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Meet Emily DeBaker. She has a unique role as chief of staff at Racine Unified, where she supports district leaders, advises the superintendent, and brings a communication lens to big decisions before they reach staff, families, or the community.You'll hear why getting involved in a professional development association like WSPRA (Wisconsin School Public Relations Association) can be a game-changer, especially for school communicators who often feel like they are figuring things out on their own.Emily explains how WSPRA has grown into more than just conferences, offering resources, networking, webinars, leadership opportunities, and a generous community of people who are always willing to share what works.Andrea and Emily also talk about the heart of great school social media: telling real, authentic stories consistently so your community sees the amazing things happening inside your schools.SPECIAL GUESTEmily DeBakerChief of StaffRacine Unified School District, WisconsinEmail: emily.debaker@rusd.org X: https://x.com/EmilyinWI Website: https://www.rusd.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/racineunified USEFUL INFORMATIONSign up here for our Summer Book Club. We start on Tuesday, June 30, 2026 at 11 am CDT.Order your copy of my book Social Media for Schools: Proven Storytelling Strategies & Ideas to Celebrate Your Students & Staff - While Keeping Your Sanity now!Interested in our membership program? Learn more here: https://socialschool4edu.com/MORE RESOURCESFree Video Training: Learn the simple secrets behind social media for K12 schools!Sign up for our free e-newsletter - click herewww.SocialSchool4EDU.com
I discuss some geopolitical moves that are being made and hopefully how they are removing power from those who sought to end out way of life, as we attempt to preserve it. I also cover some K12 arrests and firing across the nation and a new Connecticut law that seeks to tyrannize homeschooling families; and an executive order that strips vaccine bureaucracy of its influence and power. Book Websites: HERE and HERE. https://www.moneytreepublishing.com/shop PROMO CODE: “AEFM” for 10% OFF, or https://armreg.co.uk PROMO CODE: "americaneducationfm" for 15% off all books and products. (I receive no kickbacks). https://www.thriftbooks.com/ Q posts book: https://drive.proton.me/urls/JJ78RV1QP8#yCO0wENuJQPH
In this episode of Transformative Principle, Jethro Jones sits down with Jonathan Wennstrom, principal of Rosedale Elementary in Livonia, Michigan, to discuss the power of school-wide weekly meetings. Jonathan shares how he launched "Celebrate Monday" assemblies — 20-minute, student-centered gatherings held every Monday morning to kick off the week with positivity and purpose. Inspired by ideas from fellow educators Sean Gallardo and Jessica Bartha, Jonathan walks through how these assemblies work, what they include (pledges, literacy shares, themed videos, and calls to action), and how they've transformed school culture by reducing behavior referrals and building community. He also shares practical advice on logistics, staff buy-in, parent communication, and planning themes aligned with character education — all while emphasizing that the assemblies are just the spark, and the real magic happens in the classroom. We're proud 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
Episode #133 is up! Check it out!!!Always a teacher: How to love your job even more after 40 yearsSpecial Guest Mr. Don Bott, instructional coach, consultant, speaker, and veteran educator, joins Dr. Woods on episode #133 of Leading Out The Woods to discuss Always a Teacher: How to Love Your Job Even More After 40 Years. In this episode, Mr. Bott reflects on lessons learned throughout his remarkable career in education, sharing strategies, stories, and insights that have fueled his passion for teaching, coaching, and leadership. Together, they explore the power of optimism, relationship-building, and maintaining a deep commitment to students and educators across every stage of the journey.
Meet Jeanise Dimitri. She has spent 18 years at Middle Bucks Institute of Technology, and today she's sharing how a student influencer initiative became one of the most exciting and impactful projects of her career.You'll hear how Jeanise went from struggling to gather content from staff to receiving more than 70 student applications for a program designed to help tell authentic stories from inside the classroom.Jeanise breaks down the structure behind the initiative, including student applications, interviews, training, Google Classroom communication, and the four ways students can contribute through social media, tours, presentations, and events.This episode will inspire you to think differently about student-created content, staff buy-in, and the power of trusting students to help showcase the real learning happening in your schools.SPECIAL GUESTJeanise DimitriCommunity Engagement and Public Relations CoordinatorMiddle Bucks Institute of Technology, PennsylvaniaEmail: jdimitri@mbit.org Website: https://www.mbit.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MiddleBucksInstituteTech Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/middle_bucks/ X: https://x.com/middlebucks LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/middle-bucks-institute-of-technology/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@midbuckstech YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@middle_bucks USEFUL INFORMATIONJeanise's Student Influencer Tool Kit - including the application, promotional posters, interview rubric, student agreement, checklists, and more!Sign up here for our Summer Book Club. We start on Tuesday, June 30, 2026 at 11 am CDT.Order your copy of my book Social Media for Schools: Proven Storytelling Strategies & Ideas to Celebrate Your Students & Staff - While Keeping Your Sanity now!Interested in our membership program? Learn more here: https://socialschool4edu.com/MORE RESOURCESFree Video Training: Learn the simple secrets behind social media for K12 schools!Sign up for our free e-newsletter - click herewww.SocialSchool4EDU.com
This week, I’m doing something different with my blog and my podcast. I’ve compiled a list of the most common questions I get about AI when I’m teaching courses and leading professional development on the topic. Listen to the Podcast If you enjoy this blog... The post Q&A: The Big Questions We're Asking About AI in Education appeared first on Spencer Education.
In this episode, author N. West Moss takes us behind the scenes of her debut middle grade novel BIRDYSubscribe to Sharp Read on SubstackJoin thousands of children's lit supporters reading Colby's weekly dispatches from the classroom.Subscribe to 100 Scope Notes on SubstackA bi-weekly deep dive into the world of picture books, delivered to your inbox.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Mike Caldwell sits down with Bill Knous, Senior Director of Quality and Growth at the Colorado League of Charter Schools and co-founder of Gran Via, a micro school in the Denver area. Bill shares his winding path into education — from a history degree and living abroad in Australia and Spain, to teaching multilingual learners in Denver and Philly, to leading classrooms and schools in Colombia. He and his wife co-founded Gran Via in 2020, growing it from six students to 30 while navigating a patchwork of micro-school funding in Colorado. Bill makes a passionate case for scrapping seat-time requirements as the primary accountability metric, arguing the system is designed for adult compliance rather than student motivation. He also reflects on what gives him hope — a rising generation of learners who experienced the pandemic and are pushing back on the one-size-fits-all model. The episode closes with Bill's take on transformative leadership: the ability to influence and motivate a diverse group of people around a singular mission. We're proud 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
Kail and Lindsie are back on the couch after a sleepover, and this episode gets honest fast. They talk Southern hospitality, feeling out of place, wanting a life they don't need to escape from, and the reality of motherhood when your “free time” is barely free.Then, Kail and Lindsie finally open up about their friendship and business partnership; how Coffee Convos started, the years they weren't always close, the fights, the silence, the people who came in between them, and why their bond feels stronger now than ever. They also get into resentment, public narratives, healing from things you can't fully explain, love languages, gift giving, toxic relationships, and what it means when someone would rather stay mediocre than grow.Plus, a foul play story involving dino nuggets, public bathroom trauma, and one very unfortunate grocery store incident.Get your Fatherless Behavior Tour Tickets herePlease vote for us in the lifestyle category here!For full videos head to patreon.com/kaillowry To send in your Foul Plays email us at info@coffeeconvos.comThank you for checking out our sponsors!This episode is brought to you by booking.com. Head over to Booking.com and start your listing today.Fabletics: Shop now at Fabletics.com/coffeeconvos to get 70- 80% off everything when you sign up as a new VIP. Take a quick style quiz and be sure to select coffeeconvos when prompted to unlock this offer.This is a limited-time offer, so don't wait. Firstleaf: Stop settling for wines that don't quite hit the mark. Head to TryFirstleaf.com/coffee to sign up and you'll get fifty percent off your first box PLUS free shipping for an entire year. RoBody: Find out if you're covered for free at ro.com/coffeeconvosK12: See why more than 3 million families have chosen K12 find a K12 Powered School near you today! Go to K12.com/COFFEECONVOS to learn more.Progressive: To get your auto insurance quote head to progressive.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
OEA Locals can amplify the impact of their members' dues dollars through OEA grant programs - especially now, with the new Local Capacity Grants that are available just for completing a Local Capacity Toolkit assessment. The Tallmadge Teachers Association let the needs identified in that self-assessment drive their decisions not only to create a political action committee for their local, but also to create Action Plans to address needs in several other areas. Those Action Plans allowed them to access more Local Capacity Grant funding to support those new projects. TTA leaders join us for this episode to talk about how their Local Capacity and Wellness grants-fueled initiatives have strengthened member, student, and community engagement with their association. GRANT FUNDING IN ACTION | Watch this short video to see photos from a few of the many grant-supported projects the Tallmadge Teachers Association members mention in this episode!CATCH UP | Click here to listen to our conversation with OEA Secretary-Treasurer Rob McFee from earlier this season about the OEA grants that are available and the changes that have been made to make this funding more accessible and impactful for local associations. Your Dues Dollars at Work: What you need to know about OEA's Local Affiliate GrantsJUMP AHEAD | Helpful timecodes to hear about some of Tallmadge TA's initiatives and projects:4:00 - Starting a political action committee, based on needs identified in the Local Capacity Grant toolkit assessment10:00 - Cultural events at the middle and high schools16:00 - Improving association visibility with kindergarten graduation t-shirts19:45 - OEA Wellness Grant-funded Survival Bags21:00 - Bagel-fed and Bracelet-bound, thanks to OEA Wellness Grant funding21:45 - Promoting Leadership with New TeachersLEARN MORE ABOUT THE OEA GRANTS:For more information about the Local Capacity Grant, click here. Additional information can be found on the OEA Grants and Scholarships page, in the bottom right corner.For more information about the OEA Wellness Grants, click here. For details about the Special Projects and Effective Local grants, click here. The application form is available here.Click here to learn more about the OEA Foundation Grants.SUBSCRIBE | Click here to subscribe to Public Education Matters on Apple Podcasts or click here to listen on Spotify so you don't miss a thing. You can also find Public Education Matters on many other platforms. Click here for some of those links so you can listen anywhere. And don't forget you can listen to all of the previous episodes anytime on your favorite podcast platform, or by clicking here.Featured Public Education Matters guests: Becky Miller, Tallmadge Teachers Association PresidentBecky Miller taught 5 years in Cuyahoga Falls and 30 in Tallmadge, where she is a second grade teacher. She is a past OEA Board member and past NEA Trainer of the Trainers. She currently serves as TTA president, with her term ending June 1st. Audrey Cunert, Tallmadge Teachers AssociationAshley Graham, Tallmadge Teachers Association memberAshley Graham is a School Psychologist who worked for five years in Akron Public Schools before moving to Tallmadge schools four years ago. This year, she has also taken on the responsibility as the coordinator for the English as a Second Language program, though primarily, she still serves as a school psychologist. This is her first year in a leadership position with TTA and she is currently a building rep at Tallmadge Middle School. Lianna Dauberman, Tallmadge Teachers Association Secretary-ElectNow in her 12th year as a school counselor -- all 12 of which have been in a K-5 setting -- Lianna Dauberman has been in Tallmadge schools for eight years now. She has been a building representative for TTA for the elementary for two years. This summer, she will start her new role as TTA Secretary. Brooke Nagy, Tallmadge Teachers AssociationBrooke Nagy is a kindergarten teacher at Tallmadge Elementary School. She has been teaching for 25 years and has been a building rep on Tallmadge Teachers Association for the last 17 years. Jon Bryan, Tallmadge Teachers Association Vice PresidentJon Bryan is currently a fifth-grade teacher in Tallmadge, Ohio, and is finishing his 32nd year in education. He holds his master's in education from Kent State and is a Nationally Board-Certified Teacher. Connect with OEA:Email educationmatters@ohea.org with your feedback or ideas for future Public Education Matters topicsLike OEA on FacebookFollow OEA on TwitterFollow OEA on InstagramGet the latest news and statements from OEA hereLearn more about where OEA stands on the issues Keep up to date on the legislation affecting Ohio public schools and educators with OEA's Legislative WatchAbout us:The Ohio Education Association represents nearly 120,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals who work in Ohio's schools, colleges, and universities to help improve public education and the lives of Ohio's children. OEA members provide professional services to benefit students, schools, and the public in virtually every position needed to run Ohio's schools.Public Education Matters host Katie Olmsted serves as Media Relations Consultant for the Ohio Education Association. She joined OEA in May 2020, after a ten-year career as an Emmy Award-winning television reporter, anchor, and producer. Katie comes from a family of educators and is passionate about telling educators' stories and advocating for Ohio's students. She lives in Central Ohio with her husband an...
Property taxes, levies, millage and school funding can be confusing, but they affect every community.In this episode of Report to the Office, OSBA President Mary Cleveland talks with Princeton City Schools Treasurer Christine Poetter about how school districts are funded, why local taxpayers are being asked to carry more of the load, and how those dollars support students, staff, buildings and daily operations.They also discuss common misconceptions about school district finances, the difference between property tax and income tax levies, why cash balances can be misunderstood, and how community members can stay informed and involved.Topics include:• Where school funding comes from.• Why property tax bills can change.• How levy dollars reach the classroom.• The role of the district treasurer.• Why school funding is a community issue.Understanding school funding is one way communities can better support students and public education.00:00 Introduction00:18 Where do your property taxes go?00:50 Meet Christine Poetter02:17 Biggest misconception about school funding04:02 Main sources of school funding05:21 Local taxpayers vs. state funding07:30 Property tax levies vs. income tax levies11:30 Millage and valuation explained12:48 Why tax bills can change15:23 How tax dollars reach the classroom18:27 Why cash balances can be misunderstood19:02 Schools are a people business20:39 Hard financial decisions districts face23:11 What every Ohio resident should understand25:33 How community members can stay informed27:17 Closing remarksFor more resources, training and advocacy updates from the Ohio School Boards Association, visit ohioschoolboards.org
Outline and Show NotesRealistic Recharge with Dr. Julie HassonPower Quote: "the wrong kind of hard"Teaser:Today I'm back with Dr. Julie Hasson. In part 1, we went deep into burnout, toxic positivity, and self-care. In today's show we'll dig into Julie's Recharge model. This episode is every bit as practical and rich as the last show was.Sponsor Spot 1:So when it comes to student travel, I get why it can feel like a big lift. That's why I always point people toward Kaleidoscope Adventures. They've been doing this for more than 30 years, and they understand what schools actually need - clear communication, strong organization, and a plan that works. They handle the details, so you're not left piecing it all together yourself. If you've been on the fence about planning a trip, now is the time to reach out to my friends at Kaleidoscope Adventures. Visit mykatrip.com today and get your free quote today. Kaleidoscope Adventures – Travel Beyond Expectations.Show IntroGuest Bio:Dr. Julie Schmidt Hasson is a professor, researcher, author, and certified resilience trainer. Julie is the founder of Teacher Recharge, which provides professional learning and resources to help educators stay longer, grow stronger, and keep making an impact. Julie's popular TEDx Talk, The Teachers We Remember, has been viewed by educators around the world. She is the author of four books, including Pause, Ponder, and Persist in the Classroom: How Teachers Turn Challenges into Opportunities for Impact. Julie unequivocally believes that it is possible to impact lives and still have a life.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/PromptsI want to begin by clarifying some different concepts:BurnoutToxic positivitySelf-careI have become very intentional in my self-care, but I also don't work in an organization that is burning me out. What does the science tell us about recharging?What are some simple practice listeners can use to recharge?(Optional) What are the biggest stressors you are hearing from people in the field?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.Summary/wrap upBattery metaphorAutonomySystems: “The wrong kind of hard.”I'm curious: 5-mc around next year“Boundaries are the distance at which I can love you and me simultaneously.” – Prentis HemphillRemember the link for the 25 Stress ResetsSpecial thanks to the amazing Ranford Almond for the great music on the show. Please support Ranford and the show by checking out his music!Ranford's homepage: https://ranfordalmond.comRanford's music on streaming services: https://streamlink.to/ranfordalmond-oldsoulInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ranfordalmond/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ranfordalmond/Sponsor Links:IXL: http://ixl.com/assistant Kaleidoscope Adventures: https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com/the-assistant-principal-podcast-kaleidoscope-adventures/CloseLeadership is a journey and thank you for choosing to walk some of this magical path with me.You can find links to all sorts of stuff in the show notes, including my website https://www.frederickbuskey.com/I love hearing from you. If you have comments or questions, or are interested in having me speak at your school or conference, email me at frederick@frederickbuskey.com or connect with me on LinkedIn.If you are tired of spending time putting out fires and would rather invest time supporting and growing teachers, consider reading my book, A School Leader's Guide to Reclaiming Purpose. The book is available on Amazon. You can find links to it, as well as free book study materials on my website at https://www.frederickbuskey.com/reclaiming-purpose.html Please remember to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Remember the secret to good leadership:Be intentional in choosing how you will show up for othersBe fully presentAsk reflective questionsAnd then just listenDon't overcomplicate it, the value is in the listening.Have a great rest of the week!Cheers!Guest Links:https://www.teacherrecharge.com/Free Guide: 25 Stress Resets for Educators: https://chalk-and-chances.kit.com/81ffee94abFrederick'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
CC 479: Kail and Lindsie are in Atlanta with tour chaos, parenting updates, and the kind of unfiltered conversations only Coffee Convos can have. Lindsie tells the unbelievable story of her Bronco rolling away after a recent repair and the recall that may explain it. They also get into school emails, ADHD meds, co-parenting disagreements, what consequences should look like at home versus school, and why teachers recording students crosses a line. Plus, Kail and Lindsie react to the latest Unexpected drama, talk about grooming, inappropriate adult behavior with minors, sex offender registries, assisted suicide, wisdom teeth, and close out with a foul play involving a childhood move into not one, but two throuple situations.Trigger warning: This episode includes conversations about grooming, predatory behavior, minors, pedophilia, and assisted suicide.Get your Fatherless Behavior Tour Tickets herePlease vote for us in the lifestyle category here!For full videos head to patreon.com/kaillowry To send in your Foul Plays email us at info@coffeeconvos.comThank you for checking out our sponsors!Honey Love: Save 50% Off Honeylove this Memorial Day Weekend by going to honeylove.com/Coffee #honeylovepodK12: See why more than 3 million families have chosen K12 find a K12 Powered School near you today! Go to K12.com/COFFEECONVOS to learn more.Merit: Right now, Merit Beauty is offering our listeners their Signature Makeup Bag with your first order at meritbeauty.com.Direct TV: Go to directv.com/genrepacks and sign up today.Firstleaf: Stop settling for wines that don't quite hit the mark. Head to TryFirstleaf.com/coffee to sign up and you'll get fifty percent off your first box PLUS free shipping for an entire year. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Andrea Joseph shares why some of the best school photos happen when you slow down, stay quiet, and let the moment come to you. Her idea of “curated spontaneity” is something every school storyteller will want to try.You'll hear simple but powerful photography tips to help you capture more authentic images at school, from watching the full frame to finding cleaner backgrounds and better angles.Andrea also gives great advice on how schools can make the most of a professional photo day, including how to plan ahead, work with teachers, and capture the moments that tell your school's story best.There's also a really honest side conversation about going out on your own, and it's one that will definitely resonate if you've ever wondered whether your photography or video side work could become something more.SPECIAL GUESTAndrea JosephPrincipal PhotographerAndrea Joseph Photography, MarylandEmail: andrea@andreajoseph.com Website: https://www.andreajoseph.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreajosephphoto/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-joseph-80883516/ USEFUL INFORMATIONFree download of tips for taking photos in the classroomOrder your copy of my book Social Media for Schools: Proven Storytelling Strategies & Ideas to Celebrate Your Students & Staff - While Keeping Your Sanity now!Interested in our membership program? Learn more here: https://socialschool4edu.com/MORE RESOURCESFree Video Training: Learn the simple secrets behind social media for K12 schools!Sign up for our free e-newsletter - click herewww.SocialSchool4EDU.com
In this episode, host Jethro interviews Robert Dillon, author and director of Bright Bytes, about the transformative power of learning spaces. Robert argues that reimagining physical classroom environments is one of the few true "big levers" of disruption in education — alongside grades and schedules. The conversation covers practical, low-cost strategies for redesigning spaces, including removing clutter, adding writable surfaces, varying seating arrangements, and leveraging hallways. Robert emphasizes designing with students rather than for them, using a phased purchasing approach (30/40/30), and embracing iteration over perfection. The episode also touches on the cultural shifts that come when spaces signal something different — making learning feel like a place where process matters more than product, and where hard work can actually be fun. Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We're proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you're a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We're also 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
Anchor Chat #30: Beyond Busy Work — Rethinking Student EngagementIn this episode of Anchor Chats, Dr. Woods reflects on Beyond Busy Work — Rethinking Student Engagement, challenging educators to move beyond compliance-driven activities and focus on authentic cognitive engagement. He discusses the difference between students being busy versus truly thinking, emphasizing the importance of discourse, problem-solving, reflection, and meaningful learning experiences. Dr. Woods encourages educators to examine who is carrying the cognitive load in the classroom and reminds listeners that real engagement happens when students are actively making meaning—not simply completing tasks.
I discuss the societal landscape of the ‘ChudTheBuilder' case and what it exposes; I discus the new discussions of fraud and whether or not politicians can be trusted to do the right thing; along with the surveillance state growing around us; also more K12 abuse, and this week's CIA COVID whistleblower and the excuses that are being made by politicians. Book Websites: HERE and HERE. https://www.moneytreepublishing.com/shop PROMO CODE: “AEFM” for 10% OFF, or https://armreg.co.uk PROMO CODE: "americaneducationfm" for 15% off all books and products. (I receive no kickbacks). https://www.thriftbooks.com/ Q posts book: https://drive.proton.me/urls/JJ78RV1QP8#yCO0wENuJQPH
Tiffin Columbian High School teacher Chris Monsour is the first person to tell you he never thought he'd be a teacher. Now, 27 years later, he's the Ohio Teacher of the Year. In that role, he has spent the 2025-2026 school year traveling around the state and the country, representing Ohio's public school educators, lifting up the positive stories about the power of our public schools, and sharing his message about the importance of staying the course. He joins us for this episode to catch us up on some of the many things he has done and lessons he has learned during his Ohio Teacher of the Year term so far.STAY THE COURSE | Click here to watch a recent Ohio School Spotlight video with Chris Monsour sharing his story of perseverance and dedication as he continues to push his students and fellow educators to “stay the course” and reach their full potential. Click here to check out other features in OEA's Ohio School Spotlight video library. STRONG UNIONS MAKE STRONG PUBLIC SCHOOLS | As part of OEA's ongoing statewide media campaign, Chris highlighted how his local association, the Tiffin Education Association, has been able to keep class sizes managable so they can individualize instruction and improve student outcomes. Click here to watch that TV commercial, and click here to see all of the other locals' stories that are being shared across the state this year. OHIO SCHOOLS | Chris Monsour was featured as the cover story in the December 2025/January 2026 issue of the Ohio Education Association's Ohio Schools magazine. Click here to read the piece. SUBSCRIBE | Click here to subscribe to Public Education Matters on Apple Podcasts or click here to listen on Spotify so you don't miss a thing. You can also find Public Education Matters on many other platforms, including YouTube. Click here for links for other platforms so you can listen anywhere. And don't forget you can listen to all of the previous episodes anytime on your favorite podcast platform, or by clicking here.Featured Public Education Matters guest: Chris Monsour, Tiffin Education Association member, 2026 Ohio Teacher of the YearChristopher Monsour teaches a variety of advanced science courses, including College Credit Plus (CCP) Environment and Society, CCP Oceanus, CCP Anatomy and Physiology, Honors Biology, and AP Biology at Columbian High School in Tiffin City Schools. Over the years, he has taught six different CCP courses while serving as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Findlay, Heidelberg University, and Terra State Community College.Monsour's 26 years of teaching experience also includes four years as a student study session consultant for AP Biology, ten summers of teaching at the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth, where he served as both an instructor and the Academic Dean for Science and Math, and two summers teaching English as a Second Language at Tianjin Normal University in the People's Republic of China.With plans as an undergraduate to pursue a career in environmental biology, Monsour earned his bachelor's degree through Heidelberg University. Since then, he has pursued graduate work in biology, ecology, and inquiry, earning two master's degrees: a Master of Arts in Education from Heidelberg University and a Master of Science from Montana State University. In addition to his education and teaching experience, Chris has participated in numerous global expeditions, both on land and at sea, which enhances his ability to keep students engaged and excited about the sciences. Monsour's dedication to teaching has also earned him the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching and Outstanding Biology Teacher of the Year from the National Association of Biology Teachers.Connect with OEA:Email educationmatters@ohea.org with your feedback or ideas for future Public Education Matters topicsLike OEA on FacebookFollow OEA on TwitterFollow OEA on InstagramGet the latest news and statements from OEA hereLearn more about where OEA stands on the issues Keep up to date on the legislation affecting Ohio public schools and educators with OEA's Legislative WatchAbout us:The Ohio Education Association represents nearly 120,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals who work in Ohio's schools, colleges, and universities to help improve public education and the lives of Ohio's children. OEA members provide professional services to benefit students, schools, and the public in virtually every position needed to run Ohio's schools.Public Education Matters host Katie Olmsted serves as Media Relations Consultant for the Ohio Education Association. She joined OEA in May 2020, after a ten-year career as an Emmy Award winning television reporter, anchor, and producer. Katie comes from a family of educators and is passionate about telling educators' stories and advocating for Ohio's students. She lives in Central Ohio with her husband and two young children. This episode was recorded on April 8, 2026.
Throwback Thursday! Win the Morning featuring Ryan SteinOriginally Released On: 2-9-2024This week, we're revisiting one of our timeless episodes from Leading Out The Woods!In this episode:✅ Ryan shares his inspiring philosophy of "Win the Morning"✅ Ryan discusses his strategies to cultivate a positive school cultureWhether you're hearing it for the first time or revisiting a classic, this conversation is packed with insights that still resonate today.
In this episode Mike explores the growing race for critical minerals hidden deep beneath the Pacific Ocean with mining executive Tom Albanese, Chairman of American Ocean Minerals and former CEO of Rio Tinto and Vedanta Resources. Tom has spent more than four decades in the global mining and metals business, overseeing some of the largest resource projects on earth. Now he's focused on something even more ambitious: harvesting polymetallic nodules from the ocean floor—potato-sized rocks packed with nickel, cobalt, copper, manganese, and rare earth elements that are critical to batteries, AI infrastructure, defense systems, smartphones, and modern energy technology. Mike and Tom discuss why these nodules have become one of the most hotly contested resources in the world and how the race for critical minerals has evolved into both an economic and geopolitical battle. They also explain why many companies see the deep ocean as an alternative to opening hundreds of new land mines. Hint: These nodules sit unattached on the ocean floor just waiting to be vacuumed up without need for blasting or tunneling. It's a conversation that feels part science fiction, part industrial history, and part treasure hunt. Because sometimes the next gold rush isn't in the mountains. It's sitting three miles beneath the top of the ocean. Today's episode is sponsored by PureTalk.com/Rowe Get UNLIMITED hi-speed data for just $34.99 per month! NetSuite.com/Mike Download their FREE business guide, Demystifying AI K12.com/Rowe See what's possible for your child with K12's Career and College Prep American-Giant.com/MIKE Use code MIKE to get 20% off your order.
On this Salcedo Storm Podcast:Chris & Sean talk about school, graduation, the airlines and just how pathetic John Cornyn really is.
Outline and Show NotesWhat Does Burnout Mean? With Dr. Julie HassonPower Quote: “The wrong kind of hard.”Teaser:Dr. Julie Hasson and I has so much fun recording our conversation – we just kept on talking, so instead of giving you a giant dump of stuff, we decided to break it into two distinct episodes. In part 1, we go deep into burnout, toxic positivity, and self-care. In next week's show we'll dig into Julie's Recharge model. This is an episode rich in takeaways – not “rah rah” self-care - real things based on the challenges we are all dealing with.Sponsor Spot 1:I talk to a lot of Assistant Principals, and one thing that comes up all the time is the question - how do we create experiences students will remember forever? That's where travel can really make a difference, and my friends at Kaleidoscope Adventures help schools create trips that go beyond just checking a box. They create adventures that build confidence, create connection, and give students something to carry with them long after they leave the classroom. If you're looking to create those kinds of moments for your students, Kaleidoscope Adventures is a great place to start. Visit their website, mykatrip.com, and start planning your next school trip today.Show IntroGuest Bio:Dr. Julie Schmidt Hasson is a professor, researcher, author, and certified resilience trainer. Julie is the founder of Teacher Recharge, which provides professional learning and resources to help educators stay longer, grow stronger, and keep making an impact. Julie's popular TEDx Talk, The Teachers We Remember, has been viewed by educators around the world. She is the author of four books, including Pause, Ponder, and Persist in the Classroom: How Teachers Turn Challenges into Opportunities for Impact. Julie unequivocally believes that it is possible to impact lives and still have a life.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/PromptsI want to begin by clarifying some different concepts:BurnoutToxic positivitySelf-careSponsor 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 upEnd of day ritualToxic positivity: not acknowledge (antidote – celebrate the small things)Self-care: feel good versus good for meRemember the link for the 25 Stress ResetsSpecial thanks to the amazing Ranford Almond for the great music on the show. Please support Ranford and the show by checking out his music!Ranford's homepage: https://ranfordalmond.comRanford's music on streaming services: https://streamlink.to/ranfordalmond-oldsoulInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ranfordalmond/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ranfordalmond/Sponsor Links:IXL: http://ixl.com/assistant Kaleidoscope Adventures: https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com/the-assistant-principal-podcast-kaleidoscope-adventures/CloseLeadership is a journey and thank you for choosing to walk some of this magical path with me.You can find links to all sorts of stuff in the show notes, including my website https://www.frederickbuskey.com/I love hearing from you. If you have comments or questions, or are interested in having me speak at your school or conference, email me at frederick@frederickbuskey.com or connect with me on LinkedIn.If you are tired of spending time putting out fires and would rather invest time supporting and growing teachers, consider reading my book, A School Leader's Guide to Reclaiming Purpose. The book is available on Amazon. You can find links to it, as well as free book study materials on my website at https://www.frederickbuskey.com/reclaiming-purpose.html Please remember to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Remember the secret to good leadership:Be intentional in choosing how you will show up for othersBe fully presentAsk reflective questionsAnd then just listenDon't overcomplicate it, the value is in the listening.Have a great rest of the week!Cheers!Guest Links:https://www.teacherrecharge.com/Free Guide: 25 Stress Resets for Educators: https://chalk-and-chances.kit.com/81ffee94abFrederick'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:
Jennifer Bode breaks down the exact fundraising formulas her small school uses to consistently run a high-impact gala.There's a simple way to structure your auction (hint: fewer items = better results) that can instantly improve your fundraiser.Stop wasting time on ineffective promotion - learn which social media tactics actually drive attendance and engagement.Walk away with practical, doable ideas to promote your event, involve students, and make your next fundraiser more successful.SPECIAL GUESTJennifer BodeMission Advancement Assistant & CommunicationsArizona Lutheran Academy, ArizonaEmail: JBode@ALAcoyotes.org Website: https://ALAcoyotes.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArizonaLutheranAcademy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arizonalutheran/ X: https://x.com/ArizonaLutheran YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArizonaLutheranAcademy USEFUL INFORMATIONCome to our retreat! Only a few spots remain. Register here for the Social Media for Schools Retreat!2026 Game Show Gala Promo video (created in Canva)2026 Game Show Gala recap video (created by a student intern)2024 Boots & Bling recap video (created by a student)Order your copy of my book Social Media for Schools: Proven Storytelling Strategies & Ideas to Celebrate Your Students & Staff - While Keeping Your Sanity now!Interested in our membership program? Learn more here: https://socialschool4edu.com/MORE RESOURCESFree Video Training: Learn the simple secrets behind social media for K12 schools!Sign up for our free e-newsletter - click herewww.SocialSchool4EDU.com
In this episode of the Transformative Leadership Summit, Jethro sits down with Kyle Palmer, principal of Lewis and Clark Elementary, to explore how school leaders can develop teacher leaders and build a culture of trust and innovation. Kyle shares the story of how his school evolved from a single maker space initiative—sparked by library teacher Angela Rosheim's genius hour instruction—into a school-wide culture of student-centered learning, STEM integration through Project Lead The Way (PLTW), and maker spaces throughout the building. Central to the conversation is Kyle's philosophy of tight/loose leadership: being firm on learning outcomes and collaborative team expectations while giving teachers genuine autonomy in how they get there. He discusses the power of highly functioning PLCs, the importance of developing leaders (not just followers—a concept drawn from John Maxwell), and why trust, listening, and consistent feedback are the keys to empowering staff. Kyle leaves principals with a simple but powerful action step: go ask your best teachers what they think. Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We're proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you're a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We're also 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
CC 477: Kail and Lindsie are on the couch in Atlanta discussing everything from Blake Lively, Taylor Swift, and Met Gala chaos to WWE dreams, reality TV burnout, and the future of podcasting. Kail opens up about her fears after 16 years in the spotlight, why a scripted comedy-style reality show actually sounds appealing, and some future ideas.They also get into the behind-the-scenes realities of filming reality TV, recreating emotional moments for cameras, navigating public scrutiny, and why some internet theories deserve detective badges. Plus, the conversation spirals into ex-etiquette, awkward run-ins, cookie dough betrayal, farting in relationships, shart disasters, and the absolute disrespect of using the downstairs powder room for a full-blown emergency.Get your Fatherless Behavior Tour Tickets herePlease vote for us in the lifestyle category here!For full videos head to patreon.com/kaillowry To send in your Foul Plays email us at info@coffeeconvos.comThank you for checking out our sponsors!This episode is brought to you by booking.com. Head over to Booking.com and start your listing today.Progressive: To get your auto insurance quote head to progressive.comRoBody: Find out if you're covered for free at ro.com/coffeeconvosK12: See why more than 3 million families have chosen K12 find a K12 Powered School near you today! Go to K12.com/COFFEECONVOS to learn more.Rocket Money: Let Rocket Money help you reach your financial goals faster. Join at RocketMoney.com/COFFEECONVOSLittle Spoon: Try Little Spoon Formula with their 2 can trial pack (Buy 1, Get 1 free - that's $30 for 2 cans),which is great if you're easing into the transition at littlespoon.com/TRYFORMULASee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
If you have followed my blog for any amount of time, you’ll know that I am a huge proponent of project based learning (or PBL for short). I have a PBL hub with articles and resources you can access. I conduct PBL workshops, keynotes, and... The post When Should We Avoid Implementing PBL? appeared first on Spencer Education.
Although we're heading into the final weeks of the school year, learning should never stop. OEA members have the opportunity to learn from each other, improve their practice for their students, and build their skills and relationships at this year's OEA Summer Leadership Academy June 22-24 in Columbus. In this episode, we're sitting down with two OEA members who are presenting at SLA about why this is such a valuable experience for educators. We're also hearing from one of the OEA staff members who is co-planning the event about why a fireside chat with the keynote speaker, Tyler James Williams from Abbot Elementary, is just one of the many draws for this year's SLA conference.REGISTER NOW FOR SLA | The OEA Summer Leadership Academy is designed to help OEA members at all levels of the association realize and develop skills and talents as leaders of their profession and their association while building relationships and organizing for power. June 22-24, 2026 - Hyatt Regency Columbus (350 N High Street, Columbus, OH 43215)More information and registration at https://cvent.me/z0aWP9Registration deadline: June 12026 Summer Leadership Academy Features:• Annual OEA District Leaders Event open to all Summer Leadership Academy attendees• Meet and Greet with Ohio's 2026 pro-public education candidates• More than 40 unique sessions to meet your professional learning needs• NEW! A wellness session block focused on balance, care, and creativity• Time for you to connect with your colleagues, learn together, and reflect on how OEA members are United for Public EducationJOIN OEA FOR MORE SUMMER FUN | In addition to this year's Summer Leadership Academy, OEA is offering several other opportunities for educators to come together while school is out:GOLF OUTING | Join OEA at Champions Golf Course before you head to SLA on Monday, June 22, 2026.Click here for full details and info about registering your foursome or signing up to attend as a spectator.SUMMER CELEBRATION OF DIVERSE READERS | OEA and the Dayton Education Association will be giving away thousands of free books featuring diverse characters, written by diverse authors at the 4th annual Summer Celebration of Diverse Readers on Saturday, June 13, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Lohery Recreation Center (2366 Glenarm Ave. Dayton, OH 45420) SUBSCRIBE | Click here to subscribe to Public Education Matters on Apple Podcasts or click here to listen on Spotify so you don't miss a thing. You can also find Public Education Matters on many other platforms. Click here for some of those links so you can listen anywhere. And don't forget you can listen to all of the previous episodes anytime on your favorite podcast platform, or by clicking here.Featured Public Education Matters guests: Mackenzie Leonard, Van Buren Education Association memberMackenzie is the EL Program Coordinator and ESL teacher at Van Buren Schools, where she works with students grades PK-12. She is also a member of the Ohio TESOL Board and a proud member of OEA's EL Cadre. Kenzie is a graduate from THE Ohio State University as well as from BGSU and has a passion for developing and fostering cultural awareness and multicultural experiences within small-town communities. Kenzie is a daughter, sister, and "Mama" to her ever-energetic daughter, Palmer!Joie Moore, Pickerington Support Staff Association PresidentJoie Moore serves as the president of the Pickerington Support Staff Association, as a board member of Central OEA/NEA, and on the OEA Board of Directors, representing Central Unit 2. Additionally, she is the Vice Chair of the Ohio Association of Education Support Professionals. She was a participant in the OEA ESP Educator Voice Academy and a 2023 NEA ESP Leadership Academy graduate. Joie is married to Greg, a fellow OEA member, and they have two adult children, who both graduated from Pickerington Schools, Frankie and Nick. In her downtime Joie enjoys spending time with her family, crafting, and reading. Daria DeNoia, OEA Education Policy and Practice Consultant In her role as an Education Policy and Practice Consultant for the Ohio Education Association, Daria DeNoia (she, her) advocates for best practices and equitable policies for Ohio educators at the state level, and provides professional development for OEA members that supports their teaching practices. She has been a special education teacher for young children with significant needs in an urban school district, an experiential pre-school teacher, and a program coordinator for an educational equity organization. Daria believes that communities are strongest when all people work together to create systems that support their needs, and works as a community organizer to build local power. She has her B.A. in English Literature and American Studies from Rutgers College, her M. Ed. in Special Education from the University of Dayton, achieved National Board Certification, and is a certified Restorative Practices Facilitator through IIRP. Connect with OEA:Email educationmatters@ohea.org with your feedback or ideas for future Public Education Matters topicsLike OEA on FacebookFollow OEA on TwitterFollow OEA on InstagramGet the latest news and statements from OEA hereLearn more about where OEA stands on the issues Keep up to date on the legislation affecting Ohio public schools and educators with OEA's Legislative WatchAbout us:The Ohio Education Association represents nearly 120,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals who work in Ohio's schools, colleges, and universities to help improve public education and the lives of Ohio's children. OEA members provide professional services to benefit students, schools, and the public in virtually every position needed to run Ohio's schools.Public Education Matters host Katie Olmsted serves as Media Relations Consultant for the Ohio Education Association. She joined OEA in May 2020, after a ten-year career as an Emmy Award-winning television reporter, anchor, and producer. Katie comes from a family of educators and is passionate about telling educators' stories and advocating for Ohio's students. She lives in Central Ohio with her husband and two young children. This episode was recorded on April 14 and 22, 2026...
In this bonus episode recorded live at the ASU+GSV summit in San Diego, we spoke with Geordie Hyland from the American College of Education about building a higher ed model centered on affordability, efficiency, and student outcomes. They explore how a fully online, in-house curriculum approach—combined with a focus on employer alignment and continuous improvement—can deliver high-quality education while keeping costs low and minimizing student debt. The conversation highlights the importance of rethinking traditional higher ed structures, emphasizing that institutions must prioritize clear ROI, student value, and sustainable operating models to remain relevant and accessible in today's evolving landscape. Guest Name: Geordie Hyland - President & Chief Executive Officer at American College of Education Guest Social: LinkedIn Guest Bio: Geordie Hyland is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the American College of Education (ACE) and is passionate about strengthening human capital and communities. Geordie's education management experience spans Higher Ed, K12, workforce development, allied health, clinical healthcare, continuing medical education and remedial training in online, virtual reality, simulated, hybrid and in-person modalities. Geordie is a former Googler and graduate of Harvard University, where he received a bachelor's degree in English and American literature as well as a master's in business administration from Harvard Business School. He also received a master's degree in industrial relations and personnel management from The London School of Economics and Political Science. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Dustin Ramsdellhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/dustinramsdell/About The Enrollify Podcast Network:The Higher Ed Geek is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you'll like other Enrollify shows too!Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Power Quote:Am I a manager of priorities or a builder of people?Teaser:After recording today's episode, I realized I needed to record the episodes on Strategic Action Cycles. Those episodes were a primer for this episode. If you haven't yet listened to past two episodes on Strategic Action Cycles, I encourage you to do it now as this episode will have a bigger impact if you are already familiar with some of the concepts we talk about. In today's show I talk with a former client about the work I did with them and what elements of that work have endured. Honestly, I did this episode as much for my own learning as yours. I hope you enjoy listening. Fill out this short form to receive your free Strategic Action Cycle guide.Sponsor Spot 1:So when it comes to student travel, I get why it can feel like a big lift. That's why I always point people toward Kaleidoscope Adventures. They've been doing this for more than 30 years, and they understand what schools actually need - clear communication, strong organization, and a plan that works. They handle the details, so you're not left piecing it all together yourself. If you've been on the fence about planning a trip, now is the time to reach out to my friends at Kaleidoscope Adventures. Visit mykatrip.com today and get your free quote today. Kaleidoscope Adventures – Travel Beyond Expectations.Show IntroWhen students practice math over the summer, math scores go up. So, what's your summer math plan this year? Whether you have no summer math program, or are curious about what a research-based program looks like. Check out Summer Pops for free. Get your FREE workbook samples today at Summer Pops Workbooks.com. The link is in the show notes.Guest Bio:Dr. Robert Maddox has invested more than four decades serving students and communities in a variety of roles as an educator in South Carolina public schools. Throughout his career, Robert has served as a teacher, coach, principal, and superintendent. He now works part-time in South Carolina's Lexington School District Four and, when not working with the district, devotes some of his free time to volunteering with various support organizations. Robert was also my first client for SLC, has been a huge supporter, colleague, and friend. There is a very good chance that, if not for his presence in my life, you would not be listening to this show because I would not have been inspired to do a podcast.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/PromptsHow do we build things that endure?Sometimes when we are busy working in our own gardens, we get so focused on the weeds that we forget about the seeds we planted and the flowers that are blooming. We worked together for a couple years around 2019-21. You are still on my daily email list and are kind enough to remind me frequently about some of the flowers that have sprung from seeds we planted together.Can you give a brief overview of how we worked together and why you chose the structures/formats we used?What has been the most enduring legacy of the work?What are the things you wish we could revisit?What's next for you and the district?Fill out this short form to receive your free Strategic Action Cycle guide.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 upAm I a manager of priorities or a builder of people?Daily processes (what do builders do every day?)Let me know if you need the SAC guide or implementation helpFill out this short form to receive your free Strategic Action Cycle guide.Special thanks to the amazing Ranford Almond for the great music on the show. Please support Ranford and the show by checking out his music!Ranford's homepage: https://ranfordalmond.comRanford's music on streaming services: https://streamlink.to/ranfordalmond-oldsoulInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ranfordalmond/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ranfordalmond/Sponsor Links:IXL: http://ixl.com/assistant Kaleidoscope Adventures: https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com/the-assistant-principal-podcast-kaleidoscope-adventures/Summer Pops: Summer Pops Workbooks.comCloseLeadership is a journey and thank you for choosing to walk some of this magical path with me.You can find links to all sorts of stuff in the show notes, including my website https://www.frederickbuskey.com/I love hearing from you. If you have comments or questions, or are interested in having me speak at your school or conference, email me at frederick@frederickbuske...
In this deeply personal episode, Andrea is joined by her husband, Bill Gribble, to share both sides of her journey through anxiety and depression - and his perspective is such an important reminder that loved ones need support and guidance, too.Andrea opens up about what anxiety and depression really felt like behind the scenes, even while life looked “fine” on the outside. It is an honest look at how heavy and confusing mental health struggles can be, especially for high achievers who are used to showing up no matter what.You'll hear the many things Andrea tried in her fight to feel better - from therapy, faith, journaling, exercise, nutrition, and supplements to ultimately deciding to use medication again.Bill shares practical encouragement for anyone walking alongside a spouse or loved one through anxiety or depression, including the importance of patience, reassurance, and taking care of your own well-being so you can keep showing up for them.Email: andrea@socialschool4edu.com Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreagribble/ Website: www.socialschool4edu.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/socialschool4edu Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/socialschool4edu/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SocialSchool4EDU USEFUL INFORMATIONIf you or a loved one needs immediate support, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.The Cortina Method - Learn more at Kate's website10 Practical Tips to Avoid Burnout in #SchoolPRYou're invited to our Social Media for Schools Retreat - Learn more here.Order your copy of my book Social Media for Schools: Proven Storytelling Strategies & Ideas to Celebrate Your Students & Staff - While Keeping Your Sanity now!Interested in our membership program? Learn more here: https://socialschool4edu.com/MORE RESOURCESFree Video Training: Learn the simple secrets behind social media for K12 schools!Sign up for our free e-newsletter - click herewww.SocialSchool4EDU.com
In this episode from the Transformative Leadership Summit, Jethro Jones sits down with Daniel Bauer, host of the Better Leaders, Better Schools podcast, to explore why relationships are the cornerstone of transformative leadership.Daniel shares a candid, real-time example: his principal's unexpected departure and how a culture of trust and connection shaped how the school community responded to the news. He makes a compelling case for succession planning — not as a contingency, but as an ongoing leadership responsibility. Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We're proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you're a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We're also 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
This conversation started 2 years ago, when I ran into Kelly McMahon at a summer conference. Kelly's a kindergarten teacher at Hoover Community School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and I was curious about what that label “community school” means in practice for teachers, students, and the community served by this new model for the area.I've since learned that just because your kids attend Ames Community School District, for example, that doesn't mean they attend a “community school.” Kelly put me in touch with Dave Greenberg and Angelia Ebner, senior policy analysts and community schools program specialists at the National Education Association, who have helped build and support thousands of community schools, as Angelia described it, from “coast to coast and border to border.”And no exploration of the community schools model could be complete without including the story of Sustainable Community Schools in Chicago. Just last year, Major Brandon Johnson announced a near doubling of the number of community schools in the city, bringing the number to 36.I spoke with foundational community organizer, advocate, and elected Chicago Public Schools Board Member, Jitu Brown, about how organizing for Sustainable Community Schools defused the push by elected officials for school closures, privatization, and charter-ization of Chicago Public Schools. For Jitu, the title of School Board member may be new, but he is Chicago born and raised, and he's been organizing around education and all of its related issues since the 90s.While there were just hundreds of community schools in the United States 15 years ago, today there are over 5,000 and growing in nearly every state in the nation. A consistent refrain from every person I spoke with for this episode was that community schools are the future of public education and the alternative to narratives about “failing public schools” that favor privatization as a solution.NEA - What are community schools?NEA - 5 Steps to Kickstarting Community Schools in Your DistrictNEA Community School Measurement Guidance Tool Chicago Sustainable Community Schools Eve Ewing - Ghosts in the Schoolyard: Racism and School Closings on Chicago's South SideYou can read out directly to Angelia & Dave @ NEA:aebner@nea.org | DGreenberg@nea.org
Episode #132 is up! Check it out!!!Special Guest Dr. Darian Jones joins Dr. Woods on episode #132 of Leading Out The Woods to discuss From Trauma to Transformation: Healing-Centered Leadership in Schools. In this episode, they explore how leaders can move beyond trauma-informed practices to adopt healing-centered approaches that prioritize relationships, restoration, and resilience. Together, they share strategies for creating supportive school environments that empower students and staff to grow, heal, and thrive.
On Episode 262, Josh, Chris, and Mark discuss the risks of edtech tools that add generative AI without age checks or strong guardrails, share a new K12 SIX resource and rubric for security essentials, and cover email security best practices. For the main topic, the guys talk about "secure email." Districts are being asked to send more sensitive information outside the network - to parents, agencies, vendors - but there's no shared standard for what "secure email" even means in K12. TLS encryption in transit isn't the same as end-to-end encryption. A password-protected PDF isn't a secure channel. And most staff don't know the difference. ———— Sponsored by: PowerGistics: How K-12 Charging Models Impact Chromebook Sustainability Textbooks Didn't have Cables Bring Chromebooks Back to the Classroom, but NOT Carts! One-Person Tech Department Success Story SysCloud Fortinet Extreme Networks ———— Join the K12TechPro Community (exclusively for K12 Tech professionals) Buy some swag (tech dept gift boxes, shirts, hoodies...)!!! Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com OR our "professional" email addy is info@k12techtalkpodcast.com X @k12techtalkpod Facebook Visit our LinkedIn Music by Colt Ball Disclaimer: The views and work done by Josh, Chris, and Mark are solely their own and do not reflect the opinions or positions of sponsors or any respective employers or organizations associated with the guys. K12 Tech Talk itself does not endorse or validate the ideas, views, or statements expressed by Josh, Chris, and Mark's individual views and opinions are not representative of K12 Tech Talk. Furthermore, any references or mention of products, services, organizations, or individuals on K12 Tech Talk should not be considered as endorsements related to any employer or organization associated with the guys.
Teacher Appreciation Week is May 4-8 this year, and across the country, we are celebrating the amazing educators who make a big difference for their students every day. This Teacher Appreciation Week, the host of this podcast is showing her appreciation for one educator in particular: Dr. Steve Kucinski, the high school English teacher who taught her how to find her voice and really think for herself. Twenty years after she was in his class, Katie sat down with Dr. K for this episode to share her personal thanks and messages from other former students, and to hear from him about his reflections on his career, the state of education, and what he hopes all of his students took away from their time with him over his 33 years in the classroom.CELEBRATE A GREAT TEACHER IN YOUR LIFE | This Teacher Appreciation Week, tell us about an amazing educator you know, and they could win a resort stay in Mexico from NEA Member Benefits, an Ohio State Fair experience package, gift cards, or other great prizes. Educators, parents, and students are all invited to submit nominations at www.ohea.org/ThankATeacherNomination deadline: May 10, 2026SUBSCRIBE | Click here to subscribe to Public Education Matters on Apple Podcasts or click here to listen on Spotify so you don't miss a thing. You can also find Public Education Matters on many other platforms. Click here for some of those links so you can listen anywhere. And don't forget you can listen to all of the previous episodes anytime on your favorite podcast platform, or by clicking here.Featured Public Education Matters guest:Dr. Steve Kucinski, Dublin Education Association memberDr. Steve Kucinski, Nationally Board Certified in 2002 and 2012, has taught middle and high school English for 32 years. He has a Bachelor's in English Education, a Master's in Educational Administration, and a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology and Adolescent Development from The Ohio State University, and is an adjunct lecturer there as well as at Otterbein University and Ashland University. Dr. Kucinski has taught at Dublin Coffman High School for the past 26 years, currently working with grades 9 and 11. In his district, he has served as department chair and district English Language Arts Lead Teacher. Dr. Kucinski has been committed to learning and growing in ways that will provide him knowledge and experience he can use to be a better instructor, such as scoring AP and SAT essays for College Board, as well as writing and evaluating questions for the ACT. Dr. Kucinski's publications include a young adult novel, Between Friends, and a Barron's Guide to the Ohio Graduation Test. Additionally, he delivered a TEDx Talk in Worthington in 2016 entitled, “Resolve to Enjoy the Goodness and Beauty in Each Other and in Life.” He enjoys collaborating with colleagues and presenting at conferences both locally and nationally, truly valuing the chances to learn from and to connect with others. His most recent work was a contribution to the online materials for an educational psychology textbook. Currently, Dr. Kucinski is passionate about innovation and creativity in teaching and learning, authentic assessment, and integrating technology meaningfully into the classroom. Dr. Kucinski was recently selected as the District 7 Ohio Teacher of the Year for 2024, the 2024 OCTELA Outstanding HS Educator, the 2024 NCTE HS Teacher of Excellence.More: https://stevekucinski.com/Connect with OEA:Email educationmatters@ohea.org with your feedback or ideas for future Public Education Matters topicsLike OEA on FacebookFollow OEA on TwitterFollow OEA on InstagramGet the latest news and statements from OEA hereLearn more about where OEA stands on the issues Keep up to date on the legislation affecting Ohio public schools and educators with OEA's Legislative WatchAbout us:The Ohio Education Association represents nearly 120,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals who work in Ohio's schools, colleges, and universities to help improve public education and the lives of Ohio's children. OEA members provide professional services to benefit students, schools, and the public in virtually every position needed to run Ohio's schools.Public Education Matters host Katie Olmsted serves as Media Relations Consultant for the Ohio Education Association. She joined OEA in May 2020, after a ten-year career as an Emmy Award-winning television reporter, anchor, and producer. Katie comes from a family of educators and is passionate about telling educators' stories and advocating for Ohio's students. She lives in Central Ohio with her husband and two young children. This episode was recorded on April 18, 2026.
Throwback Thursday! Building Molecular Literacy featuring Dr. Colleen KelleyOriginally Released On: 6-28-2024This week, we're revisiting one of our timeless episodes from Leading Out The Woods! In this episode:✅ Dr. Kelley discusses molecular literacy and how it is an essential component for a variety of career fields for students.✅ Dr. Kelley shares how she is creating comic books to get children engaged with chemistry.Whether you're hearing it for the first time or revisiting a classic, this conversation is packed with insights that still resonate today.
Recent research from Pearson shows that nearly $165B is lost each year when students can't find work after graduation. The transition from education to the workforce can be challenging to navigate. How can you help close the gap? We sat down with three powerhouse educators to get their thoughts. First, Matt Dombrowski. Matt is a Professor, Assistant Director, and Art Director for the nonprofit Limbitless Solutions, whose mission is providing cost free, accessible solutions to underserved communities. He leads an interdisciplinary student team in the creation of 3D printed, visually expressive bionic arms and video game training for children with limb difference. His work has been featured by Adobe, TEDx Youth, Huffington Post, Gamasutra, Fast Company, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, GDC, SXSWEDU, and the Gates Foundation. Matt is an Adobe Education Leader and an Adobe Partner By Design. Second, Dr. Kimberly Forbes. Dr. Forbes is the Director of Career and Technical Education (CTE) for Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools and a first-generation high school and college graduate. After a successful tenure in the banking industry managing startup operations, she transitioned to education, eventually earning her Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction in 2024. A recognized leader in workforce readiness, Dr. Forbes has served on the national "Launch" committee and was named the NCDPI Piedmont Triad Region's Administrator of the Year. She is deeply committed to administrative innovation and expanding industry credentialing to ensure all students, including special populations, are prepared for the modern economy. Third, Cynthia Krebs. Cynthia is the Program Director of Business Technologies and Education and a professor in the Information Systems and Technology Department at Utah Valley University. Since joining UVU in 1988, she has held multiple roles including Assistant Dean of the School of Business and Department Chair of the Digital Media Department and the Office Technology/Administration Department. In this episode, these three experts discuss strategies that prepare your students for real-world success. We hit a little bit of everything: Challenges students currently face Key skills your students need to prepare them for the workforce How to teach and empower students with AI expertise The role of certification and work-based learning experiences Creating a feedback loop between K12, higher education, and industry Ready to help your students confidently bridge the gap between education and the workforce? This episode is for you. Connect with educators like Matt, Kim, and Cynthia in our CERTIFIED Educator Community here. Don't miss your chance to register for our annual CERTIFIED Educator's Conference here.
Teaser:Today we dig into the second of our three-part series on the power of small change. Last week I covered some of the major challenges with BIG Change and then shared the four principles of leverage. I'll give a quick recap of the principles of leverage in a few minutes, but if you did not listen to part 1 I strongly urge you to go to it before listening to this episode. Sponsor Spot 1:If you've been scrolling through social media this Spring, you've probably seen some of your colleagues from other schools on a trip with their students. They're at Disney, Or D.C., or maybe even across the pond – and if you're inspired to start planning a future trip for your students, I highly recommend working with Kaleidoscope Adventures. The KA team has been planning student travel for over 30 years, and they make the whole process very easy. Check out Kaleidoscope Adventures at mykatrip.com and start planning an educational adventure your students will remember forever.Show IntroWhen students practice math over the summer, students learn and math scores go up. Join the growing list of schools offering at-home summer math enrichment through Summer Pops. If you are curious about what a research-based summer-math program looks like. Check out Summer Pops for free. Get your FREE workbook samples today at Summer Pops Workbooks.com. The link is in the show notes.Celebrations:Fresh spring lettuce?Key Points Four stages (like PDSA)IdentifyDevelopImplementEvaluateSponsor 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 http://ixl.com/assistant to get started.Key Points Part 2Summarizing (The big takeaway)PilotsImmediacy of valueNow's a good timeIt's messyLet me know if you'd like support facilitating this process (3+ days)Special thanks to the amazing Ranford Almond for the great music on the show. Please support Ranford and the show by checking out his music!Ranford's homepage: https://ranfordalmond.comRanford's music on streaming services: https://streamlink.to/ranfordalmond-oldsoulInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ranfordalmond/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ranfordalmond/Sponsor Links:IXL: http://ixl.com/assistant Kaleidoscope Adventures: https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com/the-assistant-principal-podcast-kaleidoscope-adventures/Summer Pops Workbooks: https://summerpopsworkbooks.com/ CloseLeadership is a journey and thank you for choosing to walk some of this magical path with me.You can find links to all sorts of stuff in the show notes, including my website https://www.frederickbuskey.com/I love hearing from you. If you have comments or questions, or are interested in having me speak at your school or conference, email me at frederick@frederickbuskey.com or connect with me on LinkedIn.If you are tired of spending time putting out fires and would rather invest time supporting and growing teachers, consider reading my book, A School Leader's Guide to Reclaiming Purpose. The book is available on Amazon. You can find links to it, as well as free book study materials on my website at https://www.frederickbuskey.com/reclaiming-purpose.html Please remember to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Remember the secret to good leadership:Be intentional in choosing how you will show up for othersBe fully presentAsk reflective questionsAnd then just listenDon't overcomplicate it, the value is in the listening.Have a great rest of the week!Cheers!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
Dan O'Brien shares how NESPRA supports school communicators through professional development, networking, and practical training for today's school PR challenges.Learn how Worcester Public Schools responded to an OCR accessibility complaint and used the experience to strengthen communication practices across the district.This episode explores why accessibility in school communications matters, from website compliance to inclusive content that better serves families and staff.You'll also hear how this district of 25,000 students approaches school PR and social media strategy to help Worcester build trust, improve perception, and highlight positive stories every day.SPECIAL GUESTDan O'BrienChief Communications Officer of the Worcester Public Schools & President of the New England School Public Relations AssociationMassachusettsEmail: danobrien155@gmail.com LinkedIn: Dan O'BrienWebsite: https://worcesterschools.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/worcesterschools Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worcesterschools X: https://x.com/worcesterpublicLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/worcester-public-schools/ USEFUL INFORMATIONFind out more about the upcoming conference on May 8, 2026 at www.ne-spra.org Click here for the Accessibility Webinar On DemandOrder your copy of my book Social Media for Schools: Proven Storytelling Strategies & Ideas to Celebrate Your Students & Staff - While Keeping Your Sanity now!Interested in our membership program? Learn more here: https://socialschool4edu.com/MORE RESOURCESFree Video Training: Learn the simple secrets behind social media for K12 schools!Sign up for our free e-newsletter - click herewww.SocialSchool4EDU.com
In this 'From the Vault' episode of the Transformative Leadership Summit, Jethro sits down with Kimberly Miles, principal of East Gresham Elementary School, to explore her remarkable approach to reading as a leadership practice. Kimberly shares how she strategically selects books — only picking them up after hearing multiple recommendations — and then digs deep using a layered annotation system of underlining, highlighting, color-coded tabs, and 3x5 index card summaries she keeps on hand for professional conversations. She discusses why leaders need to be diverse readers beyond education titles, how she uses books like Make It Stick and Thomas Friedman's work to broaden her thinking, and why she spent two years reading a single book with her staff — and why that was the right call. Whether it's leading book clubs with her leadership team, reading alongside her own adult children, or listening to audiobooks on her commute, Kimberly makes the case that intentional, slow, deep reading is one of the most powerful tools a leader can have. Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We're proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you're a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We're also 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
Ohio's public schools are facing an existential threat. If a measure to eliminate property taxes in Ohio makes it to the ballot and passes this fall, the results would be catastrophic for all of our public schools, students, communities, and local economies. Schools would close and consolidate, class sizes would balloon, programs would be eliminated, and we'd see massive layoffs of educators across the state - not to mention the devastating impact on other essential public services that are also funded by our property taxes. We need to be talking about this and telling everyone we know not to sign the petition. OEA Director of Government Relations Dan Ramos joins us for this episode to talk about how we got here and why eliminating property taxes without a plan to replace that funding is not the way to achieve needed property tax relief.GET THE FACTS | Click here for more information from OEA about school funding and property taxes in Ohio, including the catastrophic impact of the potential ballot measure to eliminate property taxes. DECLINE TO SIGN | Do not sign the petition to put this constitutional amendment on the ballot! Instead, click here to pledge not to sign the AxOHTax petition — and show that you're committed to protecting public schools, public safety, and your community.RSVP FOR THE NEXT TOWNHALL | OEA is hosting a series of virtual town halls to educate members about this critically important issue. Thursday, April 30, 2026 – 5 p.m.-6 p.m.Thursday, May 28, 2026 – 5 p.m.-6 p.m.Thursday, June 25, 2026 – 5 p.m.-6 p.m.Register at: https://ohea.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_FB_YR5P2QXqH2zpRYRgSRw LEARN MORE | OEA is part of a growing statewide coalition of educators, parents, first responders, seniors, and community members standing together against AxOHTax. Learn more at protectpublicservices.org. Featured Public Education Matters guest: Dan Ramos, OEA Director of Government RelationsDan Ramos is from Lorain, Ohio, where he attended school at St. John the Baptist and Lorain Southview High School. After graduating high school in 2003, Dan obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science, International Affairs and Philosophy from Baldwin Wallace College in Berea, OH in 2007. Through the 2008 presidential election cycle, he joined the Obama for America campaign, working to help elect President Obama in northeastern Ohio. In 2009, Dan was hired by the Service Employees' International Union (SEIU) District 1199 WV/OH/KY. Initially working with SEIU as an Administrative Organizer, representing and negotiating contracts for SEIU's state employees' division, he became SEIU 1199's Political and Legislative Liaison in late 2010. In 2011, Dan worked with fellow labor lobbyists and attorneys in the effort to stop Senate Bill 5 while it was in the General Assembly, and then lead SEIU's efforts field in Central and Northeast Ohio to collect signatures referendum and then defeat SB 5 on the November 2011 ballot. In 2012, Dan moved to the Ohio Education Association. Dan has served as OEA's Political Advocacy Consultant, where he was responsible for growing OEA's member political action and legislative advocacy, increasing OEA's PAC membership, the Fund for Children and Public Education, and assisting in OEA's political coalitions, such as LEAD Ohio and the America Votes Coalition. In 2018, Dan Ramos moved to Cincinnati, Ohio where he served as a Labor Relations Consultant for the Warren County Leadership Council, representing over 2,400 certified and classified K-12 teachers and ESPs.Dan returned to his political role with OEA in 2021, returning as a UniServ Political Advocacy Consultant and then moving into his current role as the Manager of Government Relations in May of 2022. Now, as the Director of Government Relations, Dan heads up OEA's efforts to engage the Ohio General Assembly and Members of Congress to advance OEA's legislative policy priorities, build relationships with Ohio's elected officials, and engage members in advocacy and accountability programs. Dan also helps coordinate OEA's political, coalition, and electoral programs. Connect with OEA:Email educationmatters@ohea.org with your feedback or ideas for future Public Education Matters topicsLike OEA on FacebookFollow OEA on TwitterFollow OEA on InstagramGet the latest news and statements from OEA hereLearn more about where OEA stands on the issues Keep up to date on the legislation affecting Ohio public schools and educators with OEA's Legislative WatchAbout us:The Ohio Education Association represents nearly 120,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals who work in Ohio's schools, colleges, and universities to help improve public education and the lives of Ohio's children. OEA members provide professional services to benefit students, schools, and the public in virtually every position needed to run Ohio's schools.Public Education Matters host Katie Olmsted serves as Media Relations Consultant for the Ohio Education Association. She joined OEA in May 2020, after a ten-year career as an Emmy Award winning television reporter, anchor, and producer. Katie comes from a family of educators and is passionate about telling educators' stories and advocating for Ohio's students. She lives in Central Ohio with her husband and two young children. This episode was recorded on April 9, 2026.
Matt Ebert didn't set out to build a billion-dollar business—he just wanted to fix cars the right way. Today, he's the CEO of Crash Champions, one of the fastest-growing collision repair companies in the country, valued in the billions and trusted to bring wrecked vehicles back to life. Mike sits down with Matt to unpack what really happens after a crash, why the skilled trades behind collision repair matter more than ever, and how a kid with no grand plan or college degree wound up leading a national powerhouse. Along the way, Matt tells how he got his start in the business, proving that sometimes the road to success begins with a single accident (or two) … and a desire to fix it. Many thanks to our excellent sponsors ZipRecruiter.com/Rowe to post a job for FREE. GoodRanchers.com Use code MIKE to get $25 off your first order and FREE meat for life. K12.com/Rowe See what's possible for your child with K12's Career and College Prep AuraFrames.com/Mike Use code Mike to get $25 off their best-selling Carver Mat frame.
Today's guest brings such a practical perspective for women in school leadership, especially when it comes to speaking up about your strengths, advocating for your work, and building confidence in a way that feels authentic.If burnout has been creeping in, this episode will really hit home. Rebecca unpacks how unclear roles, weak boundaries, and always saying yes can quietly push high-achievers past their limit.One of the most powerful ideas in this conversation is to treat self-advocacy as a strategic communications plan. You'll hear how to track your accomplishments, connect them to goals, and share them at the right time.This episode is a great reminder that leadership is not about doing everything yourself. Rebecca shares how setting boundaries, saying no more intentionally, and focusing on what actually moves the work forward can change everything.SPECIAL GUESTRebecca Malotke-MeslinLeadership Coach & SpeakerPleasantly Aggressive, IllinoisEmail: pleasantlyaggressive@gmail.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/malotke-meslin/ Website: https://www.pleasantlyaggressive.com/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/pleasantlyaggressive Instagram: https://instagram.com/pleasantlyaggressive TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pleasantlyaggressive USEFUL INFORMATIONOrder your copy of my book Social Media for Schools: Proven Storytelling Strategies & Ideas to Celebrate Your Students & Staff - While Keeping Your Sanity now!Interested in our membership program? Learn more here: https://socialschool4edu.com/MORE RESOURCESFree Video Training: Learn the simple secrets behind social media for K12 schools!Sign up for our free e-newsletter - click herewww.SocialSchool4EDU.com
I discus some more examples of the ongoing civil war for influence in America and abroad, with the Iran operation and the real reasons behind it; I discuss a. few examples of the ongoing K12 degradation that exists; the new nominee for CDC head may be an exposure op also? Doc Link: https://www.bitchute.com/video/9mHSWmCaLmZg Book Websites: HERE and HERE. https://www.moneytreepublishing.com/shop PROMO CODE: “AEFM” for 10% OFF, or https://armreg.co.uk PROMO CODE: "americaneducationfm" for 15% off all books and products. (I receive no kickbacks). https://www.thriftbooks.com/ Q posts book: https://drive.proton.me/urls/JJ78RV1QP8#yCO0wENuJQPH
In this episode, Mike sits down with Alisha DeLorenzo, educator and consultant from New Jersey, to explore her powerful framework of "Unleash Aliveness." Alisha shares how a deeply personal encounter with loss sparked her mission to help schools move from feeling like a "zombie apocalypse" to places of genuine energy and engagement.Key Takeaways:Aliveness is created when people feel significant and heardChange doesn't come from big initiatives — it comes from small, community-led sprintsLeaders don't need all the answers; the wisdom is already in the buildingTransformative principals are positively disruptive, human-centered, and willing to get out of the wayLinks:LinkedIn: Alisha De LorenzoInstagram: @alishadelorenzoWebsite: alishadelorenzo.com Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We're proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you're a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We're also 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
Authentic learning has always required a connection to a real context. However, in a generative age, where AI cannot “read the room,” contextual thinking has become more important than ever. In this article and podcast episode, I explore the implications of this and share six... The post Contextual Thinking is Becoming Vital in the Age of AI appeared first on Spencer Education.
Disclaimer: this episode was recorded before recent events have transpired. I am so grateful for your understanding and support Love, LindsieCC: 473 Kail and Lindsie are back for a conversation that starts off light and quickly turns into one of those episodes. What begins as a sleepover-style catch-up takes a sharp turn into a bigger discussion about parenting, responsibility, the messages kids are getting from reality TV, and what happens when adults stop acting like adults.As the conversation unfolds, they get honest about the realities of teen pregnancy, the difference between support and enabling, and why some topics deserve a lot more attention than they're getting. It's passionate, unfiltered, and one of those episodes where the conversation keeps getting bigger the longer it goes on. Please listen with an open mind and an open heart! Get your Fatherless Behavior Tour Tickets herePlease vote for us in the lifestyle category here!For full videos head to patreon.com/kaillowry To send in your Foul Plays email us at info@coffeeconvos.comThank you for checking out our sponsors!This episode is brought to you by booking.com. Head over to Booking.com and start your listing today.K12: See why more than 3 million families have chosen K12 find a K12 Powered School near you today! Go to K12.com/COFFEECONVOS to learn more.Chime: Join the millions who are already banking fee free today. Head to Chime.com/COFFEE. Honey Love: Save 20% Off Honeylove by going to honeylove.com/Coffee #honeylovepodLittle Spoon: Try Little Spoon Formula with their 2 can trial pack (Buy 1, Get 1 free - that's $30 for 2 cans),which is great if you're easing into the transition at littlespoon.com/TRYFORMULASee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
CC:471 Kail and Lindsie are back for a very real conversation about what it looks like to keep showing up when life feels anything but steady. From starting trauma therapy and recognizing unhealthy patterns to trying to make hard decisions when your head and heart are nowhere near the same page, this episode is a reminder that healing is rarely neat, simple, or convenient.They also get into the pressure of parenting through personal struggles, the weight of co-parenting logistics, and why sometimes the strongest thing you can do is pause instead of forcing an answer. And because this is Coffee Convos, the episode also takes a turn into pop culture drama, parenting debates, and the kind of honest conversation that feels like catching up with friends who say the quiet part out loud.Get your Fatherless Behavior Tour Tickets hereFor full videos head to patreon.com/kaillowry To send in your Foul Plays email us at info@coffeeconvos.comThank you for checking out our sponsors!Better Help: This episode is brought to you by Better Help. Visit betterhealth.com/coffee today to get 10% off,K12: See why more than 3 million families have chosen K12 find a K12 Powered School near you today! Go to K12.com/COFFEECONVOS to learn more.Fabletics: Get 80% off everything, including the Khloe Collection when you sign up as a new VIP at Fabletics.com/coffeeconvos, take a quick style quiz, and be sure to select coffeeconvos when prompted to unlock your 80% off.Skims: Shop our favorite bras and underwear at SKIMS.com. After you place your order, be sure to let them know we sent you! Select "podcast" in the survey and be sure to select our show in the dropdown menu that follows.Leesa: Go to Leesa.com for 20% off mattresses PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code COFFEE, exclusive for our listeners.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
CC: 469 If your group chat could spiral in real time, it would sound like this episode of Coffee Convos.Kail and Lindsie bring their usual mix of honesty, and completely unpredictable conversation as they jump from relatable mom life to the kind of topics only they could turn into a full discussion. It's unfiltered, funny, and feels exactly like catching up with the friend who always says what everyone else is thinking.For full videos head to patreon.com/kaillowry To send in your Foul Plays email us at info@coffeeconvos.comGet your Kitty Gang merch hereThank you for checking out our sponsors!Progressive: To get your auto insurance quote head to progressive.comRoBody: Find out if you're covered for free at ro.com/coffeeconvosK12: See why more than 3 million families have chosen K12 find a K12 Powered School near you today! Go to K12.com/COFFEECONVOS to learn more.Chime: Join the millions who are already banking fee free today. Head to Chime.com/COFFEE. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Mike talks with Jan Jekielek, senior editor at The Epoch Times and host of American Thought Leaders, to discuss his new book, Killed to Order: China's Organ Harvesting Industry and the True Nature of America's Biggest Adversary. It's an explosive investigation into allegations of state-sanctioned organ harvesting in China. Jan shares what he's learned from years of interviews with doctors, investigators, and even survivors of this gruesome industry where political prisoners are killed for their organs. The conversation is a rumination on good versus evil, raising urgent questions about human rights and medical ethics. Referenced in this episode is Jan's previous appearance on TWIHI 438: Jan Jekielek—The Terrible Truth About China Big thanks to our awesome sponsors K12.com/Rowe See what's possible for your child with K12's Career and College Prep ZipRecruiter.com/Rowe to post a job for FREE. MDriveForMen.com Use code ROWE for 20% off your first order. FoldsofHonor.org/scholarship to donate or apply.