Podcasts about worcester public schools

Thousands came out today to help fight hunger in Massachusetts. One of the pro-Palestinian campus encampents at the University of Southern California has disbanded. Worcester Public Schools is facing a twenty-two million dollar budget deficit. Stay in "The Loop" with #iHeartRadio.

SummaryIn this three part episode, we have the privilege of speaking with three remarkable leaders who share their insights and experiences in addressing critical issues in education.In our first segment, we delve into the importance of collaborative partnerships in school business management with Panther Valley School District's initiative to address parking lot maintenance challenges. By partnering with local municipalities, the district not only saved costs but also enhanced resource utilization and service quality.Next, we explore Worcester Public Schools' transformative transportation initiative, which transitioned from contracted to district-operated transportation. This strategic move resulted in significant cost savings, allowing the district to reinvest in educational resources while improving transportation options and service quality for students.In our third segment, we celebrate Bayard Public Schools' innovative efforts , where they addressed childcare challenges through a collaborative partnership with the city. By establishing a community-owned childcare center within the elementary school, the district not only supported parents but also ensured consistent curriculum and care for children from birth through age five.TakeawaysCollaborative partnerships between school districts and local municipalities can lead to cost savings and improved service quality in areas such as maintenance and transportation.Transitioning from contracted to district-operated services, such as transportation, can result in significant cost savings, allowing districts to allocate resources more effectively and enhance services for students.Addressing childcare challenges through innovative partnerships not only supports parents in the community but also ensures consistent curriculum and care for children, contributing to their overall development and well-being.Strategic initiatives in school business management, such as the establishment of community-owned facilities and shared resource utilization, can have a transformative impact on both the educational system and the broader community.Do you have something innovative and special to share, worthy of the 2024 Pinnacle Award? Apply Here! The deadline is June 1, 2024!Contact School Business Insider: Check us out on social media: LinkedIn Twitter (X) Website: https://asbointl.org/SBI Email: podcast@asbointl.org Make sure to like, subscribe and share for more great insider episodes!Disclaimer:The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker's own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the Association of School Business Officials International. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. The "ASBO International" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service. The presence of any advertising does not endorse, or imply endorsement of, any products or services by ASBO International.ASBO International is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, nonpartisan organization and does not participate or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for elective public office. The sharing of news or information concerning public policy issues or political campaigns and candidates are not, and should not be construed as, endorsements by ASBO Internatio...

Tony and Taylor discuss putting together the November issue cover story on Transportation Director of the Year Teresa Fleming of the School District of Philadelphia, as well as takeaways from the recent National Association of Pupil Transportation (NAPT) Conference & Trade Show.  Live at the NAPT Conference, John Hennessey, director of transportation for Worcester Public Schools in Massachusetts and winner of the NAPT Distinguished Service Award, shares stories and insights from his 35-year career in the industry. Additionally, Fin Livingstone, general manager of Scraper Systems, shares how the FleetPlow safely and efficiently clears snow from school bus roofs. Read more at stnonline.com/tag/leadership. 

Over the summer, Don't Touch My Podcast says, "Don't Touch my Politics" as we sit down with political candidates running for the Worcester City Council and School Committee seats.  About Tracy: Tracy O'Connell Novick is the mother of three children, two Worcester Public Schools alums, one a rising Burncoat High senior; a former Massachusetts public school teacher; a licensed Massachusetts school business administrator; and a longtime education advocate. Professionally, Tracy is in her seventh year as a field director with the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, where she manages social media and focuses on school finance. Tracy is seeking her sixth term on the Worcester School Committee.  During her time on the Worcester School Committee, Tracy spearheaded the Committee's adoption of in-district transportation;  played an active role in the successful search for a new Worcester Public Schools superintendent; has actively reviewed district policy for overdue updates; and has continued to work to direct dollars to the classroom, successfully proposing FY24 funding be moved for a paraprofessional in every kindergarten classroom and an increase in the per-pupil funding for supplies. This continues Tracy's track record of working to get a nurse into every school, to increase facilities funding, and to boost the time and attention on lunch and recess for students. Tracy has continually also been active both on and off the Committee at the state level in advocacy, particularly in equity in school funding. Her online social media is considered the place to keep up with what is happening in Massachusetts education policy by many. Tracy was tireless as an advocate, as a resource, and as an educator in the passage of the Student Opportunity Act, the decades-overdue overhaul of state education funding now bringing billions in state aid to local school districts, and millions to Worcester. Now greeted by "We know: Burncoat" by those at the state level, Tracy continues to press for a new Burncoat High School. Understanding that new high schools only serve some of our students, Tracy also proposed the successful advocacy for the restoration of MSBA Accelerated Repair funding, which has provided millions of dollars in roofs, windows, doors, and boilers to the Worcester Public Schools. She ceaselessly notes that the Worcester Public Schools need and deserve greater capital funding support. While Tracy left the classroom when she had children, she continues to "presume competence," believing that public goods like education are far too important for anyone to be left out, and applies this to discussions of school finance, accountability, curricular standards, and regulations. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/donttouchmypodcast/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/donttouchmypodcast/support

Forty-six years as an educator in Worcester Public Schools, including 6 as Superintendent, Maureen Binienda, is running for Worcester School Committee. She says school safety is of paramount importance and she did not agree with the decision to remove School Resource Officers. Binienda also said whether it is MCAS or not some type of state wide standardized test is needed. She is for budget accountability and increasing partnerships. Photo: Rick Cinclair/Worcester Telegram & Gazette

Superintendent Dr. Rachel Monárrez talks about the upcoming school year for Worcester Public Schools (08/21/23) Photo from Allan Jung/Worcester Telegram

Over the summer, Don't Touch My Podcast says, "Don't Touch my Politics" as we sit down with political candidates running for the Worcester City Council and School Committee seats. In this episode, we sit down with School Committee Member, Jermoh Kamara to discuss her re-election, her dedication to marginalized groups, and enhancing educational access for our students and WPS families. About Jermoh: Jermoh V. Kamara is a member of the Worcester School Committee. She is also the Associate Director of the Center for Well-Being at WPI. Before joining WPI, she was the Director of Wellness and Health Equity at the YWCA of Central Massachusetts. She was an adjunct lecturer as well for the Interdisciplinary and Global Studies Department at WPI and Clark University where she taught research methods in Project Based-Learning.  A PROUD graduate of the Worcester Public Schools, she graduated from Canterbury Street School, Sullivan Middle, and then from the South High Class of 2011. From South High, Jermoh earned a full tuition scholarship to Providence College where she graduated in 2015 and earned a master's in public health degree from New York Medical College. Jermoh is seeking her second term on the Worcester School Committee this 2023 and ask for your vote and support.  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/donttouchmypodcast/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/donttouchmypodcast/support

Over the summer, Don't Touch My Podcast is saying, "Don't Touch My Politics" as we sit down with political candidates running for the Worcester City Council and School Committee seats. In this episode, we sit down with District 5 Council Member, Etel Haxhiaj, to talk about her platform, priorities and her stance of the chicken debate. About Council Member Etel: Etel Haxhiaj is the Director of Public Education and Advocacy at Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance, where she works on homelessness prevention and advocates for affordable housing at the local, state and federal levels.  Etel is serving her first term as the District 5 Worcester City Councilor where she's been a strong advocate for homelessness prevention, tenant protection, affordable housing, protecting tenants from displacement, climate change, zero-fare public transit, safe and walkable streets. Etel's life story is similar to the story of others who fled violence and poverty. She has called Worcester home since 2001, arriving as a young adult with her parents after fleeing Albania's political upheaval. She is also the mom of two young boys in the Worcester Public Schools.  For the past twenty years, she has served the Worcester community as a youth mentor, served residents in the Attorney General's office, supported families in public housing and homeless shelters, organized mothers to fight for a livable climate for all our children for Mothers Out Front, and worked with public transportation and housing coalitions.  As an advocate, she has served on numerous Boards and Commissions, including being a long-term member of the YWCA of Central Massachusetts. Learn More about Etel: https://etelforworcester.com/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/donttouchmypodcast/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/donttouchmypodcast/support

The burden of asthma falls disproportionately among people from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds and communities of color. Children are at risk for higher asthma rates, deaths and hospitalizations due to poor use of effective treatments. In the podcast, Michelle Trivedi, MD, MPH, associate professor of pediatrics, pediatric pulmonologist and asthma clinical researcher, discusses how school-supervised asthma programs can lead to dramatic improvements in the health of underrepresented children within the community who are most vulnerable. Dr. Trivedi shares advances in her research among minority populations in Worcester, Mass. through her collaboration with the Worcester Public Schools. Learn more about Remote Asthma Link: https://childhealthequitycenter.org/childhood-asthma-treatment-and-research/ Read more: https://www.umassmed.edu/news/news-archives/2022/04/remote-asthma-link-keeps-kids-on-preventive-health-track-during-covid-19-school-closures/

By managing its own buses, Worcester Public Schools joins a handful of other school districts that made the same move to improve bus delays and foster better communication with families.

Jeff Cassel, president of the School Bus Safety Company, joins Tony & Taylor to discuss the results of the NASDPTS illegal passing survey and bus stop safety solutions like stop arm cameras and extended stop arms.  Michael Freeman, assistant director of transportation for Worcester Public Schools in Massachusetts, delves into the district's process of bringing bus service in-house, including driver hiring strategies and incorporating collision mitigation technology, onboard tablets, ridership tracking and propane fuel.   Read more at stnonline.com/tag/safety and stnonline.com/tag/operations.

Creator, Writer, and Cohost: Wendy Love Edge Producer: A. Edge Productions Cohost; Angela Edge Editor Flint Woods This week's special guest: Etel Haxhiaj Etel Haxhiaj is the Director of Public Education and Advocacy at Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance, where she works on homelessness prevention and advocates for affordable housing. Etel is also serving her first term as the District 5 City Councilor. Etel's life story is similar to the story of others who fled violence and poverty. She has called Worcester home since 2001, arriving as a young adult with her parents after fleeing Albania's political upheaval. As a new American with the opportunity to complete her undergraduate and graduate studies at Clark University, she has chosen a life of service, investing back in the City she calls home. She is also the mom of two young boys in Worcester Public Schools. For the past sixteen years, she has served our community as a youth mentored, served residents in the Attorney General's office, supported families in public housing and homeless shelters, and organized mothers to fight for a livable climate for all our children. As an advocate, she served on the City's Community Development Block Grant Committee and has been a long-time board member of the YWCA of Central Massachusetts.

Somerville Suspension casehttps://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/05/25/metro/they-called-police-6-year-old-now-somerville-school-leaders-are-suspending-school-police-programs/The Great Divide series - Boston Globehttps://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/education/k-12/education-project/?p1=Article_Inline_Related_LinkMADESE laws and regulations regarding Student Disciplinehttps://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-law-about-student-disciplineMGL c.71, § 37H  Schools must have policies about student discipline, and students must get a handbook that explains the rules. A student who brings a weapon or drugs to school, or assaults a staff member may be expelled.MGL c.71, § 37H-1/2  If a student is charged with a felony, they may be suspended. If they are convicted of a felony, they may be expelled. The student can appeal the decision.MGL c.71, § 37H-3/4  Rules for schools to follow if they suspend or expel a student for any other reasonMGL c.76, § 21  Helping a student who is suspended or expelled continue their educationMahanoy Area School District v. B. L., 594 U.S. ___ , 141 S.Ct. 2038While public schools may have a special interest in regulating some off-campus student speech, the special interests offered by the school are not sufficient to overcome B. L.'s interest in free expression in this case.Doe v. Worcester Public Schools, 484 Mass. 598 (2020)The school "superintendent lacked authority to delegate responsibility for hearing and deciding the appeal, given that the initial suspension exceeded ninety days and therefore constituted an expulsion."Massachusetts school discipline laws & regulations by category, US Dept. of Education, March 31, 2021"For each of the states or jurisdictions, discipline related laws and regulations are categorized by the type of specific discipline issue they address. Resources from government-sponsored websites and other sources are also included for each jurisdiction where available."Parent guide to school discipline: when my child is disciplined at school: a guide for Massachusetts families, Appleseed Center, 2015.Great information to help parents when their child has been disciplined at school. Explains some of the common consequences for misbehavior, from missing recess to expulsion. Includes a lot of information on appealing a school discipline decision.Prot

In this episode, Franchesca interviews Kwame Sarfo-Mensah from Identity Talk for Educators to discuss how toxic school cultures weigh on the mental health of educators. Kwame Sarfo-Mensah is a 14-year veteran urban educator and the founder of Identity Talk Consulting, an independent educational consulting firm that provides professional development and consulting services to K-12 school districts, educators, colleges & universities and educational non-profit organizations. He is also the author of two books: "Shaping the Teacher Identity: 8 Lessons That Will Help Define the Teacher in You" and "From Inaction to 'In Action': Creating a New Normal for Urban Educators". As a staunch ambassador and advocate for teacher empowerment, Kwame has spoken at numerous national education conferences and worked diligently to support the recruitment and retention of teachers of color in the education system. In January 2019, he was selected to be in the inaugural cohort of the InSPIRED (In-Service Professionals Increasing Racial and Ethnic Diversity) Fellowship, an initiative organized by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education for veteran teachers of color to recruit students of color to teach in Massachusetts. As an InSPIRED Teaching Fellow, Kwame facilitated professional development workshops for aspiring teachers at universities such as Boston College, UMass Boston, and Worcester State University and has served as a guest speaker for non-profit teacher pipeline programs such as Generation Teach and Worcester Public Schools' Future Teachers Academy. A proud graduate of Temple University, Kwame holds a Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics and a Master's Degree in Elementary Education. He was honored as the 2019 National Member of the Year by Black Educators Rock, Inc. for his unwavering commitment to the advancement of the teacher profession. Kwame's work has also been featured in Teaching Channel, Edutopia, Education Post, WGBH News, The Educators' Room, and Medium. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/teacher-self-care/support

Mask Requirements in Worcester Public Schools with School Committee Member Laura Clancey. (August 12th, 2021).

Dan started off the hour by checking in with Worcester mom Shanel Soucy about the new comprehensive sex education curriculum Worcester Public Schools is debating. On Wednesday there was a march in Worcester organized by parents and local church leaders, opposing the curriculum. We've been keeping an eye on the story as the school committee is set to make a decision on Thursday of this week. Dan then dives into his second topic, Rolling Thunder Muffled:The Biden Administration has rejected the permit for the annual Rolling to Remember motorcycle ride usually held on Memorial Day in Washington D.C. The event is sponsored by AMVETS and was permitted as usual by local officials and by both the Interior and Transportation Agencies before being stopped cold by the Pentagon who rescinded their approval with no explanation. Has the Administration made a mistake in blocking the veteran’s charity? Is this action motivated by COVID fears or is it a political statement?

Worcester Public Schools is considering a new comprehensive sex education curriculum that has many parents concerned. The proposed kindergarten through grade 12 health program is being described by some parents and local church leaders as “graphic comprehensive sexuality education”. School officials argue the program is a long-needed step to curb teen pregnancy, teen STDs, and other negative consequences of youth sexual activity. Here to discuss this curriculum is concerned Worcester parent Jason DeSilva and Pastor Kris Casey of Adams Square Baptist Church.

City Manager Ed Augustus on Standing with the Asian-American Community against hate, racism, and violence, School Resource Officers Out of Worcester Public Schools by 2022, & Modernizing the City through technology.

Professional development, staffing, and support can often be neglected when budgets are tight and you're starting a new initiative in a school district. Sarah Kyriazis from Worcester Public Schools in Massachusetts takes us through their plan to build capacity to address these issues with their iTeacher and iPrincipal programs. Thanks for joining us today on Focus on K-12, EdTech and The Education Experience. If you enjoyed the show, please subscribe. If you have any ideas for future guests or you'd like to contact us about the show, please reach out to me on Twitter @dkonopelko. Thanks for tuning in and we will see you next time, as we Focus on K-12. Links to Resources from the Show: Video Podcast

What are students actually looking for when it comes to changes in public education? Is our community truly centering and valuing the voices of the kids experiencing the systems that we’ve built for them? Today, we’re talking with two young organizers; both alumni of South High School in Worcester. And while we talk at a local level, this conversation echoes into so many other districts where students are working to have their voices heard. #PublicHearingPodcast

In this episode, I chat with Kwame Sarfo-Mensah, a 14-year veteran urban educator and the founder of Identity Talk Consulting, LLC., an independent educational consulting firm that provides professional development and consulting services to K-12 school districts, educators, colleges & universities and educational non-profit organizations. He is also the author of two books: "Shaping the Teacher Identity: 8 Lessons That Will Help Define the Teacher in You" and "From Inaction to 'In Action': Creating a New Normal for Urban Educators". As a staunch ambassador and advocate for teacher empowerment, Kwame has spoken at numerous national education conferences and worked diligently to support the recruitment and retention of teachers of color in the education system. In January 2019, he was selected to be in the inaugural cohort of the InSPIRED (In-Service Professionals Increasing Racial and Ethnic Diversity) Fellowship, an initiative organized by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education for veteran teachers of color to recruit students of color to teach in Massachusetts. As an InSPIRED Teaching Fellow, Kwame facilitated professional development workshops for aspiring teachers at universities Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.and has served as a guest speaker for non-profit teacher pipeline programs such as Generation Teach and Worcester Public Schools' Future Teachers Academy. A proud graduate of Temple University, Kwame holds a Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics and a Master's Degree in Elementary Education. He was honored as the 2019 National Member of the Year by Black Educators Rock, Inc. for his unwavering commitment to the advancement of the teacher profession. Kwame's work has also been featured in Edutopia, Education Post, WGBH News, The Educators' Room, LLC., and Medium. During our conversation we engaged in a controversial, yet needed conversation around the idea that educational systems were not designed for students of color. Kwame discusses the need for teachers to actually begin developing content rich, culturally responsive lessons so that all of our students are prepared to transition into higher ed or the workplace. He stresses that students of color are often not being developed as critical thinkers and thus contributors to society but instead being conditioned for compliance and obedience. Kwame suggests taking inventory of our students' talents and developing opportunities for them to tap into that potential as opposed to adhering to narrow definitions of achievement. We also discussed the concept of advocacy and standing up for the students in our care. That it is our job, our duty to recognize our value and worth so that we are not intimidated to speak on behalf of our students when there exists injustice. Follow Kwame here Shaping the Teacher Identity: 8 Lessons That Will Help Define the Teacher in You From “Inaction” to “In Action”: Creating a New Normal for Urban Educators --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support

This week we sat down with Keyshawn O'Connell—a recent college grad from College of the Holy Cross—who talked to us about some of his experiences growing up in Worcester, attending the public schools, and getting involved with programs like Recreation Worcester, Dynamy Youth Academy (Upward Bound), and Bottom line. Keyshawn shares his thoughts on how we might strengthen educational spaces for youth including increasing teacher diversity and giving young people a voice at the table.More on Recreation Worcester.More on Dynamy. More on Upward Bound.

Solving the Inequities that Divide WHBLE's CEO, award-winning writer and director, Ah-Keisha McCants talks with Kwame Sarfo-Mensah, founder of Identity Talk Consulting. A former math teacher in Philadelphia and Boston public schools, Kwame talks about the rampant and ignored racial and socioeconomic disparities in educational access, the reactionary approach of schools in the midst of the pandemic, and what might be gained in meeting the demand for alternative career pathway opportunities as a means of achievement and liberation for Black students and their peers. Kwame Sarfo-Mensa is the founder of Identity Talk Consulting, LLC., an independent educational consulting firm that provides professional development and consulting services to educators globally who desire to enhance their instructional practices and reach their utmost potential in the classroom. Throughout his 14-year career as a public school educator, author, and entrepreneur, Kwame has been on a personal mission to uplift and empower educators who are committed to reversing the ills of the public education system in America and globally. As a staunch ambassador and advocate for teacher empowerment, Kwame has spoken at numerous national education conferences and worked diligently to support the recruitment and retention of teachers of color in the education system. In January 2019, he was one of 35 Massachusetts teachers of color by Commissioner Jeff Riley to be in the inaugural cohort of the InSPIRED (In-Service Professionals Increasing Racial and Ethnic Diversity) Fellowship, an initiative organized by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education for veteran teachers of color to recruit students of color at the high school, undergraduate, and graduate levels to teach in targeted districts within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. As an InSPIRED Teaching Fellow, Kwame facilitated professional development workshops for aspiring teachers at universities such as Boston College, UMass Boston, and Worcester State University and has served as a guest speaker for non-profit teacher pipeline programs such as Generation Teach and Worcester Public Schools' Future Teachers Academy. Recognizing the increasing demand for alternative career pathway opportunities within the Black and Latinx teaching community in the Greater Boston area, Kwame founded and organized the inaugural Boston Edupreneurs of Color Symposium, a one-day community event for educators and community members looking to leverage their skill sets as educators to give back to the community, learn valuable lessons about the importance of entrepreneurship and the necessary steps they need to build a successful small business and/or a non-profit organization. A proud graduate of Temple University, Kwame holds a Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics and a Master's Degree in Education. He was honored as the 2019 Member of the Year by Black Educators Rock, Inc. for his unwavering commitment to the advancement of the teacher profession. As he has ascended the ranks of the teaching profession, Kwame has always stayed true to his identity as an educator and is motivated to help others do the same as they navigate their educator journeys. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/whble/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/whble/support

Laura Cahill of the Worcester Public Schools talks about her revolutionary professional development program using podcasts to create PD. Laura curates podcast episodes to assist teachers in remote professional development, a key strategy for engaging and assisting teachers in the current COVID crisis. We discuss her podcast PD format, our favorite podcasts, and try not to fall into Inception. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/get-a-cue/message

Google News and Updates Autocorrect now available for Google Docs on web Smart Compose in Google Docs now generally available Edit your new Google Sites faster with a revamped Settings menu Google Maps 101: how contributed content makes a more helpful map The Suite Life: 4 tips for a more manageable Gmail inbox Featured Content Jessica Brogley currently teaches courses in educational technology in the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin Platteville. Prior to this, she served in the Platteville School District as the Instructional Technology Support Specialist and the Digital Communication Specialist for three years. Jessica cut her teeth as an 8-12th grade English Language Arts and College Credit Public Speaking for Seymour Community Schools in Seymour, Wisconsin for 11 years.Jessica is one of the few educators in Southwest Wisconsin who is a Google for Education Certified Trainer, Innovator, and Google Streetview Certified. She's also a Level 8 Google Local guide with over 1700 photos, over 500 are photospheres. This past fall, Jessica was also one of 200 people selected world-wide by Google to attend the 2019 Connect Live event, completely sponsored by Google in San Jose, CA in the Fall of 2019. That conference not only celebrated the top Google Maps contributors, but it also gave her a chance to ask questions and provide feedback to actual Google employees. She also founded the Southwest Wisconsin Google Educator Group. Resources Insta360 cameras (two fisheye lenses on each side). Connect the phone to the device via wifi. The phone is like the shutter. Stitches image together as one spherical image. Transfer back from the camera to phone: what to do. Retouch ($2 app) erases yourself out of the photo. Use Google Street View app: upload to google maps. Tiny Planet photography. Kids write about aspects of the community. (Early standard in elementary.) Use camera: photograph police station, firehouse, city hall, school, etc. Publish to account. Use tour creator to write about the significance. They can’t write collaboratively but can take turns. (Fire department: didn’t know what certain things are. Study: what that is what does it do?) Tourist opportunity: where to enjoy an afternoon, historical locations, etc. Google Teacher Podcast Mailbag Laura Cahill (Massachusetts) - I couldn't listen to this episode fast enough because the ISTE Standards have become such a driving force in my work as an edtech coach! After going through the ISTE certification process with my team (the Instructional Technology and Digital Learning Department in the Worcester Public Schools in Massachusetts), we quickly realized what an amazing framework the ISTE Standards would be for powerful teaching and learning. One way we started to use them to support students and teachers was by creating a crosswalk document between our state DLCS standards and the ISTE student standards. This has been huge in terms of helping our teachers see the bigger goal of creating "Empowered Learners" which we all agreed is the overarching goal and the standard that all of the other lead toward. Now, when planning PD for teachers, we use the ISTE Educator Standards to guide us and have started to educate our principals in them so they know what to look for in classrooms. I may be overly-enthusiastic about this but I wanted you to know that I really appreciate you bringing them to the masses! (and, I highly recommend the ISTE certification if you can ever find the time!... I am not compensated in any way to say that!) On The Blogs Matt - 20 free Google Slides and PowerPoint themes for teachers (plus lesson ideas) Kasey - The Instructional Playbook (interview with Jim Knight)

Worcester Public Schools faces a disturbing trend in regards to its homeless student population. WBZ NewsRadio's Kim Tunnicliffe reports.

The last installment in our local education accountability series begins with reflections from Ben and Juana on the journey. Then Jim Caradonio, former superintendent of the Worcester Public Schools, visits MassINC to share lessons from his long career in public education. And we travel up to Lowell to hear about parent-led efforts to reinvigorate school councils.

The latest Mass State Police scandal might be the most twisted one yet. We discuss the facts we know so far in the alleged rape of trooper Angela Guerrera by her ex-boyfriend and former trooper Robert Sundberg, and share with you some new information I haven't dropped in a blog yet. Also in Worcester the same SJWs we buried a few years ago are back from the dead and coming after Worcester Public Schools superintendent Maureen Binienda. Here's why they're terrible people.

Did you know UMass Medical School has been investing in the unmet needs of students in Worcester Public Schools for more than 20 years? In the latest podcast, you will learn about the various programs that are supporting students, and how that commitment is making a huge difference in the lives of students and teachers.

508 is a show about Worcester. This week, we talk with some Worcester Public Schools art teachers, at the opening of their group show at the Sprinkler Factory, “Making Our Mark.” Guests include Keri Anderson, Jay Benotti, Christine Cross, Alana Juneau, Stacy Lord, Cory Shepherd, Michael Walden, and Fran Warner. Audio: Download the mp3 or … Continue reading "508 #253: Making Our Mark"