Dr. Shane Doyle, an Indigenous educator, discusses the importance of teaching indigenous history, storytelling in education, integrating indigenous wisdom in land management, benefits of outdoor activities, and the need for a curriculum with Native American perspectives.

On this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, we’re joined by two members of the Communities Foundation of Texas team: Chris Coxon, Managing Director of Programs; and Ryan Franklin, Senior Director, Policy & Advocacy. Educate Texas has been in a leadership role in college and career readiness school models for over two decades, and has been the lead intermediary supporting the successful growth of both the Early College High School and P-TECH school models. Outline: Overview of Educate Texas and Its Initiatives Challenges and Strategies in Policy Implementation Funding, Policy, and Sustainability Advice and Conclusion Links: View Full Transcript Accelerate ED Texas Accelerate ED Texas - Bexar County Educate Texas Communities Foundation of Texas Subscribe to our newsletter!

This episode of the Getting Smart Podcast is sponsored by Mrs. Wordsmith, learn more at mrswordsmith.com and save 15% on your order by entering discount code GETTINGSMART15 at checkout, (edited)  On this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Shawnee Caruthers is joined by Dr. Gholnecsar Muhammad. You might know her as Gholdy. Dr. Muhammad is an associate professor of curriculum and instruction at the University of Illinois Chicago. She is the author of the essential 2020 book “Cultivating Genius: An Equity Framework for Culturally and Historically Responsive Literacy,” and the 2023 book, “Unearthing Joy: A Guide to Culturally and Historically Responsive Curriculum and Instruction.” Outline Introduction to Joy in Education The Power of Poetry and Freedom Implementing Joy in the Curriculum Links Detailed Shownotes & Transcription Hill Pedagogies Cultivating Genius Interview Cultivating Genius Unearthing Joy Gholdy Muhammad Subscribe to our newsletter!    

Melissa Byrne, Assistant Superintendent at Barrington Community 220 in Illinois, discusses the Learner Profile, Pathways, and Gem program for students in the Barrington district. They focus on integrating academic and personal success skills, enhancing literacy with tools like Mrs. Wordsmith, and empowering students through personalized interdisciplinary projects at Barrington High School.

On this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Mason Pashia is joined by Jennifer Brandsberg-Engelmann to discuss a new approach to teaching economics  and why it is critical to teach economics to K-12 students as a way of understanding the world. Links Regenerative Economics Course Link to the course Recent Webinar on the Generative Economics Curriculum Doughnut Economics Kate Raworth GCSE Requirements Revised GCSE Syllabus Mason’s Biomimicry Blog  

Join Carl Gombrich, Dean at the London Interdisciplinary School and an expert in educational innovation, as he shares his journey from UCL to pioneering interdisciplinary education. He discusses how traditional educational structures can limit real-world problem-solving. Gombrich explores the importance of practical learning experiences, such as internships, and highlights the transformative power of the performing arts in education. He also examines the role of AI and immersive technologies in enhancing interdisciplinary learning, preparing students for the future.

We hope you’ve attended our town halls, but are you looking for even more ways to learn in community? Check out one of the two forthcoming webinars from the Aurora Institute. Learn more here.  This Getting Smart Town Hall focused on pathways in Health Sciences and focus on the following elements of effective pathways:  sector job prospects and entrepreneurial opportunities  career exploration resources  high school pathway examples work-based learning and credentialing opportunities  postsecondary pathway examples. The event highlighted the critical role of education leaders, intermediaries, and thought partners in shaping the future of the healthcare industry and empowering the next generation of healthcare professionals. We were joined by Dr. Kyle Hartung from JFF, then Kate Kreamer from Advance CTE, followed by Dr. Christine Rodriguez from NAF, and we closed with Jason Rausch from Project Lead the Way. For the full shownotes, the recording, the slide deck and links mentioned in the chat, click here. To view our new Health Science publication, click here.

This episode of the Getting Smart Podcast is sponsored by Mrs. Wordsmith, learn more at mrswordsmith.com On this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Tom Vander Ark is joined by Dr. Shari Camhi, Superintendent of the Baldwin School District in Long Island. Together, they discuss the need for enhanced media literacy in an age where information credibility is increasingly questioned. Additionally, Dr. Camhi shares insights from her decade-long tenure in Baldwin, highlighting how her personal experiences as a parent and educator have shaped her approach to creating diverse, enriching educational experiences. She stresses the importance of adapting education to ensure each student's unique needs are met, rather than conforming to traditional, one-size-fits-all models. She argues that media literacy is essential for developing critical thinking skills, enabling students to discern between true and false information. The Baldwin School District's strategy, known as Baldwin 2035, focuses on fostering civic engagement and community connections across all grade levels. Links Dr. Shari Camhi Baldwin School District Baldwin 2035  

On this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Shawnee Caruthers is joined by two of the leaders leaning into this space, Juan Jose Gonzalez, Managing Director of Pathways & Operations at Education Systems Center at Northern Illinois University (EdSystems) and Gina Schuyler, Department Chair of Career and Technical Education at Grayslake Central High School, a partner of EdSystems. EdSystems is a part of the Accelerate ED initiative, supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Accelerate ED is built on the idea that high schools can provide early access to quality higher education in ways that incorporate work-connected learning and have long-term benefits for students. This initiative helps state- and region-based groups plan and build accelerated pathways between K-12 education, postsecondary education, and careers. Links: EdSystems AccelerateED Edsystems Juan Jose Gonzalez Bio Page Grayslake High School Gina Schuyler  

This episode of the Getting Smart Podcast is part of a new short monthly series where Mason Pashia is joined by Dr. Jason Cummins, a previous guest and a friend of the podcast, to speak with indigenous leaders and academics to discuss how indigenous ways of knowing and leading can, and should, shape the education system.   On this podcast episode, they are joined by Lona Running Wolf from the Piikani Nation to discuss her extensive work in educational reform and cultural preservation. Lona shares insights from her journey, highlighting her current role as the project administrator for Blackfeet ECO Knowledge, a nonprofit organization aimed at reversing the effects of historical trauma on Native communities through cultural, language, and environmental initiatives. Together they discuss the systemic challenges faced by Native students, the impact of policies such as the boarding school era, and the importance of integrating cultural knowledge into educational frameworks to better serve diverse learner needs. Lona also discusses the profound influence of Blackfoot culture on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, emphasizing a community-centric approach to education and well-being.