Podcast appearances and mentions of wendy oliver

This episode is part of the Summer of AI Series, brought to you by SchoolAI, Scrible, and FocalPointK12.Jethro Jones is interviewing Kiran Athota, CEO of FocalPoint Education, and Dr. Wendy Oliver, Chief Learning Officer at FocalPoint,K12, Inc. The discussion centered around the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education and its impact on student engagement and personalized learning.Athota and Oliver delved into the distinction between AI assistants and human teachers, emphasizing the importance of teachers in catching plagiarism and guiding students. They acknowledged the fear surrounding new technology but highlighted the benefits of AI in understanding student knowledge better than ever before.The conversation also touched on the role of AI in assessing student progress and skills. Athota and Oliver stressed the need for authentic and personalized measures of growth, moving away from traditional assessments. They emphasized the importance of partnerships in education, with teachers and students actively involved in the development of AI tools. ChatGPT vs. Generative AI.  Georgia Tech's Experiment Students not know the difference between AI assistant and professor.  Any student can plagiarize  The best tool is the teacher to catch plagiarism  Teachers and students should know how to use it.  We are afraid of new technology.  AudioPen AI Discussing plagiarism and how to make choices around it.  How FocalPoint is using AI.  Giving teachers back time for their work.  Using ChatGPT for scoring  Multi-dimensional score  Building a learner profile and informing the personalization of education  Student engagement  Standards work has already been there.  How to make it more engaging for kids.  “I already know the student is struggling, how do I get them from here to here?”  Generative AI is giving us engagement  Technology is at a point where we can understand what students know better than ever.  AI can pull in questions/assignments/activities/etc. for growth that are aligned to kids' interests and skills.  Ugh, another diagnostic…  We need to find other ways to assess students  Parents found that they have a voice and choice in education.  We need partners, not vendors, in education.  Developed with teachers and students in mind.  If we have a good authentic way to measure student progress and skills, you don't need the assessment.  - Starting to see trends and growth in policy and procedure in Education.About Kiran AthotaKiran Athota has always been at the forefront of edtech innovations. As chief architect for GADOE's longitudinal data system, he won national attention from EdWeek and the Data Quality Campaign. He subsequently was the first to introduce single-sign-on to K12 education. As co-founder and CEO of FocalPoint Education, he led his team in groundbreaking developments in an xAPI-enabled adaptive learning platform, and assessment platform and overcame education data silos with FocalPoint's proprietary data-interoperability model. Most recently, he and FocalPoint have introduced blockchain student credentialing to serve the CTE segment and national trade and professional credentialing associations.About Wendy Oliver, Ed.D.With more than 20 years of experience in digital education, Dr. Wendy Oliver, a Tennessee teacher and administrator, thrives when implementing innovative learning models and creating amazing learning experiences for students. Throughout her career, Wendy has had the opportunity to develop and pioneer a district, TN's state-wide, and international digital learning programs.  She served as the Chief Learning Architect for Arizona State University's digital charter network of schools and recently launched a network of private, for-profit schools.  Wendy created Oliver's Frameworks for Blended and Online Instruction, and subsequently, a software that allows teacher to self-assess their knowledge of instruction in each respective environment, a software that has been implemented in multiple districts and states. Her leadership expertise, experience as a certified scrum master, hands-on knowledge of digital learning and curriculum design, paired with her expertise in assessment and evaluation, are leveraged to design innovative, learner-centered solutions in her role as Chief Learning Officer at FocalPoint,K12, Inc. Support our SponsorsSchoolAI: The Classroom Operating System: Help your teachers save 10 hours a week. Sign up for a free account and see new AI-generated experiences that will change the way you teach.Scrible: Worried about AI Plagiarism? Take the high road and improve your students' skills before they feel the need to cheat with this modern research and writing platform for schoolFocalPointK12: Manage student portfolios that they can take with them with blockchain technology and AI assisted grading. Listen to our interview with the founder and chief learning officer here.

Experiences, Hope, Resilience, and the Fight for a Sustainable Future for All.   Wendy Oliver, Program Director VoLo Foundation  Daniel Gibson, Regional Vice President - Miami, Allegany Franciscan Ministries  Andi Allen, State Director, Best Buddies  Andi Allen is the State Director of Best Buddies in Florida where she works with a team of 41 employees to enhance the lives of those living with intellectual and developmental disabilities through programs focused on developing one-to-one friendships, integrated employment opportunities, inclusive living and leadership development. Ms. Allen manages all facets of State development and operations, placing an emphasis on quality programmatic delivery, fiscal sustainability, mission expansion and diversifying funding sources. Through the efforts of Ms. Allen, generous donors and staff partners, Best Buddies in Florida successfully supports 251 jobs participants, 325 school friendship chapters and over 10,000 total participants spanning 26 counties and 120 cities throughout the State of Florida.   

In the Replay today, Kevin gets into a big issue for homeowners...insurance fraud by roofers. Why is it happening? The Horror Story today is about Dave's frustration with the paver patio project that just won't end. In this fourth week of our five-week-long Real Estate Round Up, we get local market reports from two accomplished, Maryland realtors...one from the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay, the other from the eastern shore. Wendy Oliver, the number 3 realtor in Coldwell Banker Mid-Atlantic i reports on Annapolis and Anne Arundel County. Chuck Mangold, a principal in the Easton, MD-based firm, Benson & Mangold, covers Talbot County on the eastern shore, with special emphasis on Easton, a town currently undergoing a culinary, cultural and architectural Renaissance. From there, we go south to North Carolina's Research Triangle to get a sense of that market from Kate Steadman of Choice Residential Real Estate in Raleigh.

We continue this chapter – “Creating and Sustaining Love” – with MY GIRLS Shanaz Green, Wendy Oliver and Abby Spence. I have the pleasure of being in a group chat with these three working professionals, wives, and mothers. Group chat conversations – which range from vent sessions and cute pics of babies to child-rearing recos and praise reports – have given me a front-row seat to the beauty and work that goes into healthy partnership. Today, we bring the group chat to the pod.   In this episode you'll hear: A love letter to husbands Why my friends are looking forward to turning 40  The truth about having kids and keeping the spark alive What each friend wishes she would've known about marriage and motherhood before this season of life Join our Community I'd love if you'd join the mailing list as we create a community of folks who believe in duality, love and growth. Sign up for the newsletter at https://www.simonekeelah.com/. Social Media Wendy's Instagram: @exaltedbeautybywendy Shanaz's Instagram: @nazzybaby Sōl Talk Instagram: @thesoltalk Simone Keelah Instagram: @simonekeelah

Dr. Wendy Oliver-Pyatt is a world-leading expert on treating eating disorders. With more than 25 years of clinical experience, she has developed four separate treatment programs, all grounded on a strong bio-psycho-social foundation, and incorporating intensive psychotherapy, with behavioral foundations, and high medical standards. Wendy received her specialty training at New York University-Bellevue Hospital in New York City, she has also held faculty positions at New York University, Albert Einstein School of Medicine and University of Nevada School of Medicine. Wendy is Board Certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and in both Adult and Addiction Psychiatry.  She is the author of two books, most recently Questions and Answers on Binge Eating Disorder, A Guide for Clinicians. She is a Fellow of the Academy for Eating Disorders and the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals. She has received Senatorial Recognition for her commitment to the mental health treatment community. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Our disciplinary practices have histories that are important to acknowledge and share with our students. In this episode Lindsay Guarino, Carlos Jones, and Wendy Oliver join us to discuss jazz dance, its roots, and how instructors can  decolonize the curriculum.  Lindsay is an Associate Professor of Dance and Chair of the Department of Music, Theatre and Dance at Salve Regina University. Carlos Jones is a Professor of Musical Theater and Dance and Associate Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at the State University of New York College at Buffalo. He is also a performer and choreographer whose works have appeared on television, film, and regional theater. Wendy Oliver is a Professor of Dance and Chair of the Department of Theatre, Dance and Film at Providence College. Lindsey, Carlos, and Wendy are co-editors of Rooted Jazz Dance: Africanist Aesthetics and Equity in the Twenty-First Century.

Dr. Wendy Oliver-Pyatt is a Board Certified psychiatrist, a mom, a writer and a clinician who uses a bio-psycho-social model to help patients with all types of mental health conditions and a variety of undiagnosed health problems, move onto a pathway for a healthful, creative, and meaningful life. Dr. Oliver-Pyatt believes that the relationship between the patient and their doctor, therapist, and entire treatment team must be built on knowledge, compassion, and empathy. Described by colleagues as warm and wise, Dr. Oliver-Pyatt is known for her holistic approach to psychiatry—an approach that marries compassionate care with scientifically sound, multi-dimensional treatment, that explores and heals the underlying factors that drive whatever the conditions are faced by her patients. She founded Within Health and  Galen Hope Treatment Center to meet the unmet needs of individuals who experience eating disorders and mental health struggles, which provide both virtual and in-person comprehensive, multidisciplinary treatment. In her past, the Center for Hope of the Sierras, Oliver-Pyatt Centers, Clementine Adolescent Treatment Program; and Embrace, the Binge Eating Disorder Treatment Program. Dr. Oliver-Pyatt served on the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations Technical Advisory Committee, has given frequent presentations at national and international eating disorder conferences, and has been featured on WebMD. We discuss topics including: The unmet need to treat everybody The importance to have a community while you are at your home environment during treatment The quality of relationships Having a care partner Also “real time” communication using her app within her program Within Health _________________________________ This episode is sponsored by my ClearStep. ClearStep is on a mission to revolutionize care for clients suffering from eating disorders. They do this by finding a simple, anxiety-free virtual experience for clients and families. Their numberless scales are the first HIPPA compliant solution to provide a blind weigh-in for clients and seamless access to the data for clinicians.    If you go onto their website www.myclearstep.com and type in the promo code “theeatingdisordertrap” to receive a 10% discount on your purchase of a ClearStep numberless scale. ________________________ If you have any questions regarding the topics discussed on this podcast, please reach out to Robyn directly via email: rlgrd@askaboutfood.com You can also connect with Robyn on social media by following her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review on iTunes and subscribe. Visit Robyn's private practice website where you can subscribe to her free monthly insight newsletter, and receive your FREE GUIDE “Maximizing Your Time with Those Struggling with an Eating Disorder”. For more information on Robyn's book “The Eating Disorder Trap”, please visit the Official "The Eating Disorder Trap" Website. “The Eating Disorder Trap” is also available for purchase on Amazon.

FETC 2022 - Kiran Athota - Leveraging blockchain for building lifelong learner credential portfolios Social Media Username(s) @FocalPointK21 wendyoliver@galileoeducation.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/edutechguys-conference/support

In this episode, Karin is joined by Dr. Wendy Oliver-Pyatt, Board Certified psychiatrist, mom, writer, and clinician who uses a bio-psycho-social model to help patients with all types of mental health conditions and a variety of undiagnosed health problems, move onto a pathway for a healthful, creative, and meaningful life. A leader in the field of eating disorders, Dr. Oliver-Pyatt, has developed innovative eating disorder treatment programs, served as the AED Advocacy Committee Chairman, and Co-authored AED Guidelines for Obesity Prevention. She is a Fellow of the Academy for Eating Disorder and Fellow of International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (iaedp). She founded Galen Hope Treatment Center in April of 2021. On October 2, 2021, Wendy publicly announced the launch of Within Health, an accessible, expert driven, comprehensive, clinical treatment program with a mission to “cure all forms of eating disorders by making the very best treatments available.”Join Karin and Wendy for a discussion on shifting perceived “weakness”, attunement in the client relationship, upholding expectations and accountability as an expression of hope, Within Health's approach to eating disorder care, using exposure therapy to make peace with food, changing the mindset of treatment refractory to healing experiences, and much more!CONNECT WITH WENDY:• Get to know Dr. Wendy Oliver-Pyatt• Learn about Within's Virtual Care Treatment and Care including:￮ Approach￮ Technology￮ Cost and Coverage• View Within's eating disorder resources• Meet the Within team• Subscribe to Within Health's blog• Contact Within Health• Follow Within on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿Apply to be a guest on the show here!

On episode 38 of Building the Bridge, author, educator and consultant Mike Anderson shared his insights on self-care for teachers and parents, drawing upon his book, The Well-Balanced Teacher, and his “Beat Teacher Burnout” online institute. Mike and Dr. Oliver had such a productive conversation with so much left to address that he has returned for a second conversation. The discussion continues by addressing the unrealistic expectations educators often set for themselves before transitioning into topics related to student expectations and motivation. Dr. Oliver chats with Mike about his latest book, Tackling the Motivation Crisis: How to Activate Student Learning Without Behavior Charts, Pizza Parties, or Other Hard-to-Quit Incentive Systems. In this episode, we learn how to set realistic and tangible goals, how to approach (and avoid) unrealistic expectations for our children just as we must do for ourselves, and why incentive and reward systems don't always work. We'll also identify six intrinsic motivators that we can build upon to bolster the success of our students. About Our Guest: Mike Anderson has been an educator for more than 25 years. An elementary school teacher for 15 years, he has also taught preschool and university graduate level classes. He spent many years as a presenter, consultant, author, and developer for Northeast Foundation for Children, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping create safe, joyful, and challenging classrooms and schools. In 2004 Anderson received a national Milken Educator Award, and in 2005 he was a finalist for New Hampshire Teacher of the Year. Now, as an education consultant, Anderson works with schools in rural, urban, and suburban settings. He is the author of many books about great teaching and learning, including The Well-Balanced Teacher (ASCD, 2010), Learning to Choose, Choosing to Learn (ASCD, 2016), and his latest, Tackling the Motivation Crisis (ASCD, 2021). Mike has developed a series of online courses called “The Beat Teacher Burnout Institute.” Learn more about all of Mike's work at https://leadinggreatlearning.com. Follow him on Twitter @balancedteacher About the Host: Dr. Wendy Oliver is a highly qualified Tennessee teacher and administrator who has pioneered digital learning across multiple states and school districts. She has authored digital teaching standards and developed software that allows teachers to self-assess their knowledge of digital instruction. No matter which hat she's wearing, her goal is simple -- to empower learners. Follow Dr. Oliver on Twitter @oliver_dr

Award-winning educator, author and education consultant Mike Anderson is the guest on today's episode, as we continue the conversation about wellness that we started with Danielle Nuhfer in our previous episode. Anderson explains that as teachers and parents, we see ourselves as caregivers and, therefore, we may feel that it's always our job to give care. This feeling can make it very difficult to give ourselves permission to take time for self-care. He provides great detail on the importance of carving out the time to care for ourselves, explaining the benefits this has for our colleagues, students and children. This is a critically important concept to grasp early in the school year, so we can plan intentionally before burnout sets in. Additionally, Anderson describes how habits – both bad and good – can build over time. His perspective is that small changes we can stick with are much better than big changes we can't sustain. Each step adds up and guides us down a path. Listen to the interview in its entirety for some inspiration from an expert who has discovered ways to avoid burnout and take meaningful steps toward self-care and overall fulfillment. About Our Guest: Mike Anderson has been an educator for more than 25 years. An elementary school teacher for 15 years, he has also taught preschool and university graduate level classes. He spent many years as a presenter, consultant, author, and developer for Northeast Foundation for Children, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping create safe, joyful, and challenging classrooms and schools. In 2004 Anderson received a national Milken Educator Award, and in 2005 he was a finalist for New Hampshire Teacher of the Year. Now, as an education consultant, Anderson works with schools in rural, urban, and suburban settings. He is the author of many books about great teaching and learning, including The Well-Balanced Teacher (ASCD, 2010) and Learning to Choose, Choosing to Learn (ASCD, 2016). Mike has developed a series of online courses called “The Beat Teacher Burnout Institute.” Learn more about all of Mike's work at https://leadinggreatlearning.com. Follow him on Twitter @balancedteacher About the Host: Dr. Wendy Oliver is a highly qualified Tennessee teacher and administrator who has pioneered digital learning across multiple states and school districts. She has authored digital teaching standards and developed software that allows teachers to self-assess their knowledge of digital instruction. No matter which hat she's wearing, her goal is simple -- to empower learners. Follow Dr. Oliver on Twitter @oliver_dr

Mindfulness is a topic of great importance as we cope with our surroundings and all of the changes that have taken place over the last 18 months. Normally, we begin to discuss burnout among educators as we approach Thanksgiving, but after the past two years, many educators and parents are already feeling quite worn down to begin the new school year. In this episode, we hear from Danielle Nuhfer, author of the new book The Path of the Mindful Teacher: How to choose calm over chaos and serenity over stress, one step at a time, and dive right into mindfulness strategies to support better self-care and wellness. Danielle discusses the little things that we can do – for parents, students and teachers alike - to practice mindfulness. In this interview, we learn that the buildup of small practices of mindfulness can have a tremendous impact over time. She also points out that self-care does not have to be something extravagant. It can be something simple that helps us to clear our heads and be present in the moment. Tune in to hear her advice and how we can “choose calm over chaos” one step at a time. Learn more about Danielle's work at https://teachingwell.life About Our Guest: Danielle A. Nuhfer, M.Ed. has been teaching for 20 years, studying mindfulness for 10, and combining those fields for five. She is the founder of Teaching Well. As an ICF-certified coach and Mindful Schools instructor, Danielle provides teacher wellness coaching and other services to time-crunched teachers trying to find time for self-care. The Path of the Mindful Teacher is her first book. Danielle lives on a small urban homestead in Pennsylvania, US, with her husband, two young sons, a dog, a rabbit, and lots of honey bees. About the Host: Dr. Wendy Oliver is a highly qualified Tennessee teacher and administrator who has pioneered digital learning across multiple states and school districts. She has authored digital teaching standards and developed software that allows teachers to self-assess their knowledge of digital instruction. No matter which hat she's wearing, her goal is simple -- to empower learners. Follow Dr. Oliver on Twitter @oliver_dr

What does it mean to be under-connected? On this episode, Dr. Vikki Katz shares insights from a recent research report on the levels of technology access and internet connectivity in U.S. households. Dr. Katz and Dr. Wendy Oliver discuss the recent paper, Learning at Home While Under-Connected: Findings from a National Phone Survey of Parents during the Pandemic, which Dr. Katz co-authored with Victoria Rideout. You'll hear how “under-connected” is defined, how lower income families have supported each other during the COVID-19 pandemic, what parents have learned during this pandemic year-plus, and the compelling evidence that digital inequity prevents social equality. As students have engaged in online learning, parents have gained a great perspective on their children's strengths and how to help them flourish as students. Further, families have engaged in “digital teamwork,” helping one another navigate new technology. While we still have a long way to go in creating digital equity, you won't want to miss this conversation that highlights some of the positives families have experienced. To read the full paper, visit: https://www.newamerica.org/education-policy/reports/learning-at-home-while-underconnected/ Access many more resources, including a survey to find out if the families in your community are under-connected, at: https://www.newamerica.org/education-policy/collections/learning-at-home-while-under-connected-project/ About Our Guest: Dr. Vikki Katz is an Associate Professor in the School of Communication and Information, and Affiliate Graduate Faculty in Sociology, at Rutgers University. She conducts research with children growing up in low-income and immigrant families. Dr. Katz examines how working class, low income, and immigrant children and their families adopt and integrate technology into family routines and learning experiences. She also investigates how parents and children manage interactions in U.S. social institutions, including schools, healthcare facilities, and courts. Dr. Katz serves on the Board of Directors for the National Center for Families Learning and the Advisory Board for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting-Public Broadcasting Service (CPB-PBS) Ready to Learn Program, which supports development of educational media targeted at preschool and early elementary school-aged children and their families to promote early learning and school readiness. She advises numerous PBS affiliates on creating and adapting content for immigrant families with young children, and for families who have inconsistent internet connectivity. Learn more about her work at https://vikkikatz.com/ About the Host: Dr. Wendy Oliver is a highly qualified Tennessee teacher and administrator who has pioneered digital learning across multiple states and school districts. She has authored digital teaching standards and developed software that allows teachers to self-assess their knowledge of digital instruction. No matter which hat she's wearing, her goal is simple -- to empower learners. Follow Dr. Oliver on Twitter @oliver_dr

Continuing our series of episodes centered on social-emotional learning (SEL), Dr. Oliver welcomes Rachel Barrachina, a digital content coordinator at Discovery Education. Rachel and Discovery Education collaborated with community and corporate partners in April 2021 to create the Social-Emotional Learning Center, a library of digital resources that support the integration of SEL and wellness into classroom core instruction. In this interview, you'll learn how and why SEL is for everybody, why it matters, and how it can be integrated into the curriculum. You'll also hear about the various resources the SEL Center provides and the importance of this curated service for different grade bands for students, resources for educators, and resources for administrators. Learn much more about the resources references in this episode: Discovery Education: https://www.discoveryeducation.com/ Social-Emotional Learning Coalition: https://selcoalition.org/ About Our Guest: Rachel Barrachina is a Digital Content Coordinator at Discovery Education. Rachel is devoted to producing high-quality and engaging curricular resources to ensure all students, and especially children of color, receive an equitable education. Previously, she was a 4th grade ELA teacher in Hartford, CT, and high school Earth Science educator in Washington, D.C. She earned her bachelor's degree in Geoscience at Skidmore College and her Master's degree in Education Advocacy and Policy at Georgetown University. Her experience in federal education policy and classroom teaching continues to support her work at Discovery Education. About the Host: Dr. Wendy Oliver is a highly qualified Tennessee teacher and administrator who has pioneered digital learning across multiple states and school districts. She has authored digital teaching standards and developed software that allows teachers to self-assess their knowledge of digital instruction. No matter which hat she's wearing, her goal is simple -- to empower learners. Follow Dr. Oliver on Twitter @oliver_dr

As we continue our series covering all aspects of social-emotional learning (SEL), Dr. Oliver interviews Christina Broderick, founder and CEO of IgnitEDU. Christina is a Licensed Social Worker, a Psychotherapist, a Certified School Social Worker, and an Adjunct Professor, who is passionate about ensuring mental health and that it becomes a priority for all. In this episode, Christina shares the importance of mental health literacy, how to approach mental wellness, and how we can support students holistically with respect to their mental health. Given the challenges all students have encountered during the pandemic, as well as the ever-present challenges and stresses kids face, this is essential content for all educators, parents and caregivers. About the Host: Dr. Wendy Oliver is a highly qualified Tennessee teacher and administrator who has pioneered digital learning across multiple states and school districts. She has authored digital teaching standards and developed software that allows teachers to self-assess their knowledge of digital instruction. No matter which hat she's wearing, her goal is simple -- to empower learners. Dr. Oliver is currently the Chief Learning Officer for EdisonLearning. Follow Dr. Oliver on Twitter @oliver_dr and learn more about EdisonLearning by visiting https://edisonlearning.com/ About Our Guest: Dr. Wendy Oliver is a highly qualified Tennessee teacher and administrator who has pioneered digital learning across multiple states and school districts. She has authored digital teaching standards and developed software that allows teachers to self-assess their knowledge of digital instruction. No matter which hat she's wearing, her goal is simple -- to empower learners. Follow Dr. Oliver on Twitter @oliver_dr

In part two of our discussion with Dr. Kathryn Kennedy, she helps us identify some of the many types of trauma that kids are experiencing as a result of the pandemic. Dr. Kennedy then shares strategies for how parents and educators can create an environment where kids are comfortable sharing the trauma they've experienced. Among other important-to-understand topics, she talks about disassociation, which is the desire to escape our bodies that many people experience as a natural response to traumatic events. Dr. Kennedy describes how certain coping mechanisms can calm the mind and the body and return it to a state of calm or equilibrium. About Our Guest: Dr. Kathryn Kennedy is founder and principal consultant of Kathryn Kennedy Consulting, as well as founder and executive director of Wellness for Educators, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that is invested in and passionate about supporting and empowering educators worldwide with trauma- and equity-informed practices and strategies for wellbeing and social and emotional learning through a variety of disciplines (yoga, mindfulness, meditation, Qigong, and more). In the past, Kathryn served as the Director of the Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute, the research arm of Michigan Virtual, Director of Research for the International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL) (now the Aurora Institute), adjunct professor and advisor for the Ed.D. program at the Johns Hopkins University School of Education, and assistant professor of instructional technology at Georgia Southern University. She serves on the Leadership Team for the National Standards for Quality Online Learning. She is one of the founding editors-in-chief of both the Journal of Online Learning Research and the Handbook of Research on K-12 Online and Blended Learning. About the Host: Dr. Wendy Oliver is a highly qualified Tennessee teacher and administrator who has pioneered digital learning across multiple states and school districts. She has authored digital teaching standards and developed software that allows teachers to self-assess their knowledge of digital instruction. No matter which hat she's wearing, her goal is simple -- to empower learners. Follow Dr. Oliver on Twitter @oliver_dr

As we approach a new school year and hope to emerge from many of the disruptions caused by the pandemic, we must acknowledge that many students have experienced persistent trauma, and especially now require support for their social and emotional health. In part one of this two-part interview, Dr. Wendy Oliver speaks with Dr. Kathryn Kennedy, an expert in the field of both trauma and online & blended learning. Topics of discussion include Dr. Kennedy's perspective on social-emotional learning (SEL), her personal experience with trauma and commitment to supporting others, and some interesting information regarding trauma and prolonged stress and how this affects the mind and body. About Our Guest: Dr. Kathryn Kennedy is founder and principal consultant of Kathryn Kennedy Consulting, as well as founder and executive director of Wellness for Educators, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that is invested in and passionate about supporting and empowering educators worldwide with trauma- and equity-informed practices and strategies for wellbeing and social and emotional learning through a variety of disciplines (yoga, mindfulness, meditation, Qigong, and more). In the past, Kathryn served as the Director of the Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute, the research arm of Michigan Virtual, Director of Research for the International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL) (now the Aurora Institute), adjunct professor and advisor for the Ed.D. program at the Johns Hopkins University School of Education, and assistant professor of instructional technology at Georgia Southern University. She serves on the Leadership Team for the National Standards for Quality Online Learning. She is one of the founding editors-in-chief of both the Journal of Online Learning Research and the Handbook of Research on K-12 Online and Blended Learning. About the Host: Dr. Wendy Oliver is a highly qualified Tennessee teacher and administrator who has pioneered digital learning across multiple states and school districts. She has authored digital teaching standards and developed software that allows teachers to self-assess their knowledge of digital instruction. No matter which hat she's wearing, her goal is simple -- to empower learners. Follow Dr. Oliver on Twitter @oliver_dr

As we emerge from the pandemic and approach the new school year, many parents and educators are in discussions about classroom plans and strategies. In this episode, we provide simple definitions of some frequently used and important-to-know education terms, to make sure parents are on the same page with educators in these conversations. We discuss what these terms mean in practice and give tips to help parents prepare for the fall classroom and advocate for their children. Terms discussed include: Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and Individualized Learning Plans (ILPs); Social-Emotional Learning (SEL); and Online Learning vs. Blended Learning. About the Host Dr. Wendy Oliver is a highly qualified Tennessee teacher and administrator who has pioneered digital learning across multiple states and school districts. She has authored digital teaching standards and developed software that allows teachers to self-assess their knowledge of digital instruction. No matter which hat she's wearing, her goal is simple -- to empower learners. Follow Dr. Oliver on Twitter @oliver_dr

With a new school year on the horizon – one that in many ways may be a “return to normal” after the extended pandemic – we must acknowledge that we have all experienced some sort of trauma throughout the last year or two. In this episode, we focus on social-emotional learning (SEL) and trauma. To help us uncover ways trauma presents itself in the classroom, we lean on Jethro Jones and his work with trauma-informed practices. Jethro is a former principal for all levels of K-12 education and hosts a podcast called Transformative Principal. In what he calls a Trauma Podcast Map, Jethro has curated some of his podcast episodes that relate to trauma. We share some of the highlights from this piece which helps educators identify and mitigate trauma. We also include additional research that points to community service as a way to support social emotional well-being. Tune in to this informative episode to learn about trauma and ways to support SEL during this upcoming school year. About the Host Dr. Wendy Oliver is a highly qualified Tennessee teacher and administrator who has pioneered digital learning across multiple states and school districts. She has authored digital teaching standards and developed software that allows teachers to self-assess their knowledge of digital instruction. No matter which hat she's wearing, her goal is simple -- to empower learners. Follow Dr. Oliver on Twitter @oliver_dr

The guests on this exciting episode of Building the Bridge are Jess Kertz and Jostin Grimes, a pair of Education Specialists for Soundtrap at Spotify. Prior to joining the Soundtrap team, Jess was an educator in Chicago schools, and Jostin was an elementary school teacher in Atlanta and a program manager for STEM to the Future, among other roles. In the interview, Jess and Jostin share the benefits of podcasting in the classroom with Dr. Oliver. They discuss how podcasting can be an effective learning strategy in any environment -- in-person, hybrid, or remote -- and how it helps students develop key 21st century skills. Podcasting is a way for students to engage in project-based learning and tap into their creativity. Importantly, participating in podcasting is also a powerful way for students to foster their social-emotional skills. Many students use podcasting as a way to deeply explore their thoughts, ideas, and personal stories, and to share things they'd otherwise be reluctant to share. Listen to the episode to find out more about the links between podcasting and social-emotional learning (SEL), STEM, the 4Cs (creativity, communication, collaboration, and critical thinking), and more. About the Host Dr. Wendy Oliver is a highly qualified Tennessee teacher and administrator who has pioneered digital learning across multiple states and school districts. She has authored digital teaching standards and developed software that allows teachers to self-assess their knowledge of digital instruction. No matter which hat she's wearing, her goal is simple -- to empower learners. Dr. Oliver is currently the Chief Learning Officer for EdisonLearning. Follow Dr. Oliver on Twitter @oliver_dr and learn more about EdisonLearning by visiting https://edisonlearning.com/

Social-emotional learning (SEL) has been a hot topic in education conversations, especially over the past year, as the COVID-19 pandemic has given schools and families alike a different perspective on students' well-rounded needs. There are numerous ways to promote SEL, and using digital tools is an approach with significant promise. On this episode, Angela Arnold, General Manager of OverDrive Education, and Beth Saxton, a Content Specialist with the company, join Dr. Oliver to discuss some specific ways digital books can support SEL. Prior to their current roles in the education world, each of the guests had experience as a public librarian. Angela and Beth talk about the discussions we should be having with children, and identify key elements that play supporting roles in social-emotional health. The episode gives insight into what we can expect in the coming school year, along with promising new ideas to support students' well-rounded development. About the Host Dr. Wendy Oliver is a highly qualified Tennessee teacher and administrator who has pioneered digital learning across multiple states and school districts. She has authored digital teaching standards and developed software that allows teachers to self-assess their knowledge of digital instruction. No matter which hat she's wearing, her goal is simple -- to empower learners. Dr. Oliver is currently the Chief Learning Officer for EdisonLearning. Follow Dr. Oliver on Twitter @oliver_dr and learn more about EdisonLearning by visiting https://edisonlearning.com/

Dr. Kristen Mattson joins us to discuss an important, evolving topic in our digital world: ethics. She begins by defining what it means to be a digital citizen and dives into the importance of educating not only parents, but also teachers about digital ethics. Dr. Mattson has spent her career as an educator, giving a lot of attention to this topic, and has recently written a book answering some of the biggest questions. She feels that technology is often taught in a silo, but her philosophy is that digital literacy and information media literacy skills should be embedded naturally within the content areas. When you include those higher order thinking skills, the curriculum is more engaging and relevant to the students. The discussion continues by acknowledging that teachers need to point out to students that they are creating their digital footprints as young as age five, sometimes younger. Healthy classroom debates occur with older students surrounding the topic of privacy and security. We must decide how much data we are willing to give up to a technology company. Are we okay with it personally, and are we okay with it collectively as a society? Dr. Oliver's interview with Kristen concludes with several helpful resources for teachers who are getting started with digital citizenship and digital ethics topics in the classroom. Dr. Kristen Mattson's new book Ethics in a Digital World: Guiding Students Through Society's Biggest Questions can be purchased through this link: https://amzn.to/3uFADXp About Our Guest Kristen Mattson is a wife, mother of three, former English teacher and school librarian. She is currently an adjunct professor and consultant. She partners with educators in all content areas to integrate digital literacy, research skills, creation and innovation in the classroom. Kristen holds a bachelor's degree in education, a master's degree in instructional design and technology, and a doctoral degree in curriculum and instruction leadership from Northern Illinois University, where she conducted a critical discourse analysis on secondary digital citizenship curriculum. Follow her on Twitter @DrKMattson About the Host Dr. Wendy Oliver is a highly qualified Tennessee teacher and administrator who has pioneered digital learning across multiple states and school districts. She has authored digital teaching standards and developed software that allows teachers to self-assess their knowledge of digital instruction. No matter which hat she's wearing, her goal is simple -- to empower learners. Dr. Oliver is currently the Chief Learning Officer for EdisonLearning. Follow Dr. Oliver on Twitter @oliver_dr and learn more about EdisonLearning by visiting https://edisonlearning.com/

Teacher Appreciation Week takes place annually the first full week of May, and this year we are especially grateful. Over the last year, teachers were asked to rapidly adapt to pandemic life while continuing to be there for their students and families. To celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, we invited third grade student Chloe back to the program, and she describes her transition from learning online to her return to in-person learning. Her amazing teacher, Señora Maria, made things comfortable for all students during this unusual year. Chloe is so thankful and provides her perspective and deep appreciation for her teacher. About the host: Dr. Wendy Oliver is a highly qualified Tennessee teacher and administrator who has pioneered digital learning across multiple states and school districts. She has authored digital teaching standards and developed software that allows teachers to self-assess their knowledge of digital instruction. No matter which hat she's wearing, her goal is simple -- to empower learners. Dr. Oliver is currently the Chief Learning Officer for EdisonLearning. Follow Dr. Oliver on Twitter @oliver_dr and learn more about EdisonLearning by visiting https://edisonlearning.com/

Understanding how social media platforms are used by your children can help you make informed decisions about how to protect them when they are online. Dr. Wendy Oliver provides an overview of popular social media apps and their uses including Discord, Instagram, TikTok and Messenger Kids. This informative podcast provides key information about social media privacy policies, their safety settings, and parental controls. It also delivers insight into the minds of teens and how social media can be used to manipulate devices for unrestricted screen time. About the host: Dr. Wendy Oliver is a highly qualified Tennessee teacher and administrator who has pioneered digital learning across multiple states and school districts. She has authored digital teaching standards and developed software that allows teachers to self-assess their knowledge of digital instruction. No matter which hat she's wearing, her goal is simple -- to empower learners. Dr. Oliver is currently the Chief Learning Officer for EdisonLearning. Follow Dr. Oliver on Twitter @oliver_dr and learn more about EdisonLearning by visiting https://edisonlearning.com/

Technological advances over the last decade have created a new path and new opportunities for Career and Technical Education (CTE). Crystal Guiler, the Chief Academic Officer of Pointful Education, is a leader in the CTE space, and she joined this episode to share insights with Dr. Wendy Oliver. Traditional CTE courses like welding and construction still exist, but there is now a whole new world which includes online CTE courses that provide training for Adobe programs, augmented and virtual reality applications, commercial drone piloting, and more. Many of the course offerings are certification courses, meaning students are able to earn professional certifications while they figure out what the next steps are in their career path. There are opportunities to gain knowledge and skills in technology and learn a vocation. Crystal explains, “The new CTE world is very different than it has been in the past and it really is both a college and a career track, not a college or career track.” Listen to the full interview to hear how today's innovative career and technical programs can provide worthwhile opportunities for your child or students. About the host: Dr. Wendy Oliver is a highly qualified Tennessee teacher and administrator who has pioneered digital learning across multiple states and school districts. She has authored digital teaching standards and developed software that allows teachers to self-assess their knowledge of digital instruction. No matter which hat she's wearing, her goal is simple -- to empower learners. Dr. Oliver is currently the Chief Learning Officer for EdisonLearning. Follow Dr. Oliver on Twitter @oliver_dr and learn more about EdisonLearning by visiting https://edisonlearning.com/ About the Guest Crystal Guiler is the Chief Academic Officer of Pointful Education, a leader in innovative CTE and elective courses. Crystal has been working in the K-12 digital learning space for over 10 years, in roles ranging from coach, district administrator and curriculum specialist, to instructional designer and virtual learning project manager. She has developed more than 70 higher education and K-12 digital courses and has supervised the development of hundreds of additional digital training solutions.

Today, Kathy continues her conversation with Dr. Wendy Oliver-Pyatt focusing on principles of treatment across the domains of recovery. If you missed part 1, please go back and listen to episode 236.

In this extended episode of Building the Bridge, we're delighted to share an interview with world renowned education scholar, Dr. Yong Zhao. In this conversation with Dr. Wendy Oliver, Dr. Zhao expands on some of the key points from his recent article “Build Back Better: Avoid the Learning Loss Trap.” In the article, he speaks to the risk of some wrong decisions schools might make as a reaction to Covid-19 challenges, and then shares a list of proven, research-based, global strategies to pursue instead. Dr. Zhao will enlighten listeners with his thoughts on what has actually been lost during the pandemic (versus what was just never gained, and what we can do next), and why he advocates for children to develop a jagged profile of qualities vs. focusing on narrow subject matter such as reading and math. As a proponent of a whole child education, Dr. Zhao promotes social-emotional learning, mental health, and a variety of academic subjects as equally important components of education. Additionally, Dr. Zhao describes how he views children as global citizens; what they need to know about their responsibilities, their goals, and their outcomes; and why online learning is here to stay as an effective piece of education access. This is an interview you don't want to miss! Read more in the recent article, Build Back Better: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11125-021-09544-y About Dr. Yong Zhao: Dr. Yong Zhao has been recognized as one of the most influential global education scholars. Currently, he is a Foundation Distinguished Professor in the School of Education at the University of Kansas and a professor in Educational Leadership at the Melbourne Graduate School of Education in Australia. He previously served as the Presidential Chair, Associate Dean, and Director of the Institute for Global and Online Education in the College of Education, University of Oregon. Dr. Zhao has published more than 100 articles and 30 books that focus on the implications of globalization and technology on education. Follow him on Twitter @YongZhaoEd About the host: Dr. Wendy Oliver is a highly qualified Tennessee teacher and administrator who has pioneered digital learning across multiple states and school districts. She has authored digital teaching standards and developed software that allows teachers to self-assess their knowledge of digital instruction. No matter which hat she's wearing, her goal is simple -- to empower learners. Dr. Oliver is currently the Chief Learning Officer for EdisonLearning. Follow Dr. Oliver on Twitter @oliver_dr and learn more about EdisonLearning by visiting https://edisonlearning.com/

Today, Kathy welcomes Dr. Wendy Oliver-Pyatt and this is part 1 of a 2-part conversation focusing on principles of treatment across the domains of recovery.

In part two of this special crossover conversation with the CyberTraps Podcast, Dr. Wendy Oliver, Jethro Jones, and Frederick Lane continue their discussion about privacy, safety, and effective technology use in education. Listen to last week's episode to hear the first part of the conversation. Among the topics discussed in this episode, the participants share their observations on how parents and educators are managing the transition to a new digital learning environment, and what grace period the parties should be providing to one another as they get used to the new setup. There's also discussion of the way schools are using funding to purchase technology, and how they can consider whether the technology used is truly furthering the mission of education. Especially with respect to privacy and safety concerns, there's a lot to consider. One more important topic regards the downsides to conducting hidden surveillance through technology, and why an open and honest dialogue is more beneficial. Make sure to subscribe to Building the Bridge on your favorite podcast app to get alerted to each week's new episode! More resources: CyberTraps Podcast: https://apple.co/3dne2aC Transformative Principal Podcast: https://www.transformativeprincipal.org/ SchoolX by Jethro Jones: https://bit.ly/3czoRY6 Not Your Mama's Classroom: What You Need to Know as a Parent About Your Child's Digital Education by Dr. Wendy Oliver: https://amzn.to/3wc9qNh

  In this episode we talk with Dr. Wendy Oliver round digital safety. This is a simulcast with Dr. Oliver's Building the Bridge podcast.   Links Not Your Mama's Classroom: What You Need to Know as a Parent About Your Child's Digital Education Guest Bio Dr. Wendy Oliver is a highly qualified Tennessee teacher and administrator who has pioneered digital learning across multiple states and school districts. She has authored digital teaching standards and developed software that allows teachers to self-assess their knowledge of digital instruction. Wendy is currently the Chief Learning Officer for EdisonLearning, leading efforts to deliver high-quality, innovative digital learning solutions to hundreds of schools across the U.S. Wendy is author of a book for parents, “Not Your Mama's Classroom: What You Need to Know as a Parent About Your Child's Digital Education,” and the upcoming book for educators, Not Your Mama's Classroom: Facilitating Engaging, Student-Centered Digital Instruction. No matter which hat she's wearing, her goal is simple – to empower learners. Follow Dr. Wendy Oliver on Twitter @oliver_dr What is the outlook for the education system over the next 5–10 years? As more students of all ages are participating in online or hybrid schooling, how is exposure to online risks increasing? How do educators have the right conversations with parents and students around digital safety? K–12 education is trending toward digital and that's not just going to stop. It's not a system parents and students can just “opt out” of, but can they influence and change the system to work better? Particularly thinking about students' rights, privacy and safety. Are there legal and ethical obligations coming into play for teachers when students go online, which they may not even be aware of? What are they? Thanks to our mission partner: Buoyancy Digital is proud to be the inaugural Mission Partner for the Cybertraps Podcast series. A digital advertising consultancy with an ethos, Buoyancy was founded by Scott Rabinowitz, who has been in digital media since 1997 and has overseen $300 million in youth safety compliant ad buys across all digital platforms. For IAB, Google and Bing accredited brand and audience safe advertising sales solutions, media buying and organizational training for media publishers, let's chat.

This special episode of Building the Bridge is a crossover episode, recorded in collaboration with the CyberTraps Podcast. CyberTraps is co-hosted by Jethro Jones, a former principal who authored the book SchoolX and has hosted more than 500 episodes of the Transformative Principal podcast for school leaders, and Frederick Lane, an attorney, educational consultant, and author of the CyberTraps book series. On their podcast, Jethro and Frederick present an entertaining and informative look at the risks of technology in education, and what parents and educators should know. In this lively discussion, Jethro, Frederick, and Dr. Wendy Oliver tackle the following big question: In a world that's moving toward digital learning at a rapid pace (and in which the future of learning will continue to have a significant online component), what are the actions parents and educators can take to ensure the learning environment is safe? The conversation reflects on the past year in education, including the educational choices parents have learned about while navigating the pandemic, and how they've used these choices to benefit their children. The experts also talk about how we maintain standards that contribute to effective learning in a more fragmented environment; the ethical issues with remote learning, including the impact on educator and student privacy; and why critical thinking is an essential component in the modern classroom. In part two of this conversation next week, you'll hear about finding the “right” technology, the difference between open dialogue and inappropriate surveillance, and more. Make sure to subscribe to Building the Bridge on your favorite podcast app to get alerted to each week's new episode! More resources: CyberTraps Podcast: https://apple.co/3dne2aC Transformative Principal Podcast: https://www.transformativeprincipal.org/ SchoolX by Jethro Jones: https://bit.ly/3czoRY6 Not Your Mama's Classroom: What You Need to Know as a Parent About Your Child's Digital Education by Dr. Wendy Oliver: https://amzn.to/3wc9qNh

The need to close the “digital divide,” a term that refers to disparities in device and broadband access, wasn't new when the COVID-19 pandemic began. However, over the last year, the “COVID Slide” has entered the K-12 vernacular along with “learning loss,” one of the current buzz phrases in education. This refers to a perceived or actual lack of academic growth and/or lost learning time as schools have shifted to remote and hybrid models, often without the type of planning required to deliver an excellent digital education. In this episode, Dr. Oliver explores the contributing factors that lead to “learning loss” and describes some of the things to look out for over the coming weeks and months, as educators implement strategies to begin new, positive trends in student achievement. About the host: Dr. Wendy Oliver is a highly qualified Tennessee teacher and administrator who has pioneered digital learning across multiple states and school districts. She has authored digital teaching standards and developed software that allows teachers to self-assess their knowledge of digital instruction. No matter which hat she's wearing, her goal is simple -- to empower learners. Dr. Oliver is currently the Chief Learning Officer for EdisonLearning. Follow Dr. Oliver on Twitter @oliver_dr and learn more about EdisonLearning by visiting https://edisonlearning.com/

Dr. Maria Carlone has embraced the challenges of teaching in a hybrid setting, in which half of her students are in the classroom while the other half are learning at home via video. Dr. Carlone teaches in an elementary school Spanish Immersion program and one of her students, Chloe, was our guest on last week's episode. This week we hear the teacher's perspective from “the other side of the camera,” as Dr. Carlone describes what it's been like to teach during the pandemic, what has been most challenging, what's been successful, and how she has grown professionally. The conversation also touches on topics including learning loss and social-emotional health, which have been prominent in recent education discussions. About the host: Dr. Wendy Oliver is a highly qualified Tennessee teacher and administrator who has pioneered digital learning across multiple states and school districts. She has authored digital teaching standards and developed software that allows teachers to self-assess their knowledge of digital instruction. No matter which hat she's wearing, her goal is simple -- to empower learners. Dr. Oliver is currently the Chief Learning Officer for EdisonLearning. Follow Dr. Oliver on Twitter @oliver_dr and learn more about EdisonLearning by visiting https://edisonlearning.com/

In this episode, student voice is at the center. You'll hear perspectives on remote learning from an elementary school student. Dr. Wendy Oliver interviews her daughter Chloe, a third grader who has been learning remotely during the pandemic, and is part of a Spanish language immersion program. Chloe shares what she likes and dislikes about remote learning, as well as some of the surprising benefits she's encountered. As you listen, you can compare this perspective to what you've heard from your own children and students, and to what educators have shared on various episodes of Building the Bridge. By highlighting all the important voices that make up our education system, we can find ideas and solutions that work for all. About the host: Dr. Wendy Oliver is a highly qualified Tennessee teacher and administrator who has pioneered digital learning across multiple states and school districts. She has authored digital teaching standards and developed software that allows teachers to self-assess their knowledge of digital instruction. No matter which hat she's wearing, her goal is simple -- to empower learners. Dr. Oliver is currently the Chief Learning Officer for EdisonLearning. Follow Dr. Oliver on Twitter @oliver_dr and learn more about EdisonLearning by visiting https://edisonlearning.com/

This episode gives a broad, detailed overview of what school districts nationwide are facing, as Dr. Wendy Oliver interviews Dan Domenech, Executive Director of AASA – The School Superintendents Association. Among several hot topics addressed, the episode touches on how superintendents are tackling the digital divide, food access during COVID-19, handling immunizations, learning loss and social-emotional health. Additionally, Dan looks at the future and identifies changes that he hopes to see in our country's school systems. About the host: Dr. Wendy Oliver is a highly qualified Tennessee teacher and administrator who has pioneered digital learning across multiple states and school districts. She has authored digital teaching standards and developed software that allows teachers to self-assess their knowledge of digital instruction. No matter which hat she's wearing, her goal is simple -- to empower learners. Dr. Oliver is currently the Chief Learning Officer for EdisonLearning. Follow Dr. Oliver on Twitter @oliver_dr and learn more about EdisonLearning by visiting https://edisonlearning.com/ About our guest: Daniel A. Domenech has served as executive director of the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) since July 2008. Domenech has more than 36 years of experience in public education, twenty-seven of those years served as a school superintendent. Prior to joining AASA, Domenech served as senior vice president for National Urban Markets with McGraw-Hill Education. Prior to his position at McGraw-Hill, Domenech served for seven years as superintendent of the Fairfax County, Va., Public Schools, the 12th largest school system in the nation with 168,000 students. Follow him on Twitter @AASADan

In this episode, Dr. Wendy Oliver and Dr. Paula Love continue their timely conversation about the sources of funding currently available to U.S. school districts. If you haven't yet heard part one, listen here to get detailed information about the ESSER Fund, established as part of the Education Stabilization Fund from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) package in March, and the funds made available through the Consolidated Appropriations Act in December. The vast majority of these funds are still available to districts, and the Department of Education has until September 2023 to obligate the funds from December. Paula recaps the three highlighted areas, of the total 12 allowable uses for the Consolidated Appropriations Act funds―learning loss recovery, educational technology purchasing, and modifications to school facilities related to indoor air quality as areas of focus―and Wendy discusses how these areas are in alignment with district leaders' goals nationwide, as evidence by her recent conversation with Dan Domenech, Executive Director of AASA, The School Superintendents' Association. These funds allow for districts not only to address immediate needs, but to work on long-term planning in implementing instructional best practices and resilient models. Paula also reminds leaders that any uses of funding under ESSA are also allowable with these new funds, so the potential uses are broad and give leaders many options. She also discusses $2.75 billion in funds that have been designated for non-public schools, and explains how these may be accessed. About the host: Dr. Wendy Oliver is a highly qualified Tennessee teacher and administrator who has pioneered digital learning across multiple states and school districts. She has authored digital teaching standards and developed software that allows teachers to self-assess their knowledge of digital instruction. No matter which hat she's wearing, her goal is simple -- to empower learners. Dr. Oliver is currently the Chief Learning Officer for EdisonLearning. Follow Dr. Oliver on Twitter @oliver_dr and learn more about EdisonLearning by visiting https://edisonlearning.com/ About our guest Known as “The Funding Doctor,” Dr. Paula Love is a renowned funding expert with decades of experience delivering grant strategies for for-profit and nonprofit organizations, state and local educational agencies, schools, and institutions of higher learning. She is President of RFPMatch.com and―along with her assembled team of highly skilled staff, strategic partners, and consultants who bring expertise in education, industry, sales, funding, and business and fiscal management―she helps connect K-12 product and service providers with the right information and funding sources to improve sales success.

On this timely episode, renowned funding expert Dr. Paula Love shares a wealth of knowledge regarding the relevant funds currently available to districts as a result of the pandemic. In fact, Paula shared so much information, we'll have even more from her next week for part two. The interview begins with a review of the funds designated for education from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) package in March (1:40). More than half of this funding is still available, and the allowable uses set up in March have set the pathway for the new funds that were designated in December. Paula gives important detail on several of the 12 allowable uses of these funds, which cover a broad range of needs for all districts. The second half of the episode features discussion on the funds made available through the Consolidated Appropriations Act in December (9:25). This last round of COVID Relief designated four times as much for education, building on an already-sizable bucket of funding. Bringing more focus to the still-relevant 12 allowable uses, the new round of funds specifically highlights learning loss recovery, educational technology purchasing, and modifications to school facilities related to indoor air quality as areas of focus. The Department of Education has until September 2022 to obligate the CARES education stabilization funds and until September 2023 to obligate the funds from December. About the host: Dr. Wendy Oliver is a highly qualified Tennessee teacher and administrator who has pioneered digital learning across multiple states and school districts. She has authored digital teaching standards and developed software that allows teachers to self-assess their knowledge of digital instruction. No matter which hat she's wearing, her goal is simple -- to empower learners. Dr. Oliver is currently the Chief Learning Officer for EdisonLearning. Follow Dr. Oliver on Twitter @oliver_dr and learn more about EdisonLearning by visiting https://edisonlearning.com/ About our guest Known as “The Funding Doctor,” Dr. Paula Love is a renowned funding expert with decades of experience delivering grant strategies for for-profit and nonprofit organizations, state and local educational agencies, schools, and institutions of higher learning. She is President of RFPMatch.com and―along with her assembled team of highly skilled staff, strategic partners, and consultants who bring expertise in education, industry, sales, funding, and business and fiscal management―she helps connect K-12 product and service providers with the right information and funding sources to improve sales success.

We've recently observed National School Choice Week in the U.S., leading Future of School and educators nationwide to ask a number of relevant questions: What should school choice really mean in 2021? How is it defined by most Americans and how should it be defined? What work are we doing to enhance options in learning that go far beyond the physical school building? And, looking ahead, what is the future of school choice? In this special episode, Future of School CEO and Education Evangelist Amy Valentine reflects on some of the recent conversations about school choice. We then share Amy's recent interview on the Building the Bridge podcast, hosted by Dr. Wendy Oliver, which allowed for an in-depth, layered discussion of the future of school choice. In the interview you'll hear Amy's insights on the history of the traditional school choice discussion, and the ways in which that conversation is expanding and evolving, both as a result of the pandemic but also dating back over multiple decades of online and blended learning. Among other perspectives, Amy shares that “COVID-19 made it undeniable to everybody in our country [that] parents should have the right, and they should be empowered, to choose the best learning environment for their children.” For more content about the future of school choice, listen to S1E6 of Future of School: The Podcast and read Amy's latest column on edCircuit. To hear more conversations about the topics that connect educators and parents around online learning, you can subscribe to Building the Bridge. Learn more about Future of School and its mission to mobilize change in American K-12 education from a one-size-fits-all system to one that ensures all students reach their unbounded potential no matter where their learning takes place at www.futureof.school. Follow Future of School on Twitter @futureof_school and follow Amy Valentine @amyvalentine555 to keep up-to-date on exciting initiatives and opportunities. About Amy Valentine: Amy Valentine is the Chief Executive Officer and Education Evangelist of Future of School, an education intermediary organization designed to support the growth of innovative school models integrating blended and online learning. Prior to guiding Future of School's incubation and launch, Amy managed a portfolio of Colorado schools where she led academic and operational turnaround strategy. She also previously served as executive director for a network of Nobel Learning Communities schools in California. About Dr. Wendy Oliver: Dr. Wendy Oliver is a highly qualified Tennessee teacher and administrator who has pioneered digital learning across multiple states and school districts. She has authored digital teaching standards and developed software that allows teachers to self-assess their knowledge of digital instruction. Dr. Oliver is currently the Chief Learning Officer for EdisonLearning. Follow her on Twitter @oliver_dr

Closing the opportunity gap is a tall order, especially during a pandemic when new challenges have compounded previous difficulties. In this episode, Dr. Wendy Oliver interviews Susan Bearden, Director of Digital Programs for Innovate EDU, to investigate how innovative thinking can move the education system toward some solutions. Wendy and Susan discuss how socioeconomic status contributes to the opportunity gap and the digital divide, and reflect on the ways the pandemic has exacerbated the difference between the haves and have-nots in education. They also discuss what it means to be innovative in the classroom. (Hint: It might not mean what you think.) Susan has been at the forefront of K-12 innovation throughout her career, and you won't want to miss her thoughts. About the host: Dr. Wendy Oliver is a highly qualified Tennessee teacher and administrator who has pioneered digital learning across multiple states and school districts. She has authored digital teaching standards and developed software that allows teachers to self-assess their knowledge of digital instruction. No matter which hat she's wearing, her goal is simple -- to empower learners. Dr. Oliver is currently the Chief Learning Officer for EdisonLearning. Follow Dr. Oliver on Twitter @oliver_dr and learn more about EdisonLearning by visiting https://edisonlearning.com/ About today's guest: Susan Bearden is the Director of Digital Programs for Innovate EDU, a non-profit whose mission is to eliminate the achievement gap by accelerating innovation in standards aligned, next generation learning models and tools that serve, inform, and enhance teaching and learning. In Susan's career as an educator and technologist, she has served as the Chief Innovation Officer for the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN), as a Senior Education Fellow in the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Education Technology, and as a Director of Information Technology in a school setting, among other roles. Follow Susan on Twitter @s_bearden

It's National School Choice Week in the U.S. and to help us get a more layered, in-depth picture of the present and future of choice in education, we're excited to feature an interview with Amy Valentine, CEO and Education Evangelist of Future of School. Amy shares her insights on the history of the traditional school choice discussion, and the ways in which that conversation is expanding and evolving, both as a result of the pandemic but also dating back over multiple decades of online and blended learning. Among other perspectives, Amy shares that “COVID-19 made it undeniable to everybody in our country [that] parents should have the right, and they should be empowered, to choose the best learning environment for their children.” Listen to this conversation between two innovative education leaders to gain a better understanding of the choices parents and students have over personalized educational options. About the host: Dr. Wendy Oliver is a highly qualified Tennessee teacher and administrator who has pioneered digital learning across multiple states and school districts. She has authored digital teaching standards and developed software that allows teachers to self-assess their knowledge of digital instruction. No matter which hat she's wearing, her goal is simple -- to empower learners. Dr. Oliver is currently the Chief Learning Officer for EdisonLearning. Follow Dr. Oliver on Twitter @oliver_dr and learn more about EdisonLearning by visiting https://edisonlearning.com/ About today's guest: Amy Valentine is the Chief Executive Officer and Education Evangelist of Future of School, an education intermediary organization designed to support the growth of innovative school models integrating blended and online learning. Prior to guiding Future of School's incubation and launch, Amy managed a portfolio of Colorado schools where she led academic and operational turnaround strategy. She also previously served as executive director for a network of Nobel Learning Communities schools in California. Follow Amy on Twitter @amyvalentine555

In this episode of Building the Bridge, Dr. Wendy Oliver interviews Keri Rodrigues, Founding President of the National Parents Union. Keri is referred to as “arguably the most successful parent organizer in education advocacy today.” Her outstanding commitment to social, economic and educational equity for children and families spans decades. Keri's journey as a parent advocate started when she observed that she and other parents didn't have a voice in their community regarding politics or policy in education. She organized with other parents and formed Massachusetts Parents United, which is now the largest parent advocacy organization, and discovered other pockets of parent power across the country. This ultimately led to establishing the National Parents Union. Tune in to hear Keri's perspective on online education and her thought about the actions parents can take to ensure their kids are getting the best education possible. About the host: Dr. Wendy Oliver is a highly qualified Tennessee teacher and administrator who has pioneered digital learning across multiple states and school districts. She has authored digital teaching standards and developed software that allows teachers to self-assess their knowledge of digital instruction. No matter which hat she's wearing, her goal is simple -- to empower learners. Dr. Oliver is currently the Chief Learning Officer for EdisonLearning. Follow Dr. Oliver on Twitter @oliver_dr and learn more about EdisonLearning by visiting https://edisonlearning.com/

In this episode, Dr. Oliver discusses the opportunity gap, which refers to arbitrary circumstances in which people are born, as well as the digital gap, which refers to either a lack of knowledge about using computers and/or lack of broadband internet access. She provides definitions, examples and real-world scenarios to illustrate what these disparities look like and where they are occurring in education. Wendy also refers back to a recent interview with online educator and author Courtney Ostaff, whose experience teaching online in rural areas over the past two decades has led to many valuable insights. About the host: Dr. Wendy Oliver is a highly qualified Tennessee teacher and administrator who has pioneered digital learning across multiple states and school districts. She has authored digital teaching standards and developed software that allows teachers to self-assess their knowledge of digital instruction. No matter which hat she's wearing, her goal is simple -- to empower learners. Dr. Oliver is currently the Chief Learning Officer for EdisonLearning. Follow Dr. Oliver on Twitter @oliver_dr and learn more about EdisonLearning by visiting https://edisonlearning.com/

Over the past few weeks, we've discussed social-emotional learning and ways to enhance the well-rounded educational experience for all students. As the pandemic has continued, teachers and administrators have been actively addressing and navigating the various challenges presented. In this episode, it's time to hear their perspective. Dr. Wendy Oliver sits down with Dr. Randy Ziegenfuss, award-winning superintendent of Pennsylvania's Salisbury Township School District, and asks what it's like to be an administrator during these trying times. We get a glimpse of how things have changed, how learning is approached differently, and how a good leader boosts morale among teachers. Learn more about Dr. Zigenfuss by listening to his podcasts TL Talk Radio and Shift Your Paradigm, or following him on Twitter @ziegeran About the host: Dr. Wendy Oliver is a highly qualified Tennessee teacher and administrator who has pioneered digital learning across multiple states and school districts. She has authored digital teaching standards and developed software that allows teachers to self-assess their knowledge of digital instruction. No matter which hat she's wearing, her goal is simple -- to empower learners. Dr. Oliver is currently the Chief Learning Officer for EdisonLearning. Follow Dr. Oliver on Twitter @oliver_dr and learn more about EdisonLearning by visiting https://edisonlearning.com/

In this episode, we are joined by two EdisonLearning employees, Alisha Zak, an Academic Advisor, and Jodi Rogers-Carter, a Mathematics Teacher, who share with us how supporting students is intertwined with social emotional health. The relationships between advisor and student as well as advisor and teacher are invaluable. These relationships form a path to successful learning. Discover how our programs support Social Emotional Learning which leads to student engagement and academic success. Dr. Wendy Oliver is a highly qualified Tennessee teacher and administrator who has pioneered digital learning across multiple states and school districts. She has authored digital teaching standards and developed software that allows teachers to self-assess their knowledge of digital instruction. No matter which hat she's wearing, her goal is simple -- to empower learners. Dr. Oliver is currently the Chief Learning Officer for EdisonLearning. Follow Dr. Oliver on Twitter @oliver_dr and learn more about EdisonLearning by visiting https://edisonlearning.com/

It's no secret that the pandemic is taking a toll on us as a society. Students especially are dealing with social emotional issues related to isolation. In this episode, Dr. Wendy Oliver examines ways for parents, teachers and students to bolster their social emotional health. Dr. Wendy Oliver is a highly qualified Tennessee teacher and administrator who has pioneered digital learning across multiple states and school districts. She has authored digital teaching standards and developed software that allows teachers to self-assess their knowledge of digital instruction. No matter which hat she's wearing, her goal is simple -- to empower learners. Dr. Oliver is currently the Chief Learning Officer for EdisonLearning. Follow Dr. Oliver on Twitter @oliver_dr and learn more about EdisonLearning by visiting https://edisonlearning.com/

Educator, presenter and author, Patrice Bain sits down with “Building the Bridge” as we uncover ways to understand how kids learn and how to include parents in the conversation. Patrice has spent 15 years of her teaching career working with cognitive scientists turning research into learning strategies. Among many other achievements, she was one of two U.S. teachers on the working task group: Neuro Myths vs. Neuro Truths, sponsored by the Institute of Education Sciences & National Commission on Education Research. In our interview we talk about the Teaching Triangle, the Responsibility Diagram, and so much more. This interview is a compelling teaser for Patrice's new book, Powerful Teaching: A Guide for Parents, published by John Catt Educational. Learn more about Patrice on her website www.patricebain.com Dr. Wendy Oliver is a highly qualified Tennessee teacher and administrator who has pioneered digital learning across multiple states and school districts. She has authored digital teaching standards and developed software that allows teachers to self-assess their knowledge of digital instruction. No matter which hat she's wearing, her goal is simple -- to empower learners. Dr. Oliver is currently the Chief Learning Officer for EdisonLearning. Follow Dr. Oliver on Twitter @oliver_dr and learn more about EdisonLearning by visiting https://edisonlearning.com/

This era of online learning brings a whole new set of issues parents should be aware of, so they can take necessary precautions to protect their children. In this episode, Dr. Wendy Oliver delivers a high-level overview of digital safety, some important information to know, and how it supports parents' ability to safeguard their children. Dr. Wendy Oliver is a highly qualified Tennessee teacher and administrator who has pioneered digital learning across multiple states and school districts. She has authored digital teaching standards and developed software that allows teachers to self-assess their knowledge of digital instruction. No matter which hat she's wearing, her goal is simple -- to empower learners. Dr. Oliver is currently the Chief Learning Officer for EdisonLearning. Follow Dr. Oliver on Twitter @oliver_dr and learn more about EdisonLearning by visiting https://edisonlearning.com/

Courtney Ostaff has been teaching online since 1999 and describes why online teaching is far more than preparing your typical lesson and turning on a camera. In this episode she discusses how to structure online teaching and ways to make it work. Find out her philosophy about structuring your online lesson and tools to bolster the online learning experience. This interview also addresses students with exceptionalities in this new era of online learning as well as a brief touch on the achievement gap in rural America. Ostaff's is author of the new book, The Teaching Online Handbook, published by John Catt Educational. Learn more about Courtney on her website https://courtneyostaff.com Dr. Wendy Oliver is a highly qualified Tennessee teacher and administrator who has pioneered digital learning across multiple states and school districts. She has authored digital teaching standards and developed software that allows teachers to self-assess their knowledge of digital instruction. No matter which hat she's wearing, her goal is simple -- to empower learners. Dr. Oliver is currently the Chief Learning Officer for EdisonLearning. Follow Dr. Oliver on Twitter @oliver_dr and learn more about EdisonLearning by visiting https://edisonlearning.com/

In the conclusion of this two-part podcast, Dr. Wendy Oliver describes the facets and importance of a Digital Learning Communication Plan at the classroom level. This episode is designed to set up teachers, students and caregivers for success in this new era of online learning. About the host: Dr. Wendy Oliver is a highly qualified Tennessee teacher and administrator who has pioneered digital learning across multiple states and school districts. She has authored digital teaching standards and developed software that allows teachers to self-assess their knowledge of digital instruction. No matter which hat she's wearing, her goal is simple -- to empower learners. Dr. Oliver is currently the Chief Learning Officer for EdisonLearning. Follow Dr. Oliver on Twitter @oliver_dr Learn more about EdisonLearning by visiting https://edisonlearning.com/

When we want to achieve high-quality digital learning, it's critical to talk about a communication plan. There are three prongs to such a plan: communications and policies at the district level, the school level and the classroom level. This episode is part one of a two-part mini-series that includes information for creating and implementing a Digital Learning Communication Plan at the district and school levels. Policies and key issues are identified for guidance and to support administrators and teachers as they navigate this new era of online learning. Dr. Wendy Oliver is a highly qualified Tennessee teacher and administrator who has pioneered digital learning across multiple states and school districts. She has authored digital teaching standards and developed software that allows teachers to self-assess their knowledge of digital instruction. No matter which hat she's wearing, her goal is simple -- to empower learners. Dr. Oliver is currently the Chief Learning Officer for EdisonLearning. Follow Dr. Oliver on Twitter @oliver_dr Learn more about EdisonLearning by visiting https://edisonlearning.com/

It's so important to view remote learning as a collaboration and create a bridge between teachers and parents. Without that bridge, we will not have a successful experience with blended and online learning. This episode describes strategies that teachers can share with parents and caregivers to initiate a successful school year. About the host: Dr. Wendy Oliver is a highly qualified Tennessee teacher and administrator who has pioneered digital learning across multiple states and school districts. She has authored digital teaching standards and developed software that allows teachers to self-assess their knowledge of digital instruction. No matter which hat she's wearing, her goal is simple -- to empower learners. Dr. Oliver is currently the Chief Learning Officer for EdisonLearning. Follow Dr. Oliver on Twitter @oliver_dr Learn more about EdisonLearning by visiting https://edisonlearning.com/

Students, educators and parents have found themselves in a new learning environment as a result of the pandemic. Our new podcast series “Building the Bridge,” hosted by Dr. Wendy Oliver, addresses how we can create a path to successful learning in this unique era which has forced so many of us to rely on technology for education. The premiere episode, “Getting Started,” provides insights about communication, routine, and organization. A short but sweet weekly podcast designed to bolster educators, parents and students as we navigate through digital learning. About the host: Dr. Wendy Oliver is a highly qualified Tennessee teacher and administrator who has pioneered digital learning across multiple states and school districts. She has authored digital teaching standards and developed software that allows teachers to self-assess their knowledge of digital instruction. No matter which hat she's wearing, her goal is simple -- to empower learners. Dr. Oliver is currently the Chief Learning Officer for EdisonLearning. Follow Dr. Oliver on Twitter @oliver_dr Learn more about EdisonLearning by visiting https://edisonlearning.com/

In this episode we’re talking with Dr. Wendy Oliver, a nationally recognized leader in educational technology and digital learning, who is currently Chief Learning Officer for EdisonLearning.  Her passion is to equip and inform parents and educators to ensure all children have the best learning experience. Dr. Oliver authored Not Your Mama’s Classroom: What You Need to Know as a…Read more

Get the book, Not Your Mama's Classroom: What You Need to Know As A Parent About Your Child's Digital EducationVisit Wendy's website, DrWendyOliver.comFollow Wendy on Twitter @oliver_drAbout The AuthorDr. Wendy Oliver has 20 years of experience in online and blended education. She served as Chief Learning Architect for an online school through Arizona State University, and is currently the Chief Learning Officer at Edison Learning.

Dr. Wendy Oliver serves as Chief Learning Officer for EdisonLearning, a leading international educational services provider with nearly a generation of experience creating effective and sustainable solutions to raise student achievement.  In this role, her experience in digital learning and curriculum design, paired with her expertise in assessment and evaluation, are leveraged to design an innovative, learner-centered curriculum. Expectations around online learning How good design applies to online learning. Teachers are working themselves into the ground to reach students! 19% of teachers said they were adjusted! Also have an 8 year old in her second grade studies. Everyone is in survival mode. Edison learning offering free courses to seniors. Where to go to get help. quality matters and common sense media. How to make things look better? Less is more. How to be a transformative principal? Care about kids.

Contested and complicated histories create the best books. This is true for many volumes and is certainly so for Jazz Dance: A History of the Roots and Branches (University Press of Florida, 2014), a recent work edited by Wendy Oliver and Lindsay Guarino. Picking up where Marshall and Jean Stearns left off over two decades ago, Oliver and Guarino bring to the field a book that culls together some of the best contemporary scholarship on the history, progenitors, and cultural forces that shape the uniquely American art form known as jazz dance. Created in part as a resource for students, the book is unique in its accessibility, diversity of authorship and willingness to engage the complicated racial and social history of jazz dance. Wendy Oliver has been teaching and choreographing at Providence College since 1985, and is the director of the PC Dance Company. Dr. Oliver is Chair of the Department of Theatre, Dance and Film, and also runs the Children’s Dance program on the Providence College campus. An Active dancer and choreographer, Lindsay Guarino is Assistant professor of Music Theatre and Dance at Salve Regina University and artistic director of Extensions Dance Company. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Contested and complicated histories create the best books. This is true for many volumes and is certainly so for Jazz Dance: A History of the Roots and Branches (University Press of Florida, 2014), a recent work edited by Wendy Oliver and Lindsay Guarino. Picking up where Marshall and Jean Stearns left off over two decades ago, Oliver and Guarino bring to the field a book that culls together some of the best contemporary scholarship on the history, progenitors, and cultural forces that shape the uniquely American art form known as jazz dance. Created in part as a resource for students, the book is unique in its accessibility, diversity of authorship and willingness to engage the complicated racial and social history of jazz dance. Wendy Oliver has been teaching and choreographing at Providence College since 1985, and is the director of the PC Dance Company. Dr. Oliver is Chair of the Department of Theatre, Dance and Film, and also runs the Children’s Dance program on the Providence College campus. An Active dancer and choreographer, Lindsay Guarino is Assistant professor of Music Theatre and Dance at Salve Regina University and artistic director of Extensions Dance Company. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Contested and complicated histories create the best books. This is true for many volumes and is certainly so for Jazz Dance: A History of the Roots and Branches (University Press of Florida, 2014), a recent work edited by Wendy Oliver and Lindsay Guarino. Picking up where Marshall and Jean Stearns left off over two decades ago, Oliver and Guarino bring to the field a book that culls together some of the best contemporary scholarship on the history, progenitors, and cultural forces that shape the uniquely American art form known as jazz dance. Created in part as a resource for students, the book is unique in its accessibility, diversity of authorship and willingness to engage the complicated racial and social history of jazz dance. Wendy Oliver has been teaching and choreographing at Providence College since 1985, and is the director of the PC Dance Company. Dr. Oliver is Chair of the Department of Theatre, Dance and Film, and also runs the Children’s Dance program on the Providence College campus. An Active dancer and choreographer, Lindsay Guarino is Assistant professor of Music Theatre and Dance at Salve Regina University and artistic director of Extensions Dance Company. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices