Educational experts Andrew Hargreaves and Dennis Shirley discuss the complexities of identity in education. They emphasize the importance of understanding and supporting diverse identities in educational settings, including marginalized groups like racial, indigenous, LGBTQ, and students with disabilities. The podcast delves into the impact of identity on inclusion, achievement, and social emotional learning, highlighting the need for humanizing education and allowing students to articulate their identities for enhanced engagement and academic performance.

Too many schools still rely on deeply ingrained, segregated practices that fail to serve all students. Author of the book Leading for All and district leader Jennifer Spencer-iiams would like to change this. In this episode she shares lessons learned from spending nearly a decade building a school district where all students are served in their neighborhood school and in classrooms with their general education peers. Hear how to get better academic outcomes for all students, not just those identified with disabilities, by promoting self-efficacy, improving social and emotional health, and consistently implementing research-based instructional strategies. Let us know what you think!

One does not often pair unreasonable and irrational with care and hospitality, but superstar superintendent Mike Nelson does. As he sees it, to get at the kind of collaboration most school leaders crave requires them go far deeper into human relations than usual. In this episode, he defines what he calls human interconnectedness and provides specific examples of what it looks like and how to get there. Topics include how to make your staff feel seen and heard every day, the benefits of taking the time to build strong connections and tips for fully immersing yourself in the daily experiences of those you lead.  Let us know what you think!

When there’s a nuclear meltdown happening with a student in your school, you don’t have a second to think. Author and consultant Ben Springer, shares the framework from his bestselling book Happy Kids Don’t Punch You in the Face, to discuss what to do in the heat of the moment, and how you can decrease the chances of incidents happening in the first place. His approach is a field-tested, integrating principles of behavioral intervention with the best practices of positive psychology—a fresh, effective response that respects the tough realities facing today’s educators.Let us know what you think!

Renowned speech-language pathologist and psychologist, Pamela Snow, discusses the rise and fall of balanced literacy and the importance of teaching essential reading skills. She emphasizes education as a public health intervention and the need for data-driven changes in teaching practices. The podcast also highlights the importance of bipartisan support and professional development in education, while emphasizing the value of unfamiliar concepts and treating teachers as professionals.

Have you ever started your school year as a principal feeling overwhelmed and pulled in a million directions? It’s a common experience and one not addressed explicitly in a many training programs. This episode’s guest, Daniel Bauer, is on to talk about a practical solution: creating the perfect principal entry plan. You will hear him discuss his framework that promises big payoffs for just a few hours of focused work. If you believe crystal clear clarity on your goals is the most efficient way to support your team and sustain continuous improvement, hit play.Let us know what you think!

Planning for equitable accelerated learning is analogous to preparing a meal. Similar to a chef selecting the menu, gathering ingredients, and planning the occasion, educators choose aligned curricula to prioritize learning to help students internalize instruction. Straight from their new book Serving Educational Equity, Sonya Murray and Gwendolyn Turner  share with listeners how to distinguish acceleration from remediation, establish effective foundational instruction, expand student engagement for all students, and use student excellence as the driver for full equity. Let us know what you think!

Author and consultant Lyle Kirtman discusses the importance of aligning educational strategies with student outcomes to combat burnout in schools. He provides tips on talking to data-averse teachers, making decisions based on guiding questions, and pushing back against counterproductive mandates.

Schools need leaders, but fewer and fewer are entering into the position. And far too few are thriving once they are in the role. Two reasons: a mismatch of expectations and a lack of clarity about what the job entails. These signal that it is time to take a hard look at how we prepare aspiring leaders. Tim Cusack and Bustamante have surveyed the landscape, and share their findings in their latest book, Leader Ready. They propose four pathways to get budding leaders to bloom, including standards-based support, guided practice with mentors and mastery experiences. Let us know what you think!

New teaching staff, whether novice or veteran, are a central part of a successful school year. So why is it that they are often greeted at the door of our school community with the autopilot vibe of a ticket taker at the movies? In their latest book Onboarding Teachers, Fisher, Frey, Shin and Biscocho change the rules of engagement, offering activities and practical strategies that focus leaders and coaches on critical aspects of success for that make-or-break first year. Let us know what you think!