesson plan” that a clinician could do within a 20-minute therapy session with a student or group of students. I understand why people ask me for things like this. This traditional “pull-out” model of therapy is what many clinicians have been taught in our preservice training, and it's often what's focused on in professional development for clinicians. This model works well for many skills. It also plays a part in executive functioning intervention. But it's not enough. Doing “executive functioning” lesson plans without some type of support plan in place for other settings would be like a soccer player doing drills and conditioning without ever playing soccer. Does the right isolated work provide support and a foundation? Yes. Is it necessary? Also yes.But is it enough on its own, without direct application in the situation when those skills will be needed? Absolutely not. I know school teams are overwhelmed, and embedding support across a students' day requires systems and collaboration that aren't often in place in many schools (yet). It's a lot to ask, but it's what needs to happen. And with the right plan, it's possible-which is what I show school leaders how to do in the School of Clinical Leadership. That's why in this second episode in my series on “Five Skills to Create Your Executive Functioning Implementation Framework”, I cover the second skill: Self TalkWhat I cover in this episode:✅ The two distinct types of self-talk: Strategy self-talk and Self-belief self-talk✅ How self-talk integrates with other executive functions like time perception, future pacing, and episodic memory✅ The connection between self-talk and principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)—and how to embed those principles into daily routines, not just therapy rooms✅ Why explicit instruction and modeling of self-talk helps students shift from reactive to proactive problem-solving✅ How deficits in self-talk can derail time management, task initiation, and flexible thinking—despite external supports✅ How to start working on self-talk with your students right away-even if you haven't built strong team collaboration systems yet.In this episode, I mentioned my upcoming free live virtual training hosted by Parallel Learning that's coming up on August 14, 2025 from 6:30-8:00 PM EST. It's called “Executive Functioning: Beyond Checklists and Planners”. You'll earn a free CEU, get to learn about a company that offers remote work opportunities, and get to learn some of the concepts I teach in my paid programs. You can sign up for the training here. I also mentioned my free training for school leaders who want to create a research-based executive functioning implementation plan for their school teams. You can sign up for the training here.  We're thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments

Have you ever felt like your kids are too bored… or maybe like you're the only one swimming upstream when it comes to slowing down family life? This episode will feel like a breath of fresh air. I'm joined by Ginny Yurich, homeschooling mom of five and founder of the Thousand Hours Outside movement and she brings the most encouraging reminder that less structure can sometimes lead to more growth.We talk about parenting with confidence in a culture that loves hustle, the value of being outside, and why you don't have to do it all to be doing it right.Here are four big takeaways from our conversation:Why boredom is not a problem to fix but a gift to embraceHow outdoor time can actually help with emotional regulation, creativity, and confidenceWhat it looks like to parent boldly without apologizing for your convictionsA beautiful reminder that just showing up is a win in homeschooling (and in parenting in general!)Ginny is a homeschooling mom of five and the founder of Thousand Hours Outside, a global movement encouraging families to spend more intentional time outdoors. She is also the author of Homeschooling, You're Doing It Right Just By Doing It and The Power of Outdoor Living for Your Child's Development. Through her writing, speaking, and advocacy, Ginny champions slower, simpler, joy-filled childhoods rooted in nature and connection.This episode will leave you feeling lighter, freer, and more grounded. I hope it blesses you like it did me.(00:00) Introduction to Christian Parenting Podcast(00:57) Meet Ginny Yurich: A Homeschooling Mom's Journey(03:50) The Benefits of Homeschooling and Outdoor Living(07:55) Navigating Parenting Pressures and School Choices(10:42) The Importance of Boredom in Child Development(18:28) Fostering Independence and Creativity in Kids(27:06) Final Thoughts on Parenting and Homeschooling Connect with GinnyFacebookInstagramResources Mentioned1000 Hours Outside1000 Hours Outside PodcastA Great Cloud of Witnesses Prayer JournalChristian Parenting ResourcesSchool SimplifiedThe Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.orgOur Sponsors:* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code CPPODCAST for a great deal: https://happymammoth.com* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.com* Check out Mr. Pen and use my code CPPODCAST10 for a great deal: https://mrpen.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Power Quote: I noticed… and I wonder…Description:Welcome to the third and final part of my interview with Elena Aguilar. Today we dive into how we can reconnect people with their sense of power – building teacher self-efficacy through reflective questions. Decades of research identifies teacher self-efficacy – the belief that what teachers do has an impact on student learning – as the bedrock for good teaching. Recent research suggest a large part of the leader's impact on student growth (which is second only to the teacher's impact) is a result of the leader's ability to build teacher self-efficacy. So, today's episode offers some essential information and techniques to unlocking teachers' potential and fulfilling your leadership purpose.Show IntroSponsor Spot 1:Being an assistant principal means that safety is a quadrant 1 activity – in your building and beyond its walls. So, when it's time for the school trip, choosing the right planning partner is absolutely critical! Kaleidoscope Adventures has been planning travel beyond expectations since 1993. The Kaleidoscope team of experts has a robust understanding of what it takes to travel with students – including safety, liability, and parent concerns. When you travel with Kaleidoscope Adventures, you can trust that your students are in good hands. If you want to learn more about Kaleidoscope Adventures, check the link in the show notes Kaleidoscope Adventures…. travel beyond expectations! Guest Bio:Elena Aguilar is a writer, leader, teacher, coach and podcaster. She is the author of eight highly acclaimed books including: The Art of Coaching, The Art of Coaching Teams, The PD Book: 7 Habits that Transform Professional Development, and the newly released Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching. She has also been a frequent contributor to Edutopia, ASCD's Educational Leadership, and EdWeek Teacher.Elena is the founder and CEO of Bright Morning Consulting, an organization committed tohelping individuals and organizations create the conditions for transformation. She has taught tens of thousands of folks how to have conversations that build a more just and equitable world. Elena can be heard demonstrating these conversations on The Bright Morning Podcast.Elena was a guest on episodes 204 and 205, June 2024, and in Parts 1 and 2 of this series, episodes 260 and 261.Questions/Topics/PromptsElena discusses it in Arise, but as part of the ACE section, and I would love to explore the idea further. What if all I did as an AP was recognize strengths?Sponsor Spot 2:I want to thank IXL for sponsoring this podcast…Everyone talks about the power of data-driven instruction. But what does that actually look like? Look no further than IXL, the ultimate online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. IXL gives you meaningful insights that drive real progress, and research can prove it. Studies across 45 states show that schools who use IXL outperform other schools on state tests. Educators who use IXL love that they can easily see how their school is performing in real-time to make better instructional decisions. And IXL doesn't stop at just data. IXL also brings an entire ecosystem of resources for your teachers, with a complete curriculum, personalized learning plans, and so much more. It's no wonder that IXL is used in 95 of the top 100 school districts. Ready to join them? Visit ixl.com/assistant to get started.Closing questions:What part of your own leadership are you still trying to get better at?If listeners could take just one thing away from today's podcast, what would it be?Before we go, is there anything else that you'd like to share with our listeners?Where can people learn more about you and your work…Summary/wrap upToday's environment: stress as disempowerment: listening and asking questions that empower the teacher to come up with the answers.Strength based coaching (my version) centers the administrator. Get back to asking questions, even as simple as 5-minute coaching.Provocative questions: “I noticed (fact)… I wonder what belief/action…?”Beliefs and ways of being: deep, vague, and real => relationships (with self and others)Delegating so I can focus on what I'm best at (and what only I can do)Slow things down!Thank you to our sponsors!IXL: https://www.ixl.com/assistant Kaleidoscope Adventures: https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com/the-assistant-principal-podcast-kaleidoscope-adventures/Elena's links:Elena's new book: Arise: The Art of Transformational CoachingSpecials for listeners:  Pre-Order Bonuses Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elena_aguilar_writer/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elena-aguilar/Book Shop: https://bookshop.org/lists/books-by-elena-aguilar/Bright Morning: https://www.brightmorningteam.com/The Bright Morning Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bright-morning-podcast-with-elena-aguilar/id1517537206Newsletter: https://www.brightmorningteam.com/resources/newsletterFrederick's Links:Email: frederick@frederickbuskey.comWebsite: https://www.frederickbuskey.com/ LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/strategicleadershipconsulting Daily Email subscribe: https://adept-experimenter-3588.ck.page/fdf37cbf3a The Strategic Leader's Guide to Reclaiming Purpose: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CWRS2F6N?ref_=pe_93986420_774957520

Sarah reviews two planners specifically designed to help those with different planning needs. First, she discusses the Order Out of Chaos Planner, designed by ADHD parent and ADDItude Magazine columnist Leslie Josel. This planner is designed for students and might be particularly helpful for those with ADHD, though it could definitely serve other students well, too! Link to the planners: https://ooocplanner.com/collections/academic-planners Second, she reviews the Fast Brain Friend Daily Productivity Planner, described as "an intentional design for the neurodivergent mind" by creator Alanah Purtell. These are Australian monthly planners with varying (and somewhat unusual!) daily layouts as well as monthly + weekly planning tools. Link to the planners: https://www.creatorsfriend.com.au/products/fast-brain-daily-productivity-planner-single For some visuals, visit the show notes at theshubox.com. IXL: Learning doesn't have to stop in the summer!  Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠ixl.com/plans⁠⁠⁠.  Green Chef: Make this summer your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Head to ⁠⁠⁠greenchef.com/50BESTLAID⁠⁠⁠ and use code 50BESTLAID to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping. PrepDish: Healthy menu plans and prep instruction to take the mental load out of dinner!   Visit ⁠⁠⁠PrepDish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠ for your first 2 weeks, FREE.   Mint Mobile:  Affordable unlimited wireless!  Get your new customer offer and your 3-month Unlimited wireless plan for $15 a month at ⁠⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, host Jethro Jones welcomes Derek Mitchell, CEO of Partners in School Innovation, to discuss the evolving role of schools post-pandemic, the importance of community partnerships, and innovative solutions to chronic challenges like truancy. Derek shares insights on leadership, the need for equity-centered school improvement, and practical strategies for principals to become transformative leaders.Hope coming out of the pandemicHoped that role that schools play would be appreciated. Schools have also made families feel less invited. Think about how to expand schools beyond their four wallsPartner with ParentsSchools aren't prepared for Truancy epidemic - See Jethro's TedX Talk about AbsenteeismPartnered with a local laundromat to put laundry in the schoolListen to the broader community. 3 reasons why adults don't do what they should to help kids learn. Skills, will, plan.How to be a transformative principal? Manage your time more strategically. 1. Plan space between things 2. Schedule blocks of time in classroomsAbout Derek MitchellDerek Mitchell has been the CEO of Partners in School Innovation since 2009. Under Derek's leadership of “Partners,” the organization has adapted to a dynamic educational landscape and grown to address an expanding need for equity-centered school improvement. Partners has joined with national funders such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and the W. Clement & Jessie V. Stone Foundation to help educators build their capacity to serve some of the most challenged communities in the United States. Along the way, Dr. Mitchell has published reflections about Partners' work in a variety of journals and blogs such as Phi Delta Kappan, EdSource, and Leadership magazine.In addition, Derek has recently been a fellow of The Gratitude Network and is currently a fellow of the Pahara Institute. He is also a member of the board of trustees for the California Academy of Sciences and for Pitzer College.Before coming to Partners, he earned a Ph.D. in educational psychology from UCLA; served as the director of technology and student achievement for the Oakland Unified School District in California; supported district-wide reform across the country for the Stupski Foundation; and was the executive director of the Opportunity Zone in Prince George's County in Maryland. Join the Transformative Mastermind Today and work on your school, not just in it. Apply today. We're thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments

Get the book, Rosenshine's Principles in Action Visit Tom's website WalkThrus.co.uk About The Author Tom Sherrington has more than 30 years of experience as a math and science teacher and headteacher in the UK and around the world. He co-hosts the podcast Mind the Gap: Making Education Work Across the Globe with Emma Turner, and consults with schools around the UK and internationally, and he is the co-founder of Teaching Walkthrus. He is the author of several books, including Rosenshine's Principles in Action.   This episode of Principal Center Radio is sponsored by IXL, the most widely used online learning and teaching platform for K-12. Discover the power of data-driven instruction in your school with IXL—it gives you everything you need to maximize learning, from a comprehensive curriculum to meaningful school-wide data. Visit IXL.com/center to lead your school towards data-driven excellence today.   

  The Ruckus Report Quick take: When 21 kids are on your roster but only 3 show up on time, you don't quit — you reinvent how learning works. Rob Barnett's journey from near-burnout to building a model that reaches 100,000+ educators proves that ditching whole-class instruction might be the best thing you can do for student achievement. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Rob Barnett is co-founder of the Modern Classrooms Project, which has empowered over 100,000 educators across 180+ countries to meet every learner's needs. A former public school math teacher who nearly quit during his first year, Rob transformed his frustration with traditional whole-class instruction into a revolutionary approach that made him fall in love with teaching again. Author of "Meet Every Learner's Needs: Redesigning Instruction so All Learners Can Succeed," Rob developed the free InstaleEson AI tool that helps teachers create blended, self-paced, mastery-based lessons in minutes. He believes every day, in every classroom, every learner should be appropriately challenged and supported. Breaking Down the Old Rules

Executive function is often defined as “having good time management skills”. While this isn't completely off-base, it's a vast oversimplification.The REASON people are good at time management is because they have the ability to estimate and sense the passage of time. Most “textbook” definitions of executive functioning don't fully call this out, and as a result many educators and clinicians have a difficult time figuring out how to design instruction and intervention that supports executive functioning. Instead of embedding support across the day, interventions get siloed in special education, or lumped into long lists of cookie cutter classroom accommodations that overwhelm general education teachers. Kids don't generalize skills from one setting to another, even though people think they're working on “time management”, and well-meaning adults find themselves giving constant “five minute warnings” as they try to help their students keep up with the pace of classroom activities or even basic functional tasks (e.g., getting things together, making transitions). Let's be honest: If “five minute warnings” were an effective method of teaching executive functioning and “time management”, we wouldn't have to be doing them constantly. What if there was a way to help kids develop these skills, so we could fade all the prompting? The good news is, there is. The first step is recognizing that the core skill we're teaching is TIME PERCEPTION. When you google a definition of executive functioning, you'll likely get a list of 8 or 9 skills. Things like attention, working memory, shifting, ideational fluency, and self-regulation. It's important for educators, clinicians, and school leaders to understand these terms and what they are, but then they need to organize these abstract cognitive skills into concrete skills that can be both taught explicitly and layered across a students' day. That's why the framework I teach organizes executive functioning into 5 areas: 1. Time perception2. Self-talk3. Future pacing4. Episodic memory5. Encoding. In this first episode of a 5-part podcast series, I discuss the first one: Time perception. In this episode, I'll reveal:✅ What “time perception” means in the context of executive functioning (beyond simply knowing how to tell time).✅ How time perception deficits interfere with task initiation, sustained attention, and task completion.✅ Why students may appear "defiant" or "unmotivated" when the real issue is inaccurate time estimation/perception.✅ How poor time perception creates barriers for following schedules, meeting deadlines, or pacing tasks appropriately.✅ Intervention principles to help build a student's internal sense of time as part of a larger EF support plan.In this episode, I mentioned my upcoming free live virtual training hosted by Parallel Learning that's coming up on August 14, 2025 from 6:30-8:00 PM EST. It's called “Executive Functioning: Beyond Checklists and Planners”. You'll earn a free CEU, get to learn about a company that offers remote work opportunities, and get to learn some of the concepts I teach in my paid programs. You can sign up for the training here. I also mentioned my free training for school leaders who want to create a research-based executive functioning implementation plan for their school teams. You can sign up for the training here.  We're thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments

If you're navigating the world of youth sports with your kids, this episode is for you. I sat down with Ed Uszynski and Brian Smith, two seasoned sports dads with decades of experience in athletics and ministry to talk about one of the biggest parenting pressures today: how do we raise kids who love sports without losing sight of their faith, values, and family life?Whether you're in the early stages of weekend games or juggling high-stakes club teams, this conversation offers so much wisdom and practical advice for keeping Jesus at the center.Here are four takeaways from our conversation:How to keep your child's identity rooted in Christ not in their performanceWhy character development > championship rings (and how to model that)Questions to ask when it's time to set boundaries or take a step backThe importance of re-centering your family's values in the middle of a busy sports seasonEd and Brian are the co-authors of Away Game: A Christian Parent's Guide to Navigating Youth Sports. With deep backgrounds in athletics, family ministry, and discipleship, they speak directly to the heart of Christian parents trying to balance competition, character, and calling. Their passion is helping families honor God both on and off the field.I'm so grateful for this timely conversation, and I hope it encourages you to lead your kids through sports with peace, confidence, and kingdom perspective.(02:49) The Youth Sports Industrial Complex(05:30) Parental Pressures and Identity in Sports(08:21) Recognizing Warning Signs as Parents(11:21) Navigating the Balance of Support and Pressure(14:06) Character Building Through Sports(17:07) The Impact of Social Media on Youth Sports(19:58) The Dangers of Specialization in Youth Sports(21:33) Integrating Faith and Sports for Holistic Development(26:00) Balancing Sports and Family Spiritual Life(28:55) Navigating Sundays: Sports vs. Church(34:41) Encouragement for Parents in the Sports LandscapeResources MentionedAway Game bookA Great Cloud of Witnesses prayer journalChristian Parenting productsAdventure BibleConnect with Ed Uszynski and Brian SmithEd Uszynski XEd Uszynsky InstagramBrian Smith InstagramThe Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.orgOur Sponsors:* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code CPPODCAST for a great deal: https://happymammoth.com* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.com* Check out Mr. Pen and use my code CPPODCAST10 for a great deal: https://mrpen.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Power Quote: Behind every action is a beliefDescription:Today we dive into part 2 of my interview with Elena Aguilar. Part 1 was a must listen and we released in back on July 1 (260). A link to that episode and my two previous episodes from 2024 are in the show notes.In part 1 we talked about listening and I hope you've been able to exercise your listening muscle over the past couple weeks, and that you followed Elena's advice to dig into your own story and beliefs around leadership and teaching.Today we'll talk about purpose – both the school's and the teachers', and how to support and grow teachers even in such a stressful and chaotic time. I love this episode because it contains a call to dig deeply into ourselves as leaders and give some very practical advice on how to help teachers. And, as with part 1, I include Elena's closing words of wisdom – a call for us to slow down. It is so critical I wanted you to hear it again.Show IntroSponsor Spot 1:Being an assistant principal means that safety is a quadrant 1 activity – in your building and beyond its walls. So, when it's time for the school trip, choosing the right planning partner is absolutely critical! Kaleidoscope Adventures has been planning travel beyond expectations since 1993. The Kaleidoscope team of experts has a robust understanding of what it takes to travel with students – including safety, liability, and parent concerns. When you travel with Kaleidoscope Adventures, you can trust that your students are in good hands. If you want to learn more about Kaleidoscope Adventures, check the link in the show notes Kaleidoscope Adventures…. travel beyond expectations! Guest Bio:Elena Aguilar is a writer, leader, teacher, coach and podcaster. She is the author of eight highly acclaimed books including: The Art of Coaching, The Art of Coaching Teams, The PD Book: 7 Habits that Transform Professional Development, and the newly released Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching. She has also been a frequent contributor to Edutopia, ASCD's Educational Leadership, and EdWeek Teacher.Elena is the founder and CEO of Bright Morning Consulting, an organization committed tohelping individuals and organizations create the conditions for transformation. She has taught tens of thousands of folks how to have conversations that build a more just and equitable world. Elena can be heard demonstrating these conversations on The Bright Morning Podcast.Elena was a guest on episodes 204 and 205, June 2024, and in Part 1 of this series, episode 260.Questions/Topics/PromptsContext: Stepping into a new school year, new leaders, new schools, new teachersIn 204, you talked about how an admin could be the person that helps teachers stay anchored to their north star… how we help people grow when they are in the midst of trauma - and is that even possible. This is particularly germane given the chaos and otherization which is so prevalent right now.Sponsor Spot 3:I want to thank IXL for sponsoring this podcast…Everyone talks about the power of data-driven instruction. But what does that actually look like? Look no further than IXL, the ultimate online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. IXL gives you meaningful insights that drive real progress, and research can prove it. Studies across 45 states show that schools who use IXL outperform other schools on state tests. Educators who use IXL love that they can easily see how their school is performing in real-time to make better instructional decisions. And IXL doesn't stop at just data. IXL also brings an entire ecosystem of resources for your teachers, with a complete curriculum, personalized learning plans, and so much more. It's no wonder that IXL is used in 95 of the top 100 school districts. Ready to join them? Visit ixl.com/assistant to get started.Closing questions:What part of your own leadership are you still trying to get better at?If listeners could take just one thing away from today's podcast, what would it be?Before we go, is there anything else that you'd like to share with our listeners?Where can people learn more about you and your work…Summary/wrap upPurpose requires knowing.Intersection between teacher and school purpose (might be harder than it should be)Can we better understand other people's stories by knowing our own?ZPD, meeting them where they are, AND helping them understand why they are where they are (limiting beliefs)What do you wish your students could do better?Incremental change and pain points (M=V/E)Sponsor Spot 5:Thank you to our sponsors!IXL: https://www.ixl.com/assistant Kaleidoscope Adventures: https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com/the-assistant-principal-podcast-kaleidoscope-adventures/digiCOACH: https://digicoach.com/ Elena's links:Elena's new book: Arise: The Art of Transformational CoachingSpecials for listeners:  Pre-Order Bonuses Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elena_aguilar_writer/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elena-aguilar/Book Shop: https://bookshop.org/lists/books-by-elena-aguilar/Bright Morning: https://www.brightmorningteam.com/The Bright Morning Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bright-morning-podcast-with-elena-aguilar/id1517537206Newsletter: https://www.brightmorningteam.com/resources/newsletterFrederick's Links:Email: frederick@frederickbuskey.comWebsite: https://www.frederickbuskey.com/ LinkedIn:

It's not QUITE back to school season, but depending on where you live, it may be closer than you think! In today's episode, Sarah interviews Sarah McConnell, a professor of anatomy and histology for undergrads, graduate students and med students. Professor Sarah McConnell shares own current planner peace lineup and functional system, and then provides some fantastic tips for others in academic, from using templates to leaving helpful breadcrumbs so that each year builds on past experience without friction. Planner Sarah mentions: Proaction Planner https://www.alifemadesimple.com/proaction-planner/ BLP Review of Proaction Planner:https://theshubox.com/2022/01/blp-ep-79-qa-proaction-planner-review.html Newsletter: theshubox.com/newsletterCourses: theshubox.com/courses Episode Sponsors IXL: Learning doesn't have to stop in the summer!  Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠ixl.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠.  Green Chef: Make this summer your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠greenchef.com/50BESTLAID⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code 50BESTLAID to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping.  PrepDish: Healthy menu plans and prep instruction to take the mental load out of dinner!   Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠PrepDish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠ for your first 2 weeks, FREE.   Mint:  Affordable unlimited wireless!  Get your new customer offer and your 3-month Unlimited wireless plan for $15 a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, host Jethro Jones discusses the crucial topic of AI and cybersecurity with Sam Bourgeois, an experienced IT director with a background in private industry and education. The conversation covers the importance of AI standards, the ethical implications of AI use, and the need for cybersecurity awareness among young people. Sam introduces 'Make It Secure Academy,' an innovative platform aimed at educating students about cybersecurity through interactive and engaging methods. The episode emphasizes the critical need to incorporate these lessons into everyday education to protect children in an increasingly digital world.Cybertraps PodcastAI Standards, AI Ethics, and Cybersecurity for kids.Working for a company that has an International footprint How to support someone who wants to bring on tools. Guardrails, not blockade. NISTRegulations around AIIs it worthwhile for kids to learn standards about AI usage. A student should know and recognize there are correct and incorrect ways to use AI. With great power comes great responsibility. MakeITsecure academyOnce data is exposed, they're being watched and tracked all the timeKids will turn 18 with data exposed for years. How to teach kids without it being a gotcha! On a mission to protect every kid, one kid at a time. About Sam BourgeoisSam is the leader of a large managed services provider in the US serving global customers ranging from defense to education. He is the Sr. Dir. of Technology and Cybersecurity and leads the visioning of new products and services, oversees DEVSECOPs teams and serves as the cyber leader of the organization and many clients. He has deep telecommunication, IT, education, and corporate training industry experiences, and is passionate about serving those in need whether it's in Rotary or non-profit board membership. Socials: @makeitsecurellc = insta, Fbhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/102108099Webpresence LLC - https://www.makeitsecurellc.com/home501c3 - https://www.make-it-secure.org/LMS - https://makeitsecure.academy/Intro to the LMS and Courses - https://youtu.be/xEyFXhe6Z3E  We're thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments

In this episode, host Jethro Jones discusses the crucial topic of AI and cybersecurity with Sam Bourgeois, an experienced IT director with a background in private industry and education. The conversation covers the importance of AI standards, the ethical implications of AI use, and the need for cybersecurity awareness among young people. Sam introduces 'Make It Secure Academy,' an innovative platform aimed at educating students about cybersecurity through interactive and engaging methods. The episode emphasizes the critical need to incorporate these lessons into everyday education to protect children in an increasingly digital world.Cybertraps PodcastAI Standards, AI Ethics, and Cybersecurity for kids.Working for a company that has an International footprint How to support someone who wants to bring on tools. Guardrails, not blockade. NISTRegulations around AIIs it worthwhile for kids to learn standards about AI usage. A student should know and recognize there are correct and incorrect ways to use AI. With great power comes great responsibility. MakeITsecure academyOnce data is exposed, they're being watched and tracked all the timeKids will turn 18 with data exposed for years. How to teach kids without it being a gotcha! On a mission to protect every kid, one kid at a time. About Sam BourgeoisSam is the leader of a large managed services provider in the US serving global customers ranging from defense to education. He is the Sr. Dir. of Technology and Cybersecurity and leads the visioning of new products and services, oversees DEVSECOPs teams and serves as the cyber leader of the organization and many clients. He has deep telecommunication, IT, education, and corporate training industry experiences, and is passionate about serving those in need whether it's in Rotary or non-profit board membership. Socials: @makeitsecurellc = insta, Fbhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/102108099Webpresence LLC - https://www.makeitsecurellc.com/home501c3 - https://www.make-it-secure.org/LMS - https://makeitsecure.academy/Intro to the LMS and Courses - https://youtu.be/xEyFXhe6Z3E  Join the Transformative Mastermind Today and work on your school, not just in it. Apply today. We're thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments

Thanks to everyone who has been listening to Season 6 of the pod. It has been quite a journey and, yet, we feel like we are just getting started. Today marks the end of Season 6 and the start of our deep work to review, reflect, code, and try to understand the stories and experiences of our guests. We would also like to thank our guests, again, for the generosity and willingness to share so much of their stories and themselves during our conversations. We will be taking the summer off and will be back in the fall with Season 7!!With gratitude,Carey and Brianne The Be Podcast Network is thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments

  The Ruckus Report Quick take: Most school leaders are waiting for someone else's permission to create the change they know their students need. Will Parker destroys that myth and reveals the #1 barrier standing between you and transformational leadership — yourself. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker William D. Parker is the founder of Principal Matters, LLC—an educator, author, speaker, and executive coach who leverages his expertise in school culture, leadership, and communication to equip educators with strategies for motivating students, inspiring teachers, and reaching communities. He is also the host of Principal Matters: The School Leader's Podcast, with more than 1.5 million downloads to date. Will supports schools around the world through professional development and leadership coaching. He frequently presents at K–12 events, education conferences, leadership team training, and graduate classes on effective practices, organizational management, and improved school communication. An Oklahoma educator since 1993, Will was named South Intermediate High School Teacher of the Year for Broken Arrow Public Schools in 1998. He became an assistant principal in 2004 and was named Oklahoma Assistant Principal of the Year by the National Association of Secondary Principals in 2012. As a principal of a Title I school, he helped lead initiatives in collaboration, remediation, and mentoring that significantly improved student achievement. For six years, Will served as executive director of the Oklahoma Association of Secondary School Principals and the Oklahoma Middle Level Education Association. Find out more about his leadership academies, masterminds, executive coaching, books, and keynote presentations at williamdparker.com. Will's new book: Whose Permission Are You Waiting For? And other books: Pause. Breath. Flourish., Messaging Matters., and Principal Matters. Breaking Down the Old Rules

In this episode, I sit down with Jessica Lane, founder of Data-Informed Impact, to unpack the critical role of data in K-12 education—and how to use it responsibly, effectively, and equitably. Jessica shares her expertise on building a strong data culture in schools, improving data literacy, and creating clear, ethical data visualizations that empower—not overwhelm—educators and leaders.We explore the often-overlooked human side of data: how to build trust around data use, avoid duplicative processes that drain educators' time, and leverage data to evaluate systems. Jessica also offers insights into how different stakeholders—teachers, administrators, district leaders—use data from both micro and macro lenses, and how EdTech plays a role in the broader data landscape.Whether you're a classroom teacher, building leader, or part of a district team, this conversation will help you think critically about using data as a tool for improvement—not just compliance.Key Topics Covered:✔️ Building a positive and ethical data culture in schools✔️ Improving data literacy for educators and leaders✔️ How to design accessible, meaningful data visualizations✔️ Strategies to streamline administrative processes and reduce redundancy✔️ Student data use and privacy✔️ Understanding the micro vs. macro data needs across K-12 stakeholdersAbout Our Guest:As the founder of Data-Informed Impact, Jessica Lane is known for turning webs of data into easy-to-leverage visual dashboards, systems, and training for K-12 schools – fully equipping leaders and teachers to close the student success gap together. Having created custom solutions for 160 schools across the United States and Canada since 2020, she's an educational data expert. With 10+ years of experience from all angles of the classroom, Jessica's a former data coach, instructional coach, certified math teacher, and holds a Master of Education in learning and technology. Proudly data-informed and people-driven, she believes that data can tell great student success stories, if we let it guide, not decide, how to lead education forward.Jessica currently lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she can often be found excitedly exploring spreadsheets, brain studies, Brené Brown books, and puzzles. And when she's not partnering with schools, she's caring for her darling daughter, Emmy, or one of her 50 houseplants.You can connect with Jessican on her website at: https://www.data-informedimpact.com/Learn about her Data Culture Framework here: https://www.data-informedimpact.com/3-domains-of-diiLearn about her Re-Teaching Cycle Template and other Templates here: https://www.data-informedimpact.com/templatesConnect with Jessica on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/informedimpact/ We're thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments

Have you ever felt like you were faking it in life or parenting? Like God may have something more for you, but you're unsure if you're ready or even worthy? You are so not alone.This week I'm joined by Mary Marantz, and wow, what a conversation. Mary shares her journey from deep-rooted self-doubt to walking confidently in God's calling. Her words will breathe courage into the parts of you that feel small, unseen, or not enough. If fear has been holding you back, this one's for you.Here are four things you'll take away from this episode:Why feeling unqualified doesn't disqualify you from God's callingThe real reason we play small and how to step out of that trapPractical ways to push past fear and move forward with purposeEncouragement for using your God-given gifts even when you're scaredMary is the bestselling author of Dirt and Slow Growth Equals Strong Roots. She's also the host of The Mary Marantz Show and a powerhouse speaker who inspires women to rise from insecurity and step into their God-given purpose. Her newest book, Underestimated, is all about embracing the truth that you don't have to prove yourself, you just need to trust the One who called you.I know this conversation will encourage you in both your parenting and your personal journey. Let it be a reminder: God doesn't call the qualified, he qualifies the called.(00:00) Mary's Journey from Humble Beginnings to Ivy League Success(02:49) The Struggle of Underestimating Oneself(05:40) Understanding Fear and Its Impact on Creativity(08:39) Flipping the Script: From Fear to Purpose(11:29) The Gap Between Success and Significance(18:09) The Cost of Achievement(21:01) Overthinking and Its Consequences(25:58) Neuroplasticity and the Power of Small Steps(30:26) Confronting Fear and Embracing ChangeConnect with MaryMaryMarantz.comUnderestimated bookInstagramThe Mary Marantz ShowResources MentionedWhat is your achiever type? QuizChristian Parenting resourcesA Great Cloud of Witnesses Prayer JournalThe Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.orgOur Sponsors:* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code CPPODCAST for a great deal: https://happymammoth.com* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.com* Check out Mr. Pen and use my code CPPODCAST10 for a great deal: https://mrpen.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In today's episode, sociology professor Allison Daminger joins Sarah for a fascinating discussion about mental load, division of labor, and the role of planning! She answers three great questions from listeners, tackling challenging questions about a partner not interested in long-range planning, a partner with little predictability to his job, and a partner with ADHD. Find more from Allison and her book, The Mental Workload of Family Life, at her website: https://www.allisondaminger.com/book, and she can also be found on substack at https://allisondaminger.substack.com. Submit your questions for Allison on the show notes page at theshubox.com! Episode Sponsors IXL: Learning doesn't have to stop in the summer!  Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠ixl.com/plans⁠⁠⁠.  Green Chef: Make this summer your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Head to ⁠⁠⁠greenchef.com/50BESTLAID⁠⁠⁠ and use code 50BESTLAID to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping.  PrepDish: Healthy menu plans and prep instruction to take the mental load out of dinner!   Visit ⁠⁠⁠PrepDish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠ for your first 2 weeks, FREE.   Mint:  Affordable unlimited wireless!  Get your new customer offer and your 3-month Unlimited wireless plan for $15 a month at ⁠⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Jethro Jones talks with Dr. Jayne Lammers, a dissertation coach, about the importance of having systems and support to complete a dissertation. They discuss Dr. Lammers' experience, the role of a dissertation coach, and various strategies such as weekly accountability check-ins, peer exchanges, and 'shut up and write' sessions to help doctoral students succeed.Join DAGGER

Get the book, Six Steps to a Strong School Culture: A Leadership Cycle for Educational Success Visit Sam's website www.snix3consulting.com About The Author Samuel Nix, EdD, has been an educator for more than twenty years with a background as a teacher, middle and high school principal, and chief of schools in a variety of school settings. He has used his experience to design professional learning sessions for educators on topics ranging from maximizing the success of the entire organization, with an emphasis on raising the academic achievement of all students, to helping leaders re-envision their learning cultures, to promoting systems thinking that transforms organizations.    While he served as a high school principal, Dr. Nix's campus was named as one of the Top 32 Urban Schools in America by the National Center for Urban School Transformation (NCUST). Dr. Nix has been awarded a Leadership-in-Education Award from the Texas House of Representatives, and; was presented the Mary McLeod Bethune Heritage Award for Education by the NAACP in 2010, the Dr. June James NAACP Education Award in 2016, and the Leadership Legacy Award from the Future Schools Network in 2019.   This episode of Principal Center Radio is sponsored by IXL, the most widely used online learning and teaching platform for K-12. Discover the power of data-driven instruction in your school with IXL—it gives you everything you need to maximize learning, from a comprehensive curriculum to meaningful school-wide data. Visit IXL.com/center to lead your school towards data-driven excellence today.   

About the Guest(s):Dr. Leah Kelley is a distinguished neurodivergent education consultant, author, activist, educator, and parent. With 25 years of experience as a public school teacher, her roles have included primary teacher, inclusion resource teacher, and SEL Mental Health helping teacher. Leah is known for her national and international presentations on neurodiversity, advocacy, and inclusion, as well as her popular blog “30 Days of Autism.” She is a sought-after speaker recognized for her storytelling and practical wisdom, encapsulated in her book “The Person Who Arrives: Connecting Disability Studies to Educational Practice for Teachers, Parents, and Others.”Dr. Kari Gustafson is an instructor and researcher specializing at the intersection of neurodiversity, disability studies, education, and role-playing games. Kari holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy of Education from Simon Fraser University, where their dissertation delved into relationality and inclusion within role-playing games like D&D. Currently a faculty member in the Disability and Community Studies program at Douglas College, Kari brings a unique perspective to educational practices that prioritize strength-based collaboration and inclusivity.Episode Summary: In this episode of Think Inclusive, host Tim Villegas engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Dr. Leah Kelley and Dr. Kari Gustafson. The conversation delves into the importance of play and creativity within the context of inclusion, education, and disability studies. As advocates for neurodiversity, Leah and Kari offer insightful perspectives on how play can be an essential tool for both personal growth and collaborative learning, especially for individuals with disabilities.Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/exploring-plays-role-in-inclusion-and-personal-growth/Key Takeaways:-Play is a vital tool for imagination, personal growth, and collaborative learning in neurodiverse and inclusive settings.-Societal pressures often replace play with structured therapies, particularly for children with disabilities, emphasizing the need to reclaim play.-Role-playing games, such as D&D, offer collaborative storytelling experiences that promote inclusivity and value diverse strengths.Embracing play can lead to increased joy and energy, benefiting personal well-being and educational outcomes.-Facilitating inclusive environments that prioritize creativity and play helps individuals thrive and fosters strength-based collaboration.Thank you to our sponsor, IXL: https://ixl.com/inclusive Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello Listeners.We are excited to share a conversation we had with Steve and Deb. We talked about Deb's book, Identity Theft: Rediscovering Ourselves After Stroke, their nonprofit, Stroke Onward, and their carepartnership journeying with Deb's stroke and aphasia. We know you are going to enjoy this one.Thanks,Carey and Brianne The Be Podcast Network is thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments

  Jethro Jones on Breaking the Robot Principal Playbook The Ruckus Report Quick take: Most school leaders are trained to lead like emotionless robots. But students aren't spreadsheets and staff don't need a boss with a checklist — they need a human being. Time to reject the premise that logic alone should run our schools. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Jethro Jones, 2017 NASSP Digital Principal of the Year, is a former principal from Fairbanks, Alaska, and the host of Transformative Principal, where he interviews leaders from around the world who are reimagining K-12 education. He's the founder of the Transformative Leadership Summit and author of SchoolX: How principals can design a transformative school experience for students, teachers, parents – and themselves! Breaking Down the Old Rules

In this episode, Jethro Jones and Damon Hargraves discuss innovative software solutions tailored for educational purposes. They share insights on the impact of AI and other emerging technologies on school environments, the conception of customized applications, and the future of software development in schools. Join the Transformative Mastermind Today and work on your school, not just in it. Apply today. We're thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments

In this episode, we're joined by literacy expert Dr. Molly Ness, author of Making Words Stick, to unpack the science behind orthographic mapping and what truly effective spelling instruction looks like. If you've ever found yourself wondering whether “irregular” words really exist—or how to teach spelling in a way that actually transfers to reading and writing—this episode is for you.Dr. Molly Ness is a former classroom teacher, a reading researcher, and a teacher educator. She earned a doctorate in reading education at the University of Virginia, and spent 16 years as an associate professor at Fordham University in New York City. The author of five books, Molly served on the Board of Directors for the International Literacy Association and is a New York state chapter founder of the Reading League. Dr. Ness has extensive experience in reading clinics, consulting with school districts, leading professional development, and advising school systems on research-based reading instruction. She is also the host of the End Book Deserts podcast. In 2024, she founded Dirigo Literacy, a literacy consulting firm supporting schools, districts, and states align with and implement the science of reading.

Have you or your kids ever wrestled with hard questions about faith? If so, you're not alone and you're definitely in the right place today. This week, I'm talking with Nicholas McDonald about his personal journey through disillusionment, deconstruction, and ultimately a deep renewal of his hope in Jesus. His honesty, wisdom, and compassion are such a gift to parents who are navigating this with their kids or experiencing it themselves.Here are four takeaways from our conversation:Nicholas shows how asking hard questions can actually deepen faith when approached in a safe, truth-filled environment.Community is key. He shares why isolation makes doubt heavier and how loving, honest relationships can carry us through it.Parents don't need to have all the answers. Walking with your child through their questions with empathy and humility is more powerful than a perfect explanation.Hope is always on the table even in the hardest seasons, God's love remains, and he invites us to keep wrestling, trusting, and returning.Nicholas is a pastor, writer, and speaker with a heart for helping people encounter Jesus through the truth of Scripture and the beauty of story. He is the author of The Light in Our Eyes: Rediscovering the Love, Beauty, and Freedom of Jesus in an Age of Disillusionment, and his teaching often bridges the gap between doubt and belief for a new generation of Christians.I know this conversation will encourage your heart and give you practical wisdom for those messy, holy moments of parenting. You don't have to be perfect—you just have to show up.(00:00) Introduction and Background(05:24) Disillusionment with the Church(10:46) Parenting and Faith Challenges(16:27) The Importance of Community(22:02) Hope for the Future of FaithConnect with NickX accountSubstackThe Light in Our Eyes bookResources MentionedChristian Parenting resourcesA Great Cloud of Witnesses Prayer JournalThe Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.orgOur Sponsors:* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code CPPODCAST for a great deal: https://happymammoth.com* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In today's episode, Sarah shares some real behind-the-scenes podcast talk with listeners. She chats about how Best Laid Plans came to be, how she chooses guests, how she tracks podcast logistics, what she outsources, how she handles listener emails, and much more! Visit her website, theshubox.com, if you haven't been for links to all of her prior episodes. Newsletter: theshubox.com/newsletterCourses: theshubox.com/coursesBooks Read in 2025: theshubox.com/2025-books Episode Sponsors IXL: Learning doesn't have to stop in the summer!  Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠ixl.com/plans⁠⁠.  Green Chef: Make this summer your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Head to ⁠⁠greenchef.com/50BESTLAID⁠⁠ and use code 50BESTLAID to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping.  PrepDish: Healthy menu plans and prep instruction to take the mental load out of dinner!   Visit ⁠⁠PrepDish.com/plans⁠⁠ for your first 2 weeks, FREE.   Mint:  Affordable unlimited wireless!  Get your new customer offer and your 3-month Unlimited wireless plan for $15 a month at ⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Ruckus Report Quick take: The biggest legal risk most districts face isn't a headline-grabbing lawsuit — it's the hidden gap between the accommodations they promise and the ones students actually receive. Sam Feeney built a tool that collapses this compliance gap to 10 seconds and a single click. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Sam Feeney has been an educator for twenty-five years as an English teacher, counselor, administrator, and consultant. He created Accommodate in response to his professional observations and his personal experience as a father. Sam and the team at Accommodate provide classroom supports for students with all kinds of learning needs so every teacher can maintain instructional integrity. In his spare time, Sam enjoys reading and collaborating with others to build something new. Sam, his wife, and his five children live in suburban Denver, where they enjoy sports and the outdoors. And—no—he doesn't ski. Breaking Down the Old Rules

In today's episode, Sarah answers accumulated questions for July! Topics include: Laurel Denise + Full Focus is too much -- what do use instead? Task management (2 questions on various angles of this common challenge!) and how not to lose all of those great ideas that come to you that you want to see at the right time Discussion of the Alistair Method for the listener struggling to fit tasks into an unpredictable schedule (details on this method here: https://bulletjournal.com/blogs/bulletjournalist/projects-the-alastair-method Ways to structure/plan out a period of lighter work (sabbatical of sorts) As mentioned early in the episode, Sarah's Mid-Year Check In is available for viewing -- great for those looking for a mid-year boost! This 1-hour guided mid-year planning session is available for instant viewing for anyone who purchases access to Planning 2026 (Sarah's 4 hour annual planning course, held in December/January). Visit theshubox.com/courses for details! Episode Sponsors IXL: Learning doesn't have to stop in the summer!  Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠ixl.com/plans⁠.  Green Chef: Make this summer your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Head to ⁠greenchef.com/50BESTLAID⁠ and use code 50BESTLAID to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping.  PrepDish: Healthy menu plans and prep instruction to take the mental load out of dinner!   Visit ⁠PrepDish.com/plans⁠ for your first 2 weeks, FREE.   Mint:  Affordable unlimited wireless!  Get your new customer offer and your 3-month Unlimited wireless plan for $15 a month at ⁠mintmobile.com/BLP Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices