KindlED

Have you ever wondered how the way we communicate can transform our relationships and communities? Morris H. Ervin Jr., an expert in Non-Violent Communication (NVC), joins Kaity & Adriane to explore the profound impact of empathy and honest expression in building meaningful connections.What to listen for:What is Non-Violent Communication (NVC), and why is it crucial for creating empathetic relationships?How can self-connection and self-awareness enhance our ability to communicate effectively?Practical examples of applying NVC in personal relationships to express needs and make clear requests.The transformative power of NVC in the classroom: using curiosity and empathy to address student behavior and needs.So, what are you waiting for? Tune in to gain insights into the art of nonviolent communication and how it can help you build authentic and empathetic connections.About the guest:Morris H. Ervin Jr. is the founder of Mansa Consulting and author of Reflections of a Troubled Black Man: A Teacher’s Quest Turning Fear into Strength and Pain into Passion. With over 20 years of experience, Morris has pioneered social and emotional mentoring programs, leadership seminars, mindfulness retreats, and community engagement initiatives. As a Social Studies Teacher in South Central Los Angeles, he developed a unique African American History curriculum and implemented Nonviolent Communication in the classroom, dedicated to keeping young boys off the streets, out of gangs, and away from prisons.Connect with Morris: WebsiteInstagramMentioned in this episode:The Message by Grand Master FlashThe Center for Nonviolent CommunicationNonviolent Communication: A Language of Life by Marshall B. Rosenberg Giraffe Language and Jackal Language | Nonviolent Communication explained by Marshall RosenbergGot a story to share or question you want us to answer? Send us a message!About the podcastThe KindlED Podcast explores the science of nurturing children's potential and creating empowering learning environments.Powered by Prenda Microschools, each episode offers actionable insights to help you ignite your child's love of learning. We'll dive into evidence-based tools and techniques that kindle young learners' curiosity, motivation, and well-being. Got a burning question?We're all ears! If you have a question or topic you'd love our hosts to tackle, please send it to podcast@prenda.com. Let's dive into the conversation together!Important links:• Connect with us on social • Get our free literacy curriculum Interested in starting a microschool?Prenda provides all the tools and support you need to start and run an amazing microschool. Create a free Prenda World account to start designing your future microschool today. More info at ➡️ Prenda.com or if you're ready to get going ➡️ Start My Microschool

Have you ever wondered if the current educational system truly harnesses the potential within each student? Tom Arnett, a senior research fellow at the Clayton Christensen Institute, joins us to talk about the significant shifts from traditional learning environments to innovative, technology-enhanced systems that offer personalized education.What to listen for: • What do current parent sentiment and enrollment data tell us about the state of education?• What are the main reasons parents are exploring alternative educational options like microschools and hybrid schools? • Why is change so challenging within traditional education systems?• What does the future hold for education over the next 5 to 10 years?Overall, this episode offers a sneak peek into a future where education is tailored to fit the learning needs of each individual student rather than a one-size-fits-all experience.  So, what are you waiting for? Tune in to gain insights into the exciting possibilities that lie ahead.About the guest:Thomas Arnett is a senior research fellow for the Clayton Christensen Institute. His work focuses on identifying the enabling conditions for disrupting the conventional batch-processing model of schooling. He also studies the circumstances that lead teachers, administrators, and families to adopt new approaches to education.Thomas began his work in education as a middle school math teacher in Kansas City Public Schools through Teach For America and as an Education Pioneers fellow with the Achievement First Public Charter Schools. He has also served as an elected trustee and board president for the Morgan Hill Unified School District and currently serves as president of the board of Compass Charter Schools.For a full transcript of this episode, go here.Resources mentioned in this episode:• Christensen Institute — christenseninstitute.org • Follow Tom on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasarnett/• Follow Tom on X — https://twitter.com/ArnettTomGot a story to share or question you want us to answer? Send us a message!About the podcastThe KindlED Podcast explores the science of nurturing children's potential and creating empowering learning environments.Powered by Prenda Microschools, each episode offers actionable insights to help you ignite your child's love of learning. We'll dive into evidence-based tools and techniques that kindle young learners' curiosity, motivation, and well-being. Got a burning question?We're all ears! If you have a question or topic you'd love our hosts to tackle, please send it to podcast@prenda.com. Let's dive into the conversation together!Important links:• Connect with us on social • Get our free literacy curriculum Interested in starting a microschool?Prenda provides all the tools and support you need to start and run an amazing microschool. Create a free Prenda World account to start designing your future microschool today. More info at ➡️ Prenda.com or if you're ready to get going ➡️ Start My Microschool

This week, Kaity and Adriane chat with Melquea Smith, a New York-based children's book illustrator who is obsessed with children's media. Melquea shares her love of designing black characters for children's books and creating characters that children can relate to, from the curls of their hair to the unique patterns of their clothes.Melquea also shares the secrets of her craft, her approach to the process of creating authentic black characters in her illustrations, and how she's changing the game by redefining representation in children's literature. This episode also covers the significant shift towards inclusivity in children's books, the challenges illustrators face in the industry when it comes to depicting black characters, and just how important it is for children to see themselves reflected in the books they read.Melquea emphasizes the significance of portraying black joy in children's book illustrations, highlighting how crucial this is for fostering a sense of belonging and self-worth among young black readers. Plus, she even gives us some insight into how we can live in the "what if" and embrace our own authentic creativity in our day-to-day lives.This is an episode you don't want to miss! Tune in now.ABOUT THE GUEST:Melquea Smith is a New York based children's book illustrator with an obsession with children’s media. When not illustrating, you can find her watching cartoons and animated movies, learning all about Japan, practicing Spanish with her cat Kilala, and patting her other cat Bumblebee on her super fluffy tummy.Got a story to share or question you want us to answer? Send us a message!About the podcastThe KindlED Podcast explores the science of nurturing children's potential and creating empowering learning environments.Powered by Prenda Microschools, each episode offers actionable insights to help you ignite your child's love of learning. We'll dive into evidence-based tools and techniques that kindle young learners' curiosity, motivation, and well-being. Got a burning question?We're all ears! If you have a question or topic you'd love our hosts to tackle, please send it to podcast@prenda.com. Let's dive into the conversation together!Important links:• Connect with us on social • Get our free literacy curriculum Interested in starting a microschool?Prenda provides all the tools and support you need to start and run an amazing microschool. Create a free Prenda World account to start designing your future microschool today. More info at ➡️ Prenda.com or if you're ready to get going ➡️ Start My Microschool

This podcast discusses mastery-based learning, the risks of excessive screen time, essential features of educational technology, challenges of implementing mastery-based learning without technology, and the benefits of a mastery-focused approach. It explores the impact of technology in promoting mastery-based learning, the importance of personalized teaching methods, and optimizing screen time for effective learning in children.

This week, Kaity and Adriane chat with Natalie Wexler, an education writer and the author of "The Knowledge Gap," about the root causes of the pervasive knowledge gap, the unintended consequences of modern education, and actionable solutions for closing the achievement gap and igniting a love of learning in students.Episode 43 also explores: 🔥 the significance of explicit instruction, guided practice, and frequent retrieval practice🔥 the link between screen time, family dynamics, and academic success🔥 the importance of having a good curriculum🔥 the systemic challenges that teachers face 🔥 and so much more!So, don't miss out on this insightful conversation and learn how to improve student outcomes in education!KEY TAKEAWAYS:🔑 Building knowledge is crucial for student success, particularly in reading comprehension.🔑 Writing instruction can reinforce knowledge and develop analytical abilities.👤 ABOUT THE GUEST 👤Natalie Wexler is an education writer and the author of The Knowledge Gap: The Hidden Cause of America's Broken Education System—and How to Fix It (Avery 2019). She is also the co-author, with Judith C. Hochman, of The Writing Revolution: A Guide to Advancing Thinking Through Writing in All Subjects and Grades (Jossey-Bass 2017) and the host of "Reading Comprehension Revisited," a six-episode series for the Knowledge Matters Podcast. Her articles and essays have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, The American Scholar, and other publications. She is a senior contributor to Forbes.com, and she has a free Substack newsletter called Minding the Gap. Got a story to share or question you want us to answer? Send us a message!About the podcastThe KindlED Podcast explores the science of nurturing children's potential and creating empowering learning environments.Powered by Prenda Microschools, each episode offers actionable insights to help you ignite your child's love of learning. We'll dive into evidence-based tools and techniques that kindle young learners' curiosity, motivation, and well-being. Got a burning question?We're all ears! If you have a question or topic you'd love our hosts to tackle, please send it to podcast@prenda.com. Let's dive into the conversation together!Important links:• Connect with us on social • Get our free literacy curriculum Interested in starting a microschool?Prenda provides all the tools and support you need to start and run an amazing microschool. Create a free Prenda World account to start designing your future microschool today. More info at ➡️ Prenda.com or if you're ready to get going ➡️ Start My Microschool

This week, Kaity and Adriane chatted with Ned Johnson, co-author of "The Self-Driven Child" and "What Do You Say?" about healthy brain development. Episode 42  explores: 🔥 the impact of school start times on brain development🔥 fostering genuine connections that inspire our youth to thrive in and out of the classroom🔥 the need for an ideal learning environment🔥 technology's double-edged sword in modern childhood🔥 the power of intrinsic motivation🔥 how happiness and engagement are crucial for effective learning🔥 and so much more!Tune in for a conversation that will equip you with the strategies you need to nurture a generation capable of facing anything with a self-driven spirit.👤 ABOUT THE GUEST 👤Ned Johnson is the founder of PrepMatters, an educational company that helps students find success in high school and get into and through college.  A professional “tutor geek" since 1993, Ned has spent more than 50,000 one-on-one hours helping students conquer an alphabet of standardized tests, learn to manage their anxiety and develop their motivation to succeed.  With Dr. William Stixrud, Ned co-authored The Self-Driven Child: The Science and Sense of Giving Your Kids More Control Over Their Lives and What Do You Say?  How To Talk With Kids To Build Motivation, Stress Tolerance, and a Happy Home. He is the host of The Self-Driven Child podcast, and his work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, NPR, BBC, and many others. Resources mentioned:Katey McPhersonLisa Lewis - The Sleep Deprived TeenPeter GrayLenore SkenazyLearned Helplessness at Fifty: Insights from NeuroscienceRest Is Not Idleness: Implications of the Brain’s Default Mode for Human Development Got a story to share or question you want us to answer? Send us a message!About the podcastThe KindlED Podcast explores the science of nurturing children's potential and creating empowering learning environments.Powered by Prenda Microschools, each episode offers actionable insights to help you ignite your child's love of learning. We'll dive into evidence-based tools and techniques that kindle young learners' curiosity, motivation, and well-being. Got a burning question?We're all ears! If you have a question or topic you'd love our hosts to tackle, please send it to podcast@prenda.com. Let's dive into the conversation together!Important links:• Connect with us on social • Get our free literacy curriculum Interested in starting a microschool?Prenda provides all the tools and support you need to start and run an amazing microschool. Create a free Prenda World account to start designing your future microschool today. More info at ➡️ Prenda.com or if you're ready to get going ➡️ Start My Microschool

This week, Kaity and Adriane chat with Norton Rainey, CEO of ACE Scholarships. Norton is all in on opening doors to top-notch education for every kid, no matter where they come from. In this episode, Norton dives into how ACE Scholarships is making a huge difference for families and just how important it is for parents to stand up for their kids' learning.Episode 41 also explores: 🔥 tax credits and Education Savings Accounts and what that means for public schools' cash flow🔥 how tech makes it a breeze to apply for scholarships🔥 the future of learning🔥 and so much more!Don't miss this eye-opening conversation on how school choice and education policy are changing lives 🚀✨*Correction: In the episode, Kaity says ClassWallet is the program manager for Arizona's Empowerment Scholarship Accounts. However, the Arizona Department of Education administers the ESA program, and ClassWallet is the financial management platform for the ESA program.👤 ABOUT THE GUEST 👤Norton Rainey serves as the CEO of ACE Scholarships, leading the charge for education reform in America. ACE Scholarships provides K-12 scholarships to lower-income children, enabling them to attend private K-12 schools. In addition, the organization collaborates with state legislatures to advocate for school choice policies. KEY TAKEAWAYS:Zip codes often determine the quality of education a student receives, with lower-income neighborhoods having limited access to good schools.Education savings accounts (ESAs) and other school choice programs allow parents to choose the best educational environment for their children.Research shows that school choice programs have positive outcomes, including higher graduation rates, improved test scores, and increased parental engagement.🔗 LINKS 🔗  Learn more about ACE Scholarships and their work in the school choice movement.Follow Norton on LinkedInFollow ACE Scholarships on FacebookFollow ACE Scholarships on InstagramGot a story to share or question you want us to answer? Send us a message!About the podcastThe KindlED Podcast explores the science of nurturing children's potential and creating empowering learning environments.Powered by Prenda Microschools, each episode offers actionable insights to help you ignite your child's love of learning. We'll dive into evidence-based tools and techniques that kindle young learners' curiosity, motivation, and well-being. Got a burning question?We're all ears! If you have a question or topic you'd love our hosts to tackle, please send it to podcast@prenda.com. Let's dive into the conversation together!Important links:• Connect with us on social • Get our free literacy curriculum Interested in starting a microschool?Prenda provides all the tools and support you need to start and run an amazing microschool. Create a free Prenda World account to start designing your future microschool today. More info at ➡️ Prenda.com or if you're ready to get going ➡️ Start My Microschool

This week, Kaity and Adriane chat with Matt Barnes, who works to help parents defend their children from hidden threats that are unique to the 21st century. In this episode, Matt uncovers three of those threats.Matt also discusses the challenges faced by students in the education system and the importance of empowering parents to take ownership of their children's education. He highlights the impact of technology and AI on children and emphasizes the need for a more flexible and relevant education system. Matt addresses the growing issue of youth loneliness and advises parents and educators on how to support authentic learning and address mental health concerns. He even shares his vision for the future of education and the importance of continuous learning and growth.Episode 40 also explores: 🔥 the importance of critical thinking and self-leadership in nurturing the next generation🔥 the specific educational barriers faced by black boys🔥 how we can overturn a system that too often leaves black youth behind🔥 and so much more!KEY TAKEAWAYS:🔑  The education system needs to adapt to the changing needs of students and provide more flexibility and relevance.🔑  Technology and AI can have both positive and negative impacts on children, and parents need to be aware of the potential dangers.🔑  Youth loneliness is a growing concern we need to address by fostering meaningful connections and relationships.ABOUT THE GUEST:Matt is the husband of one wife, three kids, and a rescue dog. Over the last 25 years, Matt has run an $18m hospital department, distributed $500m in philanthropy, led an education reform nonprofit, served on 10 educational boards, including a public and private college, started three companies, and has coached thousands of parents on how to grow learners in the 21st century. Matt's current project is an employee-owned bread company with formerly homeless residents at a local group home in Houston, Texas. Matt sits on several boards and is an Elder in his church.LINKS: 🔗 Subscribe to Matt's YouTube channel🔗 Follow Matt on LinkedIn🔗 Check out Matt's websiteGot a story to share or question you want us to answer? Send us a message!About the podcastThe KindlED Podcast explores the science of nurturing children's potential and creating empowering learning environments.Powered by Prenda Microschools, each episode offers actionable insights to help you ignite your child's love of learning. We'll dive into evidence-based tools and techniques that kindle young learners' curiosity, motivation, and well-being. Got a burning question?We're all ears! If you have a question or topic you'd love our hosts to tackle, please send it to podcast@prenda.com. Let's dive into the conversation together!Important links:• Connect with us on social • Get our free literacy curriculum Interested in starting a microschool?Prenda provides all the tools and support you need to start and run an amazing microschool. Create a free Prenda World account to start designing your future microschool today. More info at ➡️ Prenda.com or if you're ready to get going ➡️ Start My Microschool

This week, Kaity and Adriane chat with Mike Oliver, the progressive principal of Mountain View High School in Mesa, Arizona, about the components of an ideal educational opportunity for students. Mike, driven by the profound belief in doing what's best for kids, was also the founding principal of Zaharis Elementary School, recognized as one of the “25 most innovative, inspiring and coolest schools in America." Episode 39 also explores: 🔥 the importance of disrupting culture-bound biases and embracing diversity in education🔥 the power of book clubs🔥 the benefits of co-creating and constructivist learning🔥 the challenges of transitioning to a new learning paradigm🔥 and so much more!This episode covers Mike's story and how it fits into the larger movement toward creating learning environments that foster purpose, real-world connections, and the joy of discovery. You don't want to miss it!KEY TAKEAWAYS:🔑 Redesigning the education system requires a shift in teaching and learning methods.🔑 Building relationships and creating joyful learning experiences are key to student success.🔑 Standardized tests and grades should be reevaluated as measures of success.Got a story to share or question you want us to answer? Send us a message!About the podcastThe KindlED Podcast explores the science of nurturing children's potential and creating empowering learning environments.Powered by Prenda Microschools, each episode offers actionable insights to help you ignite your child's love of learning. We'll dive into evidence-based tools and techniques that kindle young learners' curiosity, motivation, and well-being. Got a burning question?We're all ears! If you have a question or topic you'd love our hosts to tackle, please send it to podcast@prenda.com. Let's dive into the conversation together!Important links:• Connect with us on social • Get our free literacy curriculum Interested in starting a microschool?Prenda provides all the tools and support you need to start and run an amazing microschool. Create a free Prenda World account to start designing your future microschool today. More info at ➡️ Prenda.com or if you're ready to get going ➡️ Start My Microschool

This week, Kaity and Adriane chat with Olivia Nannono, the executive director of Enhance Humanity Uganda, about the challenges communities in Uganda face when it comes to accessing education and what her organization is doing about it. During the episode, you'll hear about the amazing work Enhance Humanity Uganda is doing to develop self-reliance and break cycles of dependency across Ugandan communities. You'll also learn about the importance of unconditional love and attachment in helping children thrive, the need for parent education to create safe and nurturing homes, and the significance of English literacy in Uganda.Episode 38 also explores: 🔥 the role of learning centers in providing a safe space for children🔥 Olivia's journey of establishing the learning center🔥 the materials and opportunities available at the center, including teaching English and computer skills🔥 the need for partnerships and support to make the program sustainable🔥 the challenges and strategies of teaching kids with different educational backgrounds🔥 the power of literacy and learning🔥 and so much more!This episode is a heartfelt reminder of the remarkable changes that occur when children receive the love and support they deserve. You don't want to miss it! ABOUT THE GUEST:Olivia Nannono holds a diploma in law and is trained in leadership, counseling, and guidance. After her Diploma in law, Olivia joined an organization that reaches out to the most vulnerable families with children with disabilities, where she served for three years. While living with her colleague during Covid Lock-downs Olivia yearned for ways she could be of service and kept engaging her friend on different crazy ideas that were running through her head, which finally led to the birth of Enhance Humanity Uganda, which is a learning center for the homeless and disadvantaged youth in Uganda.🔗 RELEVANT LINKS 🔗Enhance Humanity UgandaFacebookInstagramXIf you are interested in contacting Olivia, email her at enhancehumanityuganda256@gmail.com or reach out through their social channels.Got a story to share or question you want us to answer? Send us a message!About the podcastThe KindlED Podcast explores the science of nurturing children's potential and creating empowering learning environments.Powered by Prenda Microschools, each episode offers actionable insights to help you ignite your child's love of learning. We'll dive into evidence-based tools and techniques that kindle young learners' curiosity, motivation, and well-being. Got a burning question?We're all ears! If you have a question or topic you'd love our hosts to tackle, please send it to podcast@prenda.com. Let's dive into the conversation together!Important links:• Connect with us on social • Get our free literacy curriculum Interested in starting a microschool?Prenda provides all the tools and support you need to start and run an amazing microschool. Create a free Prenda World account to start designing your future microschool today. More info at ➡️ Prenda.com or if you're ready to get going ➡️ Start My Microschool