Getting Smart Podcast

Welcome back to the Nevada Succeeds mini-series with your hosts, Rashawn “Shawnee” Caruthers and Tom Vander Ark! This three-part series is all about leadership, innovation, and education opportunities within Nevada Succeeds — a Las Vegas-based education non-profit focused on empowering systems transformation through educator impact, policy, and design-thinking. In this second part of the three-part series with Nevada Succeeds, Shawnee Caruthers and Tom Vander Ark welcome Nevada State Superintendent, Jhone Ebert; Nevada Succeeds Executive Director, Jeanine Collins; as well as two teachers and InspirED Global fellows, Mike Lang and Jordana McCudden. Jhone Ebert is the Superintendent of Public Instruction at the Nevada Department of Education. Previously, she was the Senior Deputy Commissioner for Education Policy of the New York State Education Department and the Chief Innovation and Productivity Officer at Clark County School District. Jeanine Collins is the  Executive Director of Nevada Succeeds; an Adjunct Faculty at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas; and the founder and Principal at Reflect Forward. Mike Lang is a Technology Teacher at Clark County School District who prides himself on innovation and teaching the whole student. Jordana McCudden is a teacher, instructional coach, and project facilitator at the Clark County School District. She has worked in education for 20-plus years and strives to have a positive impact on classrooms across the state. Together, they discuss Nevada Succeeds’s InspireED Global Fellowship, why they find it so valuable as educators and leaders, how it has impacted their future plans and outlook on education, and how it has helped aid their journeys (especially during a global pandemic).   Be sure to tune in (and stay tuned for part three of the series coming next week)!   Key Takeaways: [:04] About the Nevada Succeeds mini-series. [1:23] About the second part of the three-part mini-series. [1:38] Tom welcomes special guests, Jhone Ebert, Jeanine Collins, Michael Lane, and Jordana McCudden. [2:21] Jhone Ebert gives the lay of the land in Nevada and speaks about how many students and schools there are. [3:11] The state of affairs of education in Nevada, particularly in Clark County. [6:53] In addition to the pandemic, what other priorities has Jhone Ebert set for her department as Superintendent? [11:04] Jeanine speaks about Nevada Succeeds and how she and Superintendent Ebert connected. [13:38] Mike shares how he learned about the InspireED Global Fellowship, what he did in it, and why he found it valuable. [16:15] What it has been like for Mike to teach during a pandemic, how he has helped other teachers adjust their practice this year, and important lessons he thinks we should take with us, post-pandemic. [19:04] Jordanna speaks about her role in Clark County, how she became an InspireED Global fellow, and how it has impacted the way she is thinking about her future plans. [23:22] Has helping to shape education policies statewide been a byproduct of some of Jordanna’s leadership activities? [25:01] Jhone Ebert shares her excitement and gratefulness for sharing space with incredible educators and leaders. [26:17] Jeanine speaks more about the incredible Nevada Succeeds InspirED Global Fellowship and why it is so important — especially right now. [28:20] Mike speaks about his week going forward as an educator. [29:28] Tom thanks everyone for joining the podcast.   Mentioned in This Episode: Rashawn “Shawnee” Caruthers | Getting Smart Nevada Succeeds Nevada Succeeds InspirED Global Fellowship Jeanine Collins’ LinkedIn Jhone Ebert’s LinkedIn Mike Lang’s LinkedIn Jordana McCudden’s LinkedIn Las Vegas Sands Getting Smart’s Newest Report: “20 Invention Opportunities in Learning & Development”   Get Involved: Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com. Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review, and subscribe.   Is There Somebody You’ve Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You’d Like Covered? To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include “Podcast” in the subject line. The Getting Smart team will be sure to add them to their list!  

Today, Tom is sitting down with three outstanding learners who are passionate about difference-making, innovation, and making the world a better place. All three students — Sofia Sanchez, Naila Moloo, and Aaryan Harshith — are a part of The Knowledge Society (TKS); one of Getting Smart’s favorite afterschool programs! Sofia Sanchez is passionate about synthetic biology, biotechnology, and innovation. Currently, she’s attending the Tecnológico de Monterrey high school in Mexico and focuses her studies on exponential technologies so that she can start a company that impacts the world in a positive way. Naila Moloo attends the Elmwood high school in Ontario and is passionate about sustainable energy — specifically where it intersects with nanotechnology. Naila loves to learn about anything related to emerging technology, ranging from quantum physics to space exploration. Aaryan Harshith attends the Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School in Ontario and is working to create a better, healthier world through the things he builds and the research he conducts. For the past two years, his primary focus has been on building a medical device to enhance cancer diagnosis during surgery — currently, he’s in the process of running human trials for it! Listen in as Tom speaks with these learners to hear about their motivations to change the world, the emerging opportunities they see, and how they practice continuous learning. They share about their passion projects, hopes for the future, how they would change high school if they could, their visions for difference-making in this world, and how TKS has aided them in their learning journeys. This is an episode that has left the entire Getting Smart team feeling incredibly inspired so be sure not to miss out!   Key Takeaways: [:08] About today’s episode with three incredible students. [1:38] Tom welcomes the three learners to the podcast! [2:51] Sofia shares how she became so passionate about synthetic biology. [3:31] How did Sofia discover TKS? [4:21] How did Sofia turn her interest in gene editing and the gut microbiome into an incredible project? [5:57] Was there any information on TKS about these topics or was Sofia’s learning self-directed through the internet? [6:32] Was Sofia assisted by a coach at TKS on any of the projects that she worked on? [7:21] Sofia speaks about her motivation for writing on Medium and hosting her own podcast, the 2045 Podcast. [8:51] Naila speaks about her project for a science fair that led to her winning a scholarship for TKS. [10:46] How did Naila become interested in sustainable energy, particularly superconductors? [12:40] Does Naila study these interests at her school, Elmwood, or does she explore them outside of school? [13:53] How did Aaryan find out about TKS? How long has he been in the program? And what kind of projects did he create for science fairs? What was his motivation? [15:55] How is TKS different from traditional learning at Aaryan’s high school? [17:10] What sparked Aaryan’s interest in a universal cancer vaccine? [18:39] Sofia speaks about her evolving philosophy around difference-making. [20:21] About Turnaround for Children’s Well-Being Index. [21:13] How TKS has helped Naila think about where she wants to make a difference in the world. [22:10] Aaryan shares what TKS has helped him with and inspired his vision for difference-making. [22:57] Aaryan shares his thoughts on college vs. other post-secondary options. [24:14] Sofia shares what is next for her after high school. [26:00] Naila shares about the ways in which she thinks that high school could be more valuable. [27:07] Sofia shares how she would change high school. [27:49] Aaryan speaks about the opportunities that high schools should provide their learners with. [28:22] Sofia shares her continuous learning tips for other young learners. [29:38] Naila shares how she continually learns and gives advice to other students. [30:34] Aaryan shares how he keeps learning and gives some advice to other learners as well. [32:05] Tom thanks Sofia, Naila, and Aaryan for joining the Getting Smart Podcast!   Mentioned in This Episode: The Knowledge Society (TKS) Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 305: “Navid Nathoo on What Education Can Learn From the Real World and The Knowledge Society” Sofia Sanchez’s LinkedIn Sofia Sanchez’s Website Sofia Sanchez’s Medium Profile 2045 Podcast by Sofia Sanchez Naila Moloo’s LinkedIn Naila Moloo’s Website Chronicles Of Illusions: The Blue Wild, by Naila Moloo Aaryan Harshith’s LinkedIn “LightIR: Changing the Way We See (and Treat) Cancer Forever,” by Aaryan Harshith | Medium Difference Making at the Heart of Learning: Students, Schools, and Communities Alive With Possibility, by Tom Vander Ark and Emily Liebtag Well-Being Index | Turnaround for Children   Get Involved: Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com. Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review, and subscribe.   Is There Somebody You’ve Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You’d Like Covered? To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include “Podcast” in the subject line. The Getting Smart team will be sure to add them to their list!

Join hosts Rashawn “Shawnee” Caruthers and Tom Vander Ark in this special Getting Smart Podcast mini-series about the Nevada Succeeds InspirED Global Fellowship! This will be a three-part series all about leadership, innovation, and education opportunities within Nevada Succeeds — a Las Vegas-based education non-profit focused on empowering systems transformation through educator impact, policy, and design-thinking. Dedicated to building a state-wide ecosystem, Nevada Succeeds launched InspireED Global Fellowship in July 2020 in partnership with Las Vegas Sands. The goal of the fellowship is to empower educational practitioners to investigate Nevada education challenges and use design-thinking to develop actionable plans to determine solutions. In this first part of the three-part series with Nevada Succeeds, Shawnee and Tom Vander Ark welcome Jeanine Collins, Mary Jean Gallagher, and Chip Kimball to the podcast. Jeanine Collins is the Executive Director of Nevada Succeeds; an Adjunct Faculty at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas; and the founder and Principal at Reflect Forward. Mary Jane Gallagher is the former Chief Student Achievement Officer and Assistant Deputy Minister of the Ontario Ministry of Education. She also co-authored the book, The Devil Is in the Details: System Solutions for Equity, Excellence, and Student Well-Being. Chip Kimball was the previous Superintendent for Singapore American Schools and is now making his way over to the International School of Prague. In their conversation together, Jeanine, Mary, and Chip discuss the important work that Nevada Succeeds is doing, the challenges of system leadership today, strategies for developing young leaders, insights and advice on how leaders can innovate and be champions for equity in their school system, and much more. The Getting Smart team is honored to partner with Nevada Succeeds on this type of work and is so excited for all of you to listen in to these conversations with the many key players in the initiative! Be sure to tune in (and stay tuned for part two of the series coming next week)!   Key Takeaways: [:04] About the first episode in the three-part series with Nevada Succeeds. [2:03] Tom welcomes Jeanine Collins, Mary Jean Gallagher, and Chip Kimball to the podcast. [2:56] The backstory of Nevada Succeeds, about their mission, and how they have shifted their goals in the last year with COVID-19 by doing meaningful virtual and remote work. [5:09] Jeanine speaks about the amazing and diverse lead learners that they’ve assembled at Nevada Succeeds. [6:28] How did Dr. Kimble originally connect with Nevada Succeeds? And how does he think about the challenges of educator and school leadership today? [9:11] Jeanine elaborates on the learning agenda at Singapore American and how inviting 100 of his faculty members to visit 100 of the best schools in the world impacted their success. [11:36] Mary Jane Gallagher reflects on the challenges of system leadership today. [15:55] Jeanine summarizes how she thinks about leadership development, what it should look like, and how she has incorporated these ideas at Nevada Succeeds. [18:21] Chip speaks about strategies for developing young leaders. [20:32] Mary Jane shares her insights on important experiences for developing leaders. [23:36] Chip shares his thoughts on how leaders can innovate and be champions for equity in their school system. [25:27] Mary Jane shares her insights on leading for innovation while championing for equity. [29:28] Chip shares some additional insights on what they discovered after visiting 100 of the best schools in the world. [31:12] Jeanine shares her key insights on innovation and equity. [34:19] Mary Jane shares what is currently on her ‘shortlist’ for innovation opportunities. [36:04] Chip shares what is on his shortlist for innovation. [38:13] Jeanine shares what is on her own shortlist for innovation. [39:29] Tom chimes in with an innovation of his own and thanks Jeanine, Chip, and Mary Jane for joining the Getting Smart Podcast.   Mentioned in This Episode: Rashawn “Shawnee” Caruthers | Getting Smart Nevada Succeeds Nevada Succeeds InspirED Global Fellowship Jeanine Collins’ LinkedIn Mary Jean Gallagher’s Twitter Chip Kimball’s LinkedIn Reflect Forward University of Nevada, Las Vegas The Devil Is in the Details: System Solutions for Equity, Excellence, and Student Well-Being, by Michael Fullan and Mary Jean Gallagher Ontario Ministry of Education Las Vegas Sands Singapore American School International School of Prague The Knowing-Doing Gap: How Smart Companies Turn Knowledge into Action, by Jeffrey Pfeffer and Robert I. Sutton Getting Smart’s Newest Report: “20 Invention Opportunities in Learning & Development”   Get Involved: Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com. Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review, and subscribe.   Is There Somebody You’ve Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You’d Like Covered? To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include “Podcast” in the subject line. The Getting Smart team will be sure to add them to their list!  

Today, Getting Smart team member Rashawn “Shawnee” Caruthers is sitting down with Margarita Geleske of Uncharted Learning and Tom Leonard, the Superintendent of Texas’s Eanes Independent School District. Margarita worked with the founding Uncharted Learning to create INCubatoredu, which helps students develop future-ready skills as they build real businesses. She also served as chairperson and trustee for the Barrington 220 Educational Foundation and as well as a trustee for Barrington Youth & Family Services. As a native of Chicago, Illinois, Dr. Tom Leonard served as Superintendent in the Barrington 220 School District in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago for seven years. He has been in his current role as Superintendent of Eanes ISD also for nearly seven years, having first entered the role in 2014. Together, Margarita and Tom talk about student engagement and powerful entrepreneurial experiences within the community. Listen in as Shawnee talks with these incredible guests about INCubatoredu as well as their secret to success in engaging communities and students! “We really need to change what we’re doing in our schools because the traditional curriculum that we’re using is not the world we’re living in now. And if we’re not venturing into entrepreneurial studies … we’re preparing kids for the world of the 1970s — and that’s gone.” — Tom Leonard   Key Takeaways: [:09] About today’s episode with Margarita Geleske and Tom Leonard. [1:10] Shawnee welcomes Margarita and Tom to the podcast! [1:48] Tom introduces himself and speaks about his school district, Eanes ISD. [3:05] How Tom and Margarita met. [4:28] About Uncharted Learning. [6:01] Tom shares about how Eanes ISD connected with Uncharted Learning and about INCubatoredu. [10:25] Why is community such an important focus for Tom and why it is important for Eanes ISD to partner with organizations such as Uncharted Learning? [11:50] Why the INCubatoredu program has been so impactful in particular. [12:29] How to connect your community with your school district. [14:10] How is a volunteer role in Uncharted Learning different from traditional roles? [16:27] How have their relationships with mentors and coaches changed (as well as the relationship between schools and communities) changed since the pandemic? And what have they done to combat any potential negative shifts? [19:54] About Getting Smart’s new report on what’s next in learning! [20:53] The transparent, real-world look into the lives of business owners that students were uniquely provided over the course of the pandemic. [22:09] What do business professionals bring to the student experience? [25:47] The importance of “failing forward.” [27:28] Tom shares why this work is so important to him. [29:09] Margarita shares her “why.” [31:56] How do people volunteer for the kinds of roles that Uncharted Learning offers? [33:24] Tom shares some suggestions on what Superintendents and school districts can do to build or rebuild engagement with their communities. [36:26] Tom and Margarita share some closing thoughts about community. [39:51] Shawnee thanks Tom and Margarita for joining the Getting Smart Podcast!   Mentioned in This Episode: Rashawn “Shawnee” Caruthers | Getting Smart Margarita Geleske’s LinkedIn Uncharted Learning INCubatoredu | Uncharted Learning Tom Leonard’s LinkedIn Eanes Independent School District (Eanes ISD) Barrington 220 Educational Foundation Barrington Youth & Family Services Barrington 220 School District Getting Smart’s Newest Report: “20 Invention Opportunities in Learning & Development” Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 216: “Don Wettrick on Teaching Entrepreneurship”   Get Involved: Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com. Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review, and subscribe.   Is There Somebody You’ve Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You’d Like Covered? To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include “Podcast” in the subject line. The Getting Smart team will be sure to add them to their list!

Today, Getting Smart team member, Rebecca Midles, is virtually sitting down with Kelley Munger and Megan Marcus of FuelEd. Kelley and Megan are both professional development consultants that specialize in social-emotional learning and relationship building. Megan is the founder of FuelEd. She started her career in research and helped lead the research efforts for the book, The Social Neuroscience of Education: Optimizing Attachment and Learning in the Classroom, by Louis Cozolino. Kelley completed her Ph.D. in Early Intervention and Special Education at the University of Oregon and is a researcher and licensed therapist working in areas of trauma, adult attachment, special education, and human development. Join in the conversation as they talk about the intersections of whole-child and SEL, how to best develop SEL within teachers and leaders, and where educators can get started in their SEL journeys. Key Takeaways: [:09] About today’s episode with Kelley Munger and Megan Marcus of FuelEd. [:55] Rebecca welcomes Kelley and Megan to the Getting Smart Podcast. [1:04] How Kelley and Megan first met and came together with FuelEd. [2:10] The differences (and similarities) between social-emotional learning, trauma-informed practices, and whole-child and whole-person work. [4:52] How and why they incorporate all three lenses (of SEL, trauma-informed practices, and whole-person work) at FuelEd. [5:04] Kelley describes what “attachment stories” are. [7:56] The importance of identity and the differences in SEL practices for educators vs. students. [16:10] About Getting Smart’s new report on what’s next in learning! [16:46] Dos and Don’ts for teaching SEL. [23:11] Key takeaways and advice for scaling, and more on the inception of FuelEd. [26:36] How anti-racist teaching is being supported through SEL and the work that Kelley and Megan are doing at FuelEd. [31:20] Kelley and Megan share some ideas on addressing large-scale trauma/collective stories to help educators and students. [34:47] Rebecca thanks Kelley and Megan for joining the podcast. [36:27] Where to learn more about FuelEd and the work that Kelley and Megan are doing in this world!   Mentioned in This Episode: Rebecca Midles | Getting Smart FuelEd @FuelEdSchools on Twitter Megan Marcus Kelley Munger The Social Neuroscience of Education: Optimizing Attachment and Learning in the Classroom, by Louis Cozolino Getting Smart’s Newest Report: “20 Invention Opportunities in Learning & Development” Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 308 — “Phoenix Charter Academy on The Primary Person Advisory Model”   Get Involved: Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com. Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review, and subscribe.   Is There Somebody You’ve Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You’d Like Covered? To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include “Podcast” in the subject line. The Getting Smart team will be sure to add them to their list!  

Today Tom is sitting down virtually to speak with Jeremy Keeshin, about his new book, Read Write Code: A Friendly Introduction to the World of Coding and Why It’s the New Literacy. Jeremy has been an innovator from an early age and co-founded CodeHS back in 2012 when he was just graduating from Stanford University with a BS in Computer Science. CodeHS is an online coding education platform that helps schools teach computer science to high school students. Jeremy is an advocate for continuous learning, focusing on emerging technologies, and providing free access to education for all high schoolers. In this episode, Jeremy speaks about his book, Read Write Code, the many benefits of learning to code, why it might be the new literacy, and whether or not students should still be thinking about going to college. He also speaks about the many opportunities that learning coding provides, what CodeHS offers educators and schools, how the rise of A.I. and machine learning is changing what should be taught to students in high school, and advice for students interested in pursuing a career in computer science.   Key Takeaways: [:00] About Project Unicorn. [:33] About today’s episode with Jeremy Keeshin [1:13] Tom welcomes Jeremy to the podcast! [2:02] When did Jeremy originally get hooked on coding? [3:10] Did Jeremy always know that he wanted to focus on computer science? [3:47] Jeremy speaks a bit about his experience studying Computer Science at Stanford University. [5:18] How, why, and when Jeremy started his company, CodeHS. [5:49] Jeremy explains what CodeHS is. [6:51] About CodeHS’s business model. [7:18] What teachers and administrators get in the premium offering that CodeHS offers. [7:49] Why they offer free programming through CodeHS. [9:07] Why what CodeHS offers is so invaluable to so many teachers and schools. [10:15] For students with a deep interest in computer science, what courses should they take in high school? [12:46] What programming languages would Jeremy recommend students focus on? [14:14] Is coding the new literacy or is it just a vocational skill? [17:32] What coding looks like at the elementary level and the best long-term way of teaching programming in a sustainable way for students. [18:55] How the rise of A.I. and machine learning in every sector of the economy has changed what we should teach students in high school. [21:57] Computer science is moving really quickly. How can we give students advice about what careers might be attractive to them and what they should be learning in high school? And how can we help teachers and counselors stay up-to-date on this knowledge? [24:07] Should students go to college for coding with so many great resources online? [26:17] Tom plugs Jeremy’s fantastic book, Read Write Code: A Friendly Introduction to the World of Coding and Why It’s the New Literacy. [26:39] Who should read Jeremy’s book? [26:56] Why secondary teachers would really benefit from reading Jeremy’s book. [27:33] With things moving so fast, how does Jeremy keep up and continually learn? [28:36] Tom thanks Jeremy for joining the podcast!   Mentioned in This Episode: Project Unicorn Jeremy Keeshin Jeremy Keeshin’s Twitter CodeHS Read Write Code: A Friendly Introduction to the World of Coding and Why It’s the New Literacy, by Jeremy Keeshin JavaScript Python Coding in the Wild Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 138: “AI4All Extends the Power of Artificial Intelligence to High School Girls”   Get Involved: Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com. Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review, and subscribe.   Is There Somebody You’ve Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You’d Like Covered? To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include “Podcast” in the subject line. The Getting Smart team will be sure to add them to their list!  

Today Tom is speaking with Dr. Ron Crutcher, President and Professor of Music at the University of Richmond. He’s also the author of the new book, I Had No Idea You Were Black: Navigating Race on the Road to Leadership. Dr. Crutcher was a founding co-chair of Liberal Education and America’s Promise (LEAP) and a former member of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. His new book, I Had No Idea You Were Black, outlines his success as a Black intellectual navigating highly-charged social issues, his principles for leading and being, his personal and professional journey, his struggles as both an artist and an educator to overcome the blindness and cruelty of racism, and the ways in which we must build colleges and universities as places where learning starts with listening and where courage and character matter. Listen in as Tom and Dr. Crutcher discuss the influence of music, strong leadership, the role of university and college, lessons on life and leadership, and much more.   Key Takeaways: [:10] About today’s episode with Ronald A. Crutcher. [:44] Tom welcomes Ronald A. Crutcher to the podcast and congratulates him on his new book! [:56] How did the cello first enter Dr. Crutcher’s life? [4:28] How an incredibly influential teacher put Dr. Crutcher on a completely different life trajectory. [8:22] How this influential teacher (and the experiences that followed) impacted Dr. Crutcher’s leadership style. [11:44] Dr. Crutcher shares additional insights from his musical and performing arts background that he brings to his work today as an educational leader and President and Professor of Music at the University of Richmond. [14:47] Ron shares the story that resulted in the title of his book, I Had No Idea You Were Black: Navigating Race on the Road to Leadership. [17:20] Ron speaks more on his experience of being one of the few African-Americans involved in symphonies and orchestras and the lessons he learned. [19:05] What began Ron’s dream of leading a university. [21:25] About Getting Smart’s new report on what’s next in learning! [23:05] Important characteristics and values for leaders and those in a role such as a college or a university President. [27:20] How Ron is able to stand by these values in his own role. [28:04] Ron speaks on the importance of being in a diverse community and what that should look like in a college or university. [31:14] Three key lessons from Ron’s book on acknowledging race, controversies, and slowing down to have these important conversations around diversity. [34:42] Ron elaborates what he sees the purpose of higher education as and what higher ed can do to create a shared reality around diversity and equity. [38:20] Ron’s agenda for improving diversity and equity at the University of Richmond. [42:28] Tom thanks Ron for joining the podcast and sharing his invaluable insights!   Mentioned in This Episode: Ronald A. Crutcher’s LinkedIn I Had No Idea You Were Black: Navigating Race on the Road to Leadership, by Ronald A. Crutcher Getting Smart’s Newest Report: “20 Invention Opportunities in Learning & Development” Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About Colleges, by Loren Pope and Hilary Masell Oswald Getting Smart Podcast Ep: “Joe Truss on Dismantling White Supremacy Culture in Schools”   Get Involved: Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com. Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review, and subscribe.   Is There Somebody You’ve Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You’d Like Covered? To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include “Podcast” in the subject line. The Getting Smart team will be sure to add them to their list!  

On this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Tom Vander Ark is speaking with Summer Stephens and Nate Waite about district change in the Churchill County School District. Summer Stephens is a longtime educator and superintendent that has successfully implemented systems of blended and online learning, voice and choice, self-paced learning, project-based learning, and design thinking. A specific focus of her work includes bridging the gap between courses traditionally identified as core and CTE, and, working to ensure that systems have opportunities and pathways for all students to engage in future-ready work. Nate Waite has a background in both the classroom and in edtech and is now the Innovation and Professional Learning Facilitator for the region. The bulk of his time is spent right at Churchill, SD, where has been for the last 24 years. Listen in as Summer and Nate talk with Tom about district change, professional learning models, and how they each continue their own learning!   Key Takeaways: [:11] About today’s episode with Summer Stephens and Nate Waite of Churchill County School District. [:58] Tom welcomes Summer and Nate to the Getting Smart Podcast! [1:12] Where the Churchill County Public School is. [2:18] Has Nate been directly working with Summer in the last two years she has been working at Churchill County? [2:36] What was the state of learning when Summer first arrived at Churchill? [4:25] Was the “Profile of a Learner” in place when Summer joined the team or did she develop it? [5:56] About the different Profiles of a Learner: Critical Thinker, Inspired Innovator, Collaborative Learner, Effective Communicator, Global Citizen, and Lifelong Learner. [8:05] Nate provides some background on why they developed the Global Citizen and Inspired Innovator profiles and what it means to be those learners. [11:21] Summer elaborates on their change strategy at Churchill. [13:47] The four elements of Churchill’s instructional model. [18:06] A powerful new tool that every teacher should be using with their learners: the Well-Being Index by Turnaround for Children. [19:01] What professional learning looks like in Churchill. [21:10] Was 2020 the toughest year of Summer’s career? [23:30] Nate shares about the challenges (and the silver lining) that the staff of Churchill has experienced in the last 12 months. [25:50] What is going to be better and different in Churchill 18 months from now? What capabilities and strategies have they implemented in the last 12 months that they will continue to take forward? [28:43] How Nate has continued his own learning. [30:42] How Summer has continued her own learning. [32:28] Tom Vander Ark thanks Summer Stephens and Nate Waite for joining the podcast!   Mentioned in This Episode: Summer Stephens’ LinkedIn Nate Waite’s LinkedIn Churchill County Public School Naval Air Station Fallon Well-Being Index | Turnaround for Children Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 232: “Virginia Superintendent James Lane on Unleashing Innovation”   Get Involved: Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com. Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review, and subscribe. Is There Somebody You’ve Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You’d Like Covered? To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include “Podcast” in the subject line. The Getting Smart team will be sure to add them to their list!

In this episode, Getting Smart team member, Rashawn Caruthers, talks with two educators from Phoenix Charter Academy about their Primary Person Model. This model is a one-on-one advisory system that puts mental health and wellness at the forefront of student progress, which now — more than ever — is so important. Phoenix Charter Academy is a member of the Strategy Lab cohort, which is part of the Always Ready for Learning Network; a project from The Learning Accelerator. As storytelling partners on the project, Getting Smart is thrilled to share this vital work that helps districts work together to accelerate the development of a more resilient and equitable education future. Rashawn’s two guests today are Scarlet Im and Marisa Balleani of Phoenix Charter Academy. Scarlet is a Mathematics teacher and Marisa is an Academic Support Teacher and IEP/504 Case Manager. These two educators demonstrate care and a willingness to learn and iterate for the benefit of their learners. In their conversation, Scarlet and Marisa share about the Primary Person Model from its successes to its challenges and the future of the practice. At the end of the episode, Scarlet shares a special one-on-one conversation with her and a scholar to demonstrate what the PPM model looks like on a daily basis.   Key Takeaways: [:11] About today’s episode with Scarlet Im and Marisa Balleani of Phoenix Charter Academy. [1:18] Rashawn Caruthers welcomes Scarlet and Marisa to the podcast. [1:31] Scarlet shares her background and gives an introduction to the Phoenix Charter Academy. [2:56] Marisa speaks about her role at Phoenix Charter Academy. [3:42] About the Primary Person Model and how it originally began. [5:36] How Marisa has witnessed the Primary Person Model create a shift for students. [7:09] Key findings that Scarlet is seeing from these one-on-one meetings with students and educators. [9:19] Marisa shares her personal experience with her PPM caseload and the benefits she is seeing amongst students. [10:06] How are they collecting data from the PPM program to continue to build the program post-COVID-19 and in different reflective practices? [11:35] Scarlet shares how they have used professional development to support the PPM work within their school. [14:21] Marisa shares how they use the data they collect to shift their teaching practices and their level of support for one another. [15:55] Is the PPM model scalable? Can other schools utilize it? [19:38] What would students say about the PPM model? What do they like most about it? [21:44] A special check-in between Scarlet and one of her scholars where they go over his weekly schedule, upcoming goals, and more! [32:46] Rashawn thanks Scarlet and Marisa for joining the podcast!   Mentioned in This Episode: Phoenix Charter Academy Strategy Lab Always Ready for Learning Network The Learning Accelerator Scarlet Im Marisa Balleani Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 217: “How Educators Can Positively Impact a Child’s Cognitive Development with Dr. Pamela Cantor”   Get Involved: Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com. Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review, and subscribe.   Is There Somebody You’ve Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You’d Like Covered? To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include “Podcast” in the subject line. The Getting Smart team will be sure to add them to their list!  

Joining Tom today is Thomas Hatch, a professor at the Teachers College Columbia University and the Director of the National Center for Restructuring Education, Schools, and Teaching (NCREST). Thomas’s research includes studies of school improvement, district, and national levels. His latest book, The Education We Need for a Future We Can’t Predict, focuses on efforts to create more powerful learning experiences both inside and outside schools in developed and developing contexts. In Thomas and Tom’s conversation, they discuss the future of powerful learning, micro-innovations, and change. Thomas takes listeners through his book, The Education We Need for a Future We Can’t Predict, and shares the key components that lead to school and systems change. This is a fascinating discussion so don’t miss out! Key Takeaways: [:10] About today’s episode with Thomas Hatch. [:42] Tom Vander Ark welcomes Thomas Hatch to the podcast. [:51] Thomas shares the origin story of NCREST as well as its mission. [3:01] Tom shares his appreciation for Thomas’s early work on the concept of coherence. [3:39] Thomas takes us to the early beginnings of his work around coherence and explains what it is and why it is important. [7:26] Tom congratulates Thomas on his new book, The Education We Need for a Future We Can’t Predict, and shares what he loves about it. [7:54] Thomas tells about each of the sections in his book, starting with part 1: “Why Should Schools Change?” He headlines the case for change and provides some suggestions on how to create agreements around them. [11:40] Tom shares the key insights he appreciated in the first section. [12:27] The second section of the book covers barriers to change. Thomas lists some of the barriers and what we can do to make progress in overcoming them. [15:39] In section three of Thomas’s book, he writes about how schools can improve. In particular, he focuses on high-leverage problems. Thomas explains what these are, why they’re critical, and shares some examples. [17:33] The next section of Thomas’s book is on how education can change where he introduces the concept of micro-innovations. Thomas explains what these are and what they can do to move a system agenda forward. [20:18] Tom shares how 4.0 Schools have been teaching this idea of micro-innovations. [21:07] Chapter 5 of Thomas’ book is on systems change. Thomas speaks about two critical elements of systems change that are covered in this chapter: capacity building and collective responsibility. [25:28] Would Thomas agree that it takes a decade-long push on all three of these primary levers to really promote systems change? [27:44] Thomas reflects on his career, professional learning, and how he has seen education change over the years. [30:29] Would Thomas say that writing is part of his learning process? [32:00] What’s next for Thomas? [34:10] Tom thanks Thomas for joining the Getting Smart Podcast!   Mentioned in This Episode: Thomas Hatch’s Website The Education We Need for a Future We Can’t Predict, by Thomas Hatch National Center for Restructuring Education, Schools, and Teaching (NCREST) Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Project Zero ATLAS Communities | Project Zero The New American Schools Development Corporation (JSTOR) Success For All Foundation Linda Darling-Hammond Coalition of Essential Schools Theodore R. Sizer 4.0 Schools Albemarle County Public Schools Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 256: “Jenny Pieratt on Powerful PBL”   Get Involved: Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com. Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review, and subscribe.   Is There Somebody You’ve Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You’d Like Covered? To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include “Podcast” in the subject line. The Getting Smart team will be sure to add them to their list!