Getting Smart Podcast

Today, the Getting Smart team is bringing you an episode focused on project-based learning featuring special guest, Jenny Pieratt. Jenny is the founder and President of CraftED Curriculum, an incredible PBL resource that offers educators and administrators a wide range of training and tools to help them achieve the PBL goals they have set for their organizations. Jenny is also the author of the Keeping It Real With PBL series — a fantastic resource on PBL!   In this episode, Kelly Niccolls from the Getting Smart team is sitting down with Jenny to discuss all things project-based learning, PBL best practices, lessons learned around PBL, and generally how to support every learner and every educator in PBL! Tune in to learn more about how you can get started on your project-based learning journey or further your learning!   Key Takeaways: [:10] About today’s episode. [:30] A note about this episode regarding the coronavirus pandemic. [:56] Kelly introduces and welcomes Jenny Pieratt to the podcast! [1:40] Kelly and Jenny reflect on how PBL has changed over the years. [2:24] Jenny shares why she decided to dedicate her life to PBL. [5:13] Is PBL difficult? [5:55] Jenny highlights some of the important key considerations that those in a leadership position that are looking to start or expand their project-based learning should be considering. [9:06] When Jenny works with schools, is there a specific framework that she uses that helps her collaborate with the leadership and teacher team when they’re new to the whole process? [11:02] Jenny shares some of the things that are commonly misunderstood or commonly taken for granted when people begin their PBL journey. [12:20] How does high-quality professional development for PBL school and district communities look different from more traditional professional development? And what are some of the essential elements or structures that need to be in place for it to be good for a PBL setting? [13:57] What are some of the mindsets and beliefs that teams need to have to be able to really engage in this type of professional development on an ongoing basis? What are some of the key identifiers for what they need to believe and think in order to be successful with this type of professional learning experience? [15:50] Jessica speaks about the Getting Through resource! [16:29] Jenny shares some of the perceived barriers that teachers have about kids and how they learn and then explains how she coaches teams through said perceived barriers and obstacles. [18:12] PBL implementation: is there a best way to do it? [20:08] How does time operate non-traditionally in PBL? What’s the investment of time that school communities implementing PBL need to be aware of in terms of professional development and student outcomes? [23:25] Jenny speaks about the books she has written and how she hopes they can provide as a resource for those in the field of PBL. [28:15] Jenny highlights some of the common “pain and gains” she sees in her work with PBL. [30:08] Jenny recommends the first three steps she thinks any district leader, teacher, staff, or researcher should take in beginning their journey into PBL. [33:17] Kelly thanks Jenny for joining the podcast!   Mentioned in This Episode: GettingSmart.com/GettingThrough Jenny Pieratt CraftED Curriculum Jenny’s Book Page on Amazon High Tech High @PBLChat on Twitter #PBLChat on Twitter New Tech Network   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, the Getting Smart team is speaking with Byron Sanders about the opportunity gap in Dallas, Texas.   Byron grew up in Dallas, observing differences in opportunity. He remembers his mother scrambling to find enriching activities for him. Now, he’s doing the same thing for the youth of Dallas County on a much larger scale! As the CEO of the 30-year-old nonprofit, Big Thought, Byron and his team serve 150,000 students at more than 400 locations with creative enrichment. Their work is about closing the opportunity gap and building agency, hope, and creativity.   Since the coronavirus pandemic, Byron and his team have been proactively developing ways to continue engaging youth, families, and the broader community — including distancing, auditory, and tactical learning solutions.   In this episode, Byron speaks about his path to becoming the CEO of Big Thought, how they are working towards closing the opportunity gap through their incredible work in Dallas County, and about the many programs that are helping learners from the elementary level all the way through high school!   Key Takeaways: [:11] About today’s episode with Byron Sanders. [:50] Jessica gives a quick announcement in regards to the coronavirus pandemic. [1:35] Tom welcomes Byron Sanders to the podcast. [2:01] Byron speaks about what it was like to grow up and go to school in Dallas. [6:05] Byron speaks about how his mother inspired his organization, Big Thought. [9:54] Byron shares what he learned about building a business as a young man. [13:00] How to facilitate the innate capacity for growth that a student has. Byron also describes why they prefer that term opportunity gap as opposed to achievement gap. [16:00] Jessica chimes in to let listeners know about the Getting Through microsite by Getting Smart. [16:40] What led Byron to leading the nonprofit organization, Big Thought? [21:52] What does Big Thought do? [25:33] Byron describes their programs at Big Thought. [29:11] Byron describes DaVerse, a program at Big Thought that was created in partnership with Journeyman Ink. [31:21] Tom and Byron describe Deep Ellum in Dallas, Texas. [32:02] Byron describes what Dallas City of Learning is and what their goal is. [35:03] Byron speaks about their Learning Partners program. [36:20] Byron describes Striving Minds, their award-winning afterschool program. [37:52] Is Byron’s work largely in Dallas County these days? [39:19] Tom and Byron give some plugs for all the other good things happening right now in Dallas County! [42:45] What else does Byron hope to come to fruition in Dallas County? [47:40] Tom thanks Byron for all the work that he does and for joining the Getting Smart podcast!   Mentioned in This Episode: GettingSmart.com/GettingThrough Big Thought Byron Sanders Destination Imagination Journeyman Ink Dallas City of Learning Dallas County Promise   To Learn More About the Great Work Being Done in Dallas County, Listen to: Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 218: “Michael Hinojosa on Making Dallas Schools Work”   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, Tom Vander Ark is speaking with Daniel Gohl. Dan is the Chief Academic Officer at Broward County Public Schools. The district serves the greater Fort Lauderdale area of South Florida and has nearly 270,000 students on 241 campuses. It’s the sixth-largest district in the country. Dan has been a learning leader in Austin, Texas; Washington, D.C.; and Houston, Texas. In his fifth year in Broward, as part of Superintendent Robert Runcie’s team, Dan oversaw the development of a great system of schools with well-developed personalized learning, the biggest speech and debate program, and the biggest computer science program in the country.   In this interview, Dan speaks about their crisis response program, Learning Never Closes. He reflects on leading through crises, including hurricanes and mass shootings, and talks about why this pandemic is far more challenging.   The Getting Smart team thinks that you’ll find Dan to be one of America’s most thoughtful education leaders — just as they do!   Key Takeaways: [:10] About today’s episode. [1:05] Tom welcomes Dan Gohl to the podcast! [1:15] Dan tells the story of opening the McKinley Technology High School in Washington, D.C. [2:35] Dan speaks about his background in science and involvement with the Science Academy of Austin (that led to an opportunity that took him to D.C.). [4:25] Why did Dan end up in Austin in the fall of 1986? And what kept him there? [7:27] Dan speaks about his stint in Zimbabwe. [8:05] Dan shares more about his career after coming back to the States in 1990. [8:52] Dan speaks about his time in Newark in 2010 where he was leading the change effort. [11:28] Tom and Dan talk about when they connected again when Dan was CAO during the PowerUp Initiative in 2013 — America’s biggest move to 1:1 and blended learning. [12:21] Dan shares what he ended up doing after leaving Newark. [14:37] Now five years in as CAO at Broward County, Dan recaps some of the advances he has made thus far and what he’s proud of. [21:45] Jessica chimes in to share an important resource: the Getting Through microsite! [22:25] What happened when the governor closed the schools? What has Broward County Public Schools done to move their learning to digital? [27:37] What advice has Dan given teachers about learning expectations, workloads, and the challenges they may face going forward? What have they employed to aid teachers to continue to teach their students? [31:13] What does Dan mean by a ‘rhizomatic approach?’ [33:56] Dan takes time to remember those who were lost from tragedies in the past. He also shares how this crisis is different from past crises. [39:06] Dan shares some of the lessons in leadership he has learned due to this crisis. [43:03] Tom thanks Dan for joining the Getting Smart podcast!   Mentioned in This Episode: GettingSmart.com/GettingThrough Daniel Gohl’s LinkedIn Broward County Public Schools “How Houston Schools Are Making it a Great Global City,” by Tom Vander Ark (A Getting Smart article covering the PowerUp Initiative launched by Terry Grier) Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 234: “Terry Grier on Developing More Than 80 System Leaders” Code.org   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 the Getting Smart team today as they explore community development with community expert, Lia McIntosh!   Lia McIntosh is a marketer, organizer, pastor, and most recently, a grant-maker. She leads the Education Fellows Program at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation in Kansas City, Missouri. The program’s goal is cultivating community leaders who are advocates for education. It’s a nine-month opportunity for 37 civic and faith leaders to learn and travel together.   In the last year, the Getting Smart team has had the opportunity to plan and facilitate several site visits with Ed Fellows and Lia. During this, they visited a remarkable corporation where they learned all about the ‘Lawndale miracle’ — the transformation of a low-income community in West Chicago. It’s a great story of patient and persistent community development sparked by Wayne ‘Coach’ Gordon and the Lawndale Christian Development Corporation (LCDC). When Tom and Lia visited Coach in Lawndale they were fortunate enough to see what he’s building with the Christian Community Development Association (CCDA). And in today’s podcast, you’ll hear snippets from Coach himself from that visit!   Be sure to tune in to hear all of Lia and Coach’s invaluable insights on community development!   Key Takeaways: [:10] About today’s episode! [1:14] Tom welcomes Lia McIntosh to the podcast. [1:21] Did Lia grow up in Missouri? [1:29] Why did Lia decide to study business? [2:04] Did Lia grow up Methodist? [2:17] How did Lia get an internship at Procter & Gamble? [3:33] Lia shares how her internship led to a job opportunity after college. [3:47] Did Lia enjoy her time at P&G? What did the experience teach her? [4:28] Why did Lia choose to go to a seminary? [6:06] Did Lia find that this experience was well-aligned with her personal values? [7:24] Lia shares her perspective on what it is like to lead a church. [9:08] Wayne ‘Coach’ Gordon speaks about CCDA and community development. [9:53] Tom and Lia continue their discussion. [10:20] Would Lia agree with the idea that you’re always “on” as a community leader? [11:18] After a decade of serving several congregations, Lia decided to join the Kauffman Foundation. What originally drew her to the foundation? [13:02] Does Lia feel that all of her prior experience has really prepared her for her role at Kauffman? And how would she describe the work that they do at Kauffman? [14:29] Lia explains what the Education Fellows Program at the Kauffman Foundation is all about! [16:49] How many Ed Fellows are there this year? And when does the program start and wrap up? [17:15] Lia details what the Ed Fellows Program looks like and what they’re advocating for. [18:22] Is the fellowship model scalable? [18:55] Tom speaks about the schools he, Lia, and a group of Ed Fellows have visited together. [20:01] Lia gives an overview of what she saw at Lawndale. [21:21] Jessica shares an important resource: Getting Through on GettingSmart.com. [22:03] Tom provides some background about Lawndale and Lia gives her reflections. [23:08] Lia gives her thoughts on one of the themes Coach talked about during their trip: loving in a holistic way. [24:39] Tom speaks about Lawndale’s pastors’ commitment to community. [25:34] Lia talks about another important theme in Lawndale’s community: empowerment. [27:27] The role ownership played in Lawndale’s success. [28:18] Coach shares his story of moving to Lawndale in 1975 and why he also believes in the importance of committing to place. [29:56] Tom and Lia continue their discussion on the themes of ownership, empowerment, and commitment to place at Lawndale. [31:15] Coach provides his thoughts on community. [31:49] Tom and Lia discuss the Christian Community Development Association (CCDA) Conference and why it is of importance to the Kauffman Foundation. [34:02] Would Lia say that they are listening to community and being responsive to the needs of community in the Education Fellowship’s approach? [35:20] Lia gives advice to other foundations that are trying to approach community development in a thoughtful way. [36:44] Lia gives her closing thoughts on the importance of community during times of crisis. [39:12] Tom thanks Lia for her community-building work and for joining the Getting Smart podcast! [39:52] Jessica closes out the podcast by thanking Lia once again and thanking listeners for tuning in.   Mentioned in This Episode: GettingSmart.com/GettingThrough Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation The Kauffman Fellows Program Lia McIntosh Lawndale Christian Development Corporation Christian Community Development Association (CCDA) Wayne ‘Coach’ Gordon INROADS LEAP Innovations 1871 Cristo Rey Network William Julius Wilson   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!

This week, Getting Smart is bringing you another bonus episode as a part of their Getting Through series. Getting Smart launched this series to support educators, leaders, and families during this uncertain time and extended school closures. They have curated and created resources and inspiration around new learning environments, and are addressing equity and access from a new lens.   Today, the team is bringing you a recent conversation with Kelly Nickels, the Learning Design Manager at Getting Smart. She is joined by Kristi Dominguez and Ellen Dorr — two key district leaders from Washington State. Kristi is the Executive Director of Teaching and Learning at Bellingham Public Schools and Ellen is the Chief Technology Officer at Renton School District.   Listen in to learn more about leading central systems through COVID-19 with optimism, hope, and love. Kristi and Ellen share how central office leadership can really coalesce its talents, insight, and wisdom to do what’s best for kids in the midst of unprecedented challenges and how to lead in a time of crisis.   Key Takeaways: [:11] About today’s episode. [:55] Kelly introduces herself and welcomes on guests, Kristi and Ellen! [1:53] In the midst of a pandemic, what really matters right now? [4:55] In Kristi’s and Ellen’s central leadership roles, have they talked about the impact around test scores, college readiness, and grade level proficiency amid the coronavirus pandemic? [7:08] How have Kristi and Ellen seen their team members care for each other during this crisis? [10:44] What are some ways that Kristi and Ellen are seeing different kinds of connectivity in the community happening? And what are some of the gaps and needs they are currently working on addressing? Additionally, what are some partnerships and collaborations that they would like to see continue, even after the crisis is over? [16:47] How are their teams continuing to nurture students’ connection to learning amid a crisis where schools are shut down? And how are they working with and communicating with the teachers and parents? [22:34] Jessica shares an important resource with listeners: GettingSmart.com/GettingThrough. [23:15] Kelly, Kristi, and Ellen continue their conversation about nurturing students’ connection to learning amid the coronavirus pandemic. [25:42] What are the new possibilities that come from settling into a new normal? And how do we learn from each other? What new openings have been popping up now that never occurred in the previous structures? [29:17] Have Kristi and Ellen given any thought to what returning to school will look like? How might things be different? [35:28] Learning and school are not synonymous. Kristi and Ellen highlight some of the key ways this pandemic has illustrated this. [38:02] How, as district leaders, do they plan on ensuring that the momentum they’ve built with the pandemic continues even after it has ended? [42:43] Kristi and Ellen give their closing thoughts and advice to other district leaders, educators, and parents. [45:42] Kelly thanks Kristi and Ellen for joining the podcast! [46:30] Jessica closes out the Getting Smart podcast and shares additional resources.   Mentioned in This Episode: GettingSmart.com/GettingThrough Bellingham Public Schools Renton School District   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 today’s special bonus episode, the Getting Smart team is sharing two school districts’ success stories that are currently shifting to remote learning after the outbreak of the coronavirus. In these schools, the buildings may have closed but the learning has never stopped! Both of these Superintendents have built great teams and great systems and they are confident that education in their districts (and beyond) will emerge better than ever as a result of this crisis.   First up to speak on the podcast is Tom Rooney from Lindsay Unified, which is located in California’s Central Valley. For the last decade, teachers (called ‘learning facilitators’ in Lindsay) have ensured learners’ success with the performance-based system that promotes agency, transparency, and learner goal setting.   Next up on the podcast, Tom speaks with Scott Rowe, the Superintendent of the Huntley Community School District located in a Northwest Chicago suburb. The Getting Smart team first visited Huntley in 2016, about five years into their transformation, and were very impressed with the high school blended learning program that allowed learners to earn autonomy and make decisions about their own learning. Two years ago, Huntley launched a competency-based micro-school. Both of these developments prepared Huntley to efficiently move learning online in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.   Both of these education leaders were proactive in crisis and quickly rallied their teams to do the best that they could to support every learner right now. They spotted challenges and built solutions to promote equity. Tune in to learn more about all that they’re doing amid the crisis and how they’re furthering personalized learning.   Key Takeaways: [:11] About today’s bonus episode. [1:22] Tom welcomes Tom Rooney to the podcast. [1:27] Tom gives an overview of the core elements of Lindsay Unified. [3:02] Tom Vander Ark shares an experience of his at Lindsay Unified. [3:34] Tom Rooney highlights a few more key components of Lindsay Unified’s personalized learning. [5:19] Tom shares how Lindsay Unified is continuing to teach students since their schools closed their doors. [10:45] Tom shares the core elements of what is different between elementary and secondary. [14:14] Tom shares how they’re working towards assisting students with special needs and learning differences. [16:19] What they’re doing at Lindsay Unified to keep seniors on track. [17:39] How Tom thinks this experience is going to change Lindsay and learning more broadly. [22:04] Tom Vander Ark thanks Tom Rooney for his leadership and for joining the podcast. [22:25] Jessica highlights some other episodes to check out about Lindsay Unified! [22:41] About this episode’s next featured guest, Scott Rowe. [23:15] Tom welcomes Scott Rowe on to the podcast! [23:37] Scott describes what personalized learning looks like at Huntley. [25:18] Scott further describes their earned autonomy model. [26:02] How Huntley converted their gymnasium into a cool learning hub. [27:58] Scott speaks about the competency pilot they recently launched at Huntley. [30:57] Is pacing a big challenge at Huntley? [32:30] How have things changed for Huntley when the Governor closed all of the schools? [34:30] How things are currently going in the elementary vs. the secondary level. [40:24] What Huntley is doing for students with special needs and learning differences. [43:47] Scott shares how Huntley is helping juniors and seniors stay on track for post-secondary planning. [45:09] How Scott thinks this experience may change Huntley as well as learning more broadly. [47:31] Tom thanks Scott Rowe for his leadership and for joining the podcast as well! [47:51] Jessica wraps up this week’s episode.   Mentioned in This Episode: GettingSmart.com/GettingThrough Lindsay Unified School District Getting Smart Ep. 176: “Schools Out: Lessons Learned from Lindsay Unified School District” Getting Smart Ep. 205: “Rebecca Midles on Mobilizing Change to Meet Learners Where They Are” Huntley Community School District iNACOL (now called the Aurora Institute) Competency-Based Education: A New Architecture for K-12 Schooling, by Rose L. Colby PowerSchool Learning Seesaw   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 on the podcast, Tom Vander Ark is speaking with Anant Agarwal, the founder and CEO of edX. In 2012, Anant founded edX, which was created in partnership between MIT and Harvard to extend open access to the courses taught by the best professors in the world. On top of this, Anant is also a Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at MIT. He has also served as the Director of CSAIL, MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. In total, he has worked at MIT for 32 years. Presently, he is also a Commission member on the Education Commission and a member of the Board of Directors of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. In this episode, Anant shares more of his story and speaks about the wonderful work he’s doing to extend access to more learners through edX. He shares the genesis of edX, why they chose to be a non-profit, some of the history behind MOOCs, some of the new and interesting courses on edX, the future roadmap for edX, and more.   Key Takeaways: [:10] About today’s episode. [:37] Tom welcomes Anant Agarwal to the podcast. [:44] Anant speaks about his early education. [1:35] Anant shares what led him to the Indian Institute of Technology Madras. [3:07] Anant speaks about the quality of education he felt he received at IIT Madras. [4:45] After IIT, Anant went to Standford to study Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. He speaks a bit about his experience there. [5:31] Anant speaks about his 32-year career at MIT and the various positions he has served. [6:42] Anant shares the quick origin story of the Computer Science and AI Lab (or CSAIL as it is better known). [7:07] Anant shares the genesis of edX. [9:34] What does Anant believe to be the first real Massive Open Online Course (MOOC)? [11:20] What does Anant think are the pros and cons of making edX an open, non-profit platform? [15:00] Nate McClennon speaks about Getting Smart’s new book, The Power of Place. [16:09] Would Anant say that MOOCs are very much alive and well today? [18:41] Is moving towards shorter skill-oriented certificates and away from degrees a big future trend? [21:27] Are they creating more corporate partnerships with edX? And are they seeing more corporate employers sponsoring online learning? [23:57] Does Anant see the tech giants (such as Amazon, Google, etc.) as new competitors in technical education, partners, or both? [25:32] As a non-profit, does it make it easier to partner with tech giants in technical education? [26:42] How do professionals continuously build tech skills, success/soft skills, and job skills through edX? [28:41] Does edX have any high school partners or high school students on their platform? [30:06] Anant highlights some of the new and interesting courses on edX. [31:22] Anant shares what’s on the roadmap for edX. [33:41] Tom thanks Anant for joining the podcast and for his leadership in this space.   Mentioned in This Episode: Anant Agarwal edX MIT Harvard University The Education Commission Coursera MOOC MIT OpenCourseWare Khan Academy The Power of Place: Authentic Learning Through Place-Based Education, by Tom Vander Ark, Dr. Emily Liebtag, and Nate McClennon MicroMasters Programs — edX   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!  

With schools in a majority of states closes, more than 36 million of about 50 million American students are learning remotely. The pandemic is posing a huge challenge for students and parents. Some parents are trying to figure out how to stay at home with the kids. Others are trying to figure out how to work at home with the kids there. Some are scrambling for child care.  Stress and uncertainty are high for everyone.  To get some advice on this new situation we spoke Rachel Wigglesworth, founder of Growing Great Families, a parent coaching and consulting organization. She holds a Master’s degree in Family Education with a Teaching Certificate in Parent Education. She’s been working with mothers and families for 15 years.  Rachel is also a scientist. Before working as a research biologist, she earned a Master’s in zoology and physiology at the University of Wyoming where she met her husband Nate McClennen. He’s the Vice President for Education and Innovation at Teton Science Schools and the co-author of The Power of Place: Authentic Learning Through Place-Based Education (and featured on this recent podcast).     In this podcast, Rachel and Nate provide some great advice to parents. Highlights of our conversation include:  Start with a family meeting: discuss everyone’s needs and opportunities-- what does everyone want to get out of this time? Develop some new agreements. In fact, starting each day with a morning meeting each day can be a great way to address a dynamic situation.  Create some new routines: you may need to update time to get up, dress code (like, yes, you do need to get out of your pajamas), and schedule for the day--being out of routine can be hard for some kids. But listen to children and try to take their interest into account.  Create some boundaries: if you need to work at home, set some daily rules and routines for scheduled meetings and work blocks. Don’t sweat a “meeting pirate” (a kid showing up in your Zoom conference.) Be realistic about some extra screen time: it’s likely that students (especially older ones) will be doing some school work online and trying to connect with their friends.  Don’t stress: Pick a few resources and work on those. Nate likes Greater Good in Education for social and emotional learning.  On academic work: make time for reading and math every day.  Start a journal: ask children to write (or draw) every day, reflect on the day as a great start.  Go outdoors every day: if safe and possible, go outside, go for a walk, ask children what they see.  Start a passion project: encourage learners to pick up that musical instrument that’s been in the closet, do some painting, produce a podcast, write a blog, plant a garden (even plant box on deck), build something (you can even take something apart and put it together).  Acknowledge what is going well: as author Vicki Hoefle says, identify and anchor in experiences--notice and comment on the progress your kids are making, pay less attention to the goofing off or less productive times.  Encourage responsibility: allow kids to help set guidelines, build solutions and see what they can accomplish on their own (read How to Raise an Adult for more).  Be understanding; start with empathy, try to uncover what’s going on that behind the meltdown. Help them feel felt as Dan Siegel would say. Realize that it will be hard for everyone. Focus on the relationship: Try to enjoy each other’s company, slow down and spend quality time. Connect deeply with each child at least once a day. To the extent you can, spend time together in crafts, games, and time outside.    For more see Episode 247: Emily Liebtag and Nate McClennen on the Power of Place    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!  

This week on the podcast, join Tom Vander Ark, Dr. Emily Liebtag, and Nate McClennen as they discuss their newly published book, The Power of Place: Authentic Learning Through Place-Based Education! They speak about the main themes they cover, the experiences and examples they share throughout it, and the defining principles of place-based education.   As a refresher, Emily Liebtag is the recently appointed CEO of Boundless, an organization dedicated to highlighting innovations in education. And Nate McClennen is the Vice President of Education and Innovation at Teton Science Schools where he focuses his time on how to scale the impact of place-based education through technology, innovation, design learning, rural education, and school networks. (And you already know Tom Vander Ark, the CEO of Getting Smart, if you listen to this podcast!) Join today’s conversation as the three of them speak about writing, place-based education, and their new book, The Power of Place.   Key Takeaways: [:13] About today’s episode. [1:03] Tom welcomes Emily and Nate on to the podcast. [1:42] Emily shares one of her favorite place-based education moments from the last several weeks. [4:04] Nate also shares a recent favorite place-based education moment that comes to mind for him. [6:06] Tom shares his enthusiasm about Crosstown High centered in Crosstown Concourse in Memphis, Texas. [7:38] When did Emily learn about Crosstown High and the benefits it brings to students. [11:06] Emily shares the origin story of The Power of Place as well as her favorite part about working on it. [12:40] Nate speaks about his career at Teton Science Schools and how he became involved in writing The Power of Place with Emily and Tom. [13:42] Tom speaks about his experience joining the Teton Science Schools’ Advisory Board. [14:18] Nate shares his definition of place-based education. [16:15] Nate speaks about the power of place. [17:25] Emily shares why place-based education is becoming increasingly important in the global conversation. [18:51] Tom speaks about how the shift to digital and the strong focus on standards have made learning more sterile. [20:58] Nate highlights how the themes of agency, equity, and community, connect The Power of Place together. [22:24] Emily continues the conversation around the themes that connect the book and how all learners experience place in a different, unique way. [23:25] Tom shares a recent experience of his at Latitude High and the different ‘place’ can make. [24:18] Nate shares a conversation between him and Tom about the importance of how connecting to place brings everyone together. [25:22] Nate explains what local-to-global means. [27:18] Tom and Nate explain what inquiry-based relates to. [29:08] Emily speaks about why design thinking is critically important when it comes to place. [31:35] What place-based education requires. [32:54] Nate highlights important aspects of place-based education and community as a classroom. [34:34] Tom speaks about Crosstown High’s 901 Project which is a great example of using community as a classroom. [35:48] Emily gives her thoughts on interdisciplinary learning. [38:42] Nate speaks about what readers will get out of their new book, The Power of Place. [39:55] Emily provides her final thoughts on [40:52] Nates gives an update on his recent project: place network. [42:06] Where to find Nate online. [42:31] Where to find Emily online. [42:46] Tom closes out the podcast and gives his thanks to Emily and Nate for joining.   Mentioned in This Episode: The Power of Place: Authentic Learning Through Place-Based Education, by Tom Vander Ark, Dr. Emily Liebtag, and Nate McClennen Emily Liebtag Boundless Nate McClennen Teton Science Schools (TetonScience.org) Crosstown Concourse Crosstown High High Tech High Latitude High School Quote by Wendall Berry: “...our sense of wholeness is not just the sense of completeness in ourselves but also is the sense of belonging to others and to our place; it is an unconscious awareness of community…” Crosstown High - Project 901 Nate McClennen on Twitter: @NMcClenn Emily Liebtag on Twitter: @EmilyLiebtag   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 today’s episode, Tom Vander Ark is continuing the conversation about starting career education early with Ed Hidalgo and Dr. David Bluestein! If you haven’t already, be sure to tune into that conversation first and then come back here to listen to Part Two!   After almost two decades of leadership and high tech human resource staffing, Ed Hidalgo led the development of the career education program called “World of Work.” Ed then joined the Cajon Valley Union School District as Chief Innovation and Engagement Officer and implemented the best K-8 career education program in the country. World of Work is based on a framework developed by John Holland 60 years ago, popularly known by the acronym, RIASEC. The framework includes six personality types: realistic, investigative, artistic, social, enterprising, and conventional. It also includes a set of assessments that helps young people become aware of their unique strengths, interests, and values. What’s great about World of Work is that it’s made up of 54 immersive units of study that create broad career awareness and give young people the opportunity to imagine possible futures.   Ed Hidalgo continues the conversation from last week’s episode by describing the best career education system out there — the World of Work! Tune in to learn all about what makes this framework incredibly special and the importance of starting career education as early as possible!   Key Takeaways: [:10] About today’s episode. [1:43] Tom welcomes Ed Hidalgo to the podcast. [2:25] Why did Ed move from Baltimore to Miami? [2:49] Why did Ed choose human resources to pursue a career in? [3:42] After working at Manpower for seven years, Ed worked at Qualcomm for 10 years. Ed shares some of the challenges in staffing in the years he worked there. [5:23] When did Ed leave Qualcomm? Was he there in the early days of ‘smart hiring’? [6:54] Ed shares some of the big lessons he learned about staffing at Qualcomm. [7:26] When hiring at Qualcomm, did they rely on traditional measures like where applicants went to school or the grades they received? [9:16] How has training and development changed in big tech? [9:57] Ed highlights the importance of the onboarding process for new employees. [11:22] Ed tells the origin story of the World of Work. [14:09] Did Ed find it a bit of a culture shock when he shifted into the world of education? [14:50] One of the core elements of the Cajon Valley model: celebrating differences. [16:44] Why Dr. Blustein starts every chapter in his book, The Importance of Work in an Age of Uncertainty, with ‘Being.’ [18:18] How did Ed develop Cajon’s career education system? And how was it adopted and incorporated at Cajon Valley? [20:16] How did Ed get such good support from teachers for this system and how did he support the teachers as well? [22:32] How did Ed convince the school board at Cajon Valley to adopt this system? [24:06] Tom shares a quick story about the Superintendent of Cajon Valley. [24:58] Ed gives a snapshot of what one of these units of study looks like in their framework. [26:58] Tom tells a story about Nepris. [27:49] Ed elaborates on their partnership with Nepris. [28:44] Dr. Bluestein chimes in with what he thinks career education should look like and gives his praises to Cajon Valley. [29:22] Ed elaborates on the secret sauce in this framework: the belief that career development is a human process. [31:17] Ed speaks about the importance of starting career education early. [34:30] Tom thanks Ed for the work he’s doing at Cajon Valley and for joining the podcast!   Mentioned in This Episode: Dr. David L. Blustein The Importance of Work in an Age of Uncertainty: The Eroding Work Experience in America, by David L. Blustein Ed Hidalgo Cajon Valley Union School District LearnLaunch American Student Assistance (ASA) John Holland Qualcomm Nepris   For More on Career Education, Be Sure to Check Out: Getting Smart Ep. 240: “Jean Eddy on Starting Early with Career Education”   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!