129. Two Revolutions Squared, with Kim Ah Soon and Catherine Thorn

[I am releasing this episode while in Nevada City, CA, where my daughter, Emma Reppun (now Emma Jean George), my 101st episode, just got married to her now husband, Jaden. It was a joyous occasion - so in that spirit, I release this 129th episode.] This episode features two guests and largely focuses on the What School Could Be, 2Revolutions masters program in Learner-Centered Schools & Systems, which is geared towards innovative educators seeking to develop capacity as teacher leaders, instructional coaches, and supportive leaders working towards educational transformation. My guests are 2Revolutions’s Senior Consultant, Catherine Thorn, and Wai’alae Elementary Public Charter School Curriculum Coordinator and Instructional Coach, Kim Ah Soon, who will graduate from the aforementioned masters program in July, 2024, a few weeks after this episode airs. Catherine Thorn has nearly 20 years of classroom and educational leadership experience. She holds a B.A. in Biology from Boston University and an M.Ed. from the University of Massachusetts. She completed a The Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Leading and Learning in a Competency-Based System at Southern New Hampshire University; this program was a product of a collaboration between Southern New Hampshire University and 2Revolutions. Over the course of 20 years Catherine has held numerous positions as a classroom educator and an education leader and change agent in Massachusetts, Maine and New Hampshire. Now a Coach for 2Revolutions, Catherine has co-facilitated state-level professional learning communities focused on leveraging performance assessment as evidence of graduation readiness and served as an adjunct professor for Spalding University. Catherine is leveraging her passions and experiences in implementing competency-based, student-centered learning to support 2Revolutions’s Graduate programs and Communities of Practice. The best way for me to introduce Kim Ah Soon is to read from a letter of recommendation written on her behalf by Mary Wenstrom, the CEO of the school she works at, which is Waialae Elementary Public Charter School. Mary wrote, “She has been an educator for 34 years and has been willing to learn, unlearn, and relearn. She possesses a genuine warmth and empathy that allows her to connect with educators at all levels, from veteran teachers to those just starting their careers. Kim doesn't simply connect; she leads. She exhibits a unique blend of empathy and knowledge. She can readily understand a teacher's challenges and frustrations, yet she also possesses the pedagogical expertise to offer insightful solutions. This makes her coaching sessions incredibly valuable, as teachers feel both heard and supported in their journey towards growth. She has a talent for building capacity within her colleagues, empowering them to become more effective educators.” One of Kim’s student’s parents once wrote, “You're a real person in a world where real people are hard to find. And when my son needed you, when I needed someone even though I tried so hard not to need anyone, you were there. You were my friend when I needed a real one. Beautiful and high praise, which is why I am glad to have Kim on this show. Prior to her position at Waialae Elementary Public Charter School Kim taught for more than 23 years at Ben Parker Elementary and Hawaii Technology Academy. She is also active in several organizations working to prepare kids for the workforce of today, and tomorrow, including the Pilina Education Alliance. Post production provided by Evan Kurohara. Our theme music comes from master pianist, Michael Sloan. Please leave us a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!