Education Uncharted

Embracing Our Humanity in Education

Featuring Chris Beals

Trust and support are pivotal in creating positive relationships within school districts and the stronger those ties are, the more a district can thrive.

In this episode, host Amanda Bratten speaks with Chris Beals, Project Manager for the Washington Association of School Administrators or WASA, a seasoned educator with over 28 years of experience in supporting administrators and teachers.

Throughout the episode, Chris emphasizes the significance of understanding the realities faced by educators in the classroom and he shares practical strategies that district administrators can implement to build stronger, more positive relationships with their staff. Listen in to discover the transformative power of empathy, effective communication, and taking the time to truly listen to teachers' challenges and triumphs. Learn how even a small amount of trust can empower educators to take risks, grow professionally, and ultimately enhance student learning experiences.

You’ll learn how to:

• Create a trusting environment where educators feel supported and valued
• Demonstrate genuine support and foster a collaborative culture where everyone feels heard and understood
• Be intentional in your decision-making to create a more meaningful and effective learning experience for our students

From Mistakes to Growth: How Inquiry-Based Learning Sparks Classroom Innovation

Featuring Lisa Thayne and Katie Hovanec

As educators, it's essential to model curiosity and encourage students to explore ideas. By asking questions, we can uncover hidden barriers and understanding. In this episode, host Amanda Bratten sits down with Lisa Thayne and Katie Hovanec from the Propello team to discuss the power of inquiry-based learning. These outstanding educators share their experiences and insights on creating a dynamic learning environment where students are engaged and eager to explore. They discuss practical strategies that will help educators implement inquiry-based learning in their classrooms and foster deep, meaningful connections with their students. Listen in to learn how to ask the right questions to encourage students to arrive at their own answers and provide students with the framework to observe, organize, and question to connect the dots and truly understand the material.

You’ll learn how to:

1. Embrace discomfort as part of the learning process to create a classroom environment that fosters critical and creative thinking.
2. Reflect on and learn from failures, it’s a crucial component of inquiry-based learning
3. Foster engagement by asking students how they arrived at their answers and encouraging them to make connections with their own experiences and perspectives

Student-Centered Learning and its Role in Revolutionizing Education

Featuring Dr. Elizabeth Dean

In today's rapidly evolving educational landscape, the traditional model of schooling is being redefined to better engage and empower students in their learning journey. 

Join host Amanda Bratten as she sits down with Dr. Elizabeth Dean, Director of Learning at The Village School in Virginia. Noticing the gaps and opportunities in the educational landscape from her own experience as a student, Elizabeth chose to become an educator who is paving a new approach to teaching and learning as we know it. A proponent of student-centered learning, Elizabeth encourages project-based learning, play, and curiosity as key components of an engaging and impactful education.

Join us as we explore student-centered learning and what it looks like to give students more agency in traditional educational settings. 

You’ll learn: 

1. As educators, we must trust that students know what's best for their own personal learning journey. They each bring valuable skills, knowledge, and perspectives, and everyone in the room, including educators, can benefit from this.
2. We must support every student in developing a deep sense of belonging and ownership of their learning, allowing every voice to carry equal weight.
3. Create curious, lifelong learners that actively question and collaborate to solve problems and build a better world.

Making Learning Relevant and Exciting for Students

Featuring Dr. Tonya Clarke

From mathematics to literature, the world of learning is full of endless discovery. Beyond memorizing facts and figures, learning is made meaningful when it is made relevant. This shift in our teaching approach is essential to help our students build a solid and genuine understanding of their learning materials. 

Join host Amanda Bratten as she sits down with a trailblazer in education, Dr. Tonya Clarke, Mathematics Coordinator at Clayton County Public School System. Driven by a profound belief in the power of educational practices., Dr. Clarke has reimagined the classroom experience. From cultivating perseverance and problem-solving skills to instilling precision and deeper understanding, her teaching philosophy transcends equations and formulas. She equips students with the tools to decipher structures, enabling them not only to solve math problems, but to craft their own equations with newfound confidence.

Join us as we discuss Dr. Clarke's teaching strategies that have reshaped the landscape of math education in her district and explore how her innovative approach is equipping students with skills that transcend the classroom and extend into their broader lives.

You’ll learn: 

1. Why it is important to make learning relevant to students' lives. Understanding their interests and connecting lessons to real-world applications can significantly increase engagement and motivation.
2. How to support teachers in structuring lessons that resonate with all students. Support should extend beyond training and include planning, coaching, and modeling.
3. The importance of creating connections between the classroom and the world outside, and how fostering a positive attitude towards education and creating a collaborative learning environment can help students be successful.

Redefining Success and Accountability in Education

Featuring Anthony Vargas

Creating an inclusive learning space for all students is quite a challenge, and even experienced educators are still grappling with meeting every student's needs.

Join host Amanda Bratten and special guest Anthony Vargas, a passionate advocate for talent development and equitable education, for an exciting conversation about the needs of gifted and advanced learners. We'll also delve into the significance of adopting a growth mindset.

In this episode, Anthony highlights the lack of formal training for teachers and its repercussions on underserved students. We'll also explore Anthony's three-pronged change process for success, which involves policy, accountability, and support.

As a teacher, administrator, and student, Anthony inspires us to introspect on our contributions to inequities and take action to foster a more inclusive and nurturing education system. Get ready to dive into this thought-provoking conversation and discover how we can all play a role in shaping a brighter future for our students.

You’ll learn: 

1. How to challenge old ways of thinking to create a more inclusive education system in our ever-changing world.
2. Why it's crucial for all stakeholders to collaborate and tackle problems head-on.
3. The importance of improving professional development and its positive impact on classrooms and teachers.

Creating Schools Where Every Student Belongs

Featuring Luma Mufleh

Education is all about community. Every student needs a support system they can rely on.

In this inspiring episode, host Amanda Bratten sits down with Luma Mufleh, an activist, author, entrepreneur, and founder of Fugees Family, the only network of schools in the U.S. dedicated to refugee and immigrant education. A Jordanian immigrant of Syrian descent, Luma shares her personal experiences and how they have fueled her unwavering commitment to empowering refugee and immigrant children through education.

Throughout the conversation, Luma imparts invaluable lessons on creating change. She emphasizes the importance of not taking no for an answer and fearlessly advocating for what is needed to ensure the success of her students.

You’ll also learn: 

1. How to keep students at the heart of your efforts
2. The importance of incorporating art, movement, and song to bring joy and success into each student's day
3. Why embracing learning methods outside of traditional school work can foster excitement, inclusivity, and a sense of belonging in the classroom

Join us as we delve into Luma Mufleh's journey, her inspiring work, and the powerful message she conveys through her books, "Learning America: One Woman's Fight for Educational Justice for Refugee Children" and the newly released memoir, "From Here." Prepare to be inspired to make a difference.

Culture and Connectedness

Featuring Peter DeWitt

A school's culture and connectedness play a vital role in establishing an exceptional learning environment for students. It is the shared responsibility of teachers and principals to actively maintain the health and well-being of this environment.

Join host Amanda Bratten for an insightful conversation with Peter DeWitt, leadership coach, EdWeek contributing author, and former teacher and principal, as they discuss building healthier and more effective teams within a school.

In this episode, Peter shares his experience on topics such as success criteria, collective efficacy, teacher autonomy, and developing a collaborative learning environment. Along the way he emphasizes the importance of intentional planning and measuring the impact of decision-making, while also sharing practical tools for enhancing communication and engagement during presentations and workshops.

Through Peter’s first-hand experience, learn how trust and honest feedback are crucial for creating a culture of connectedness and taking something from good to outstanding.

You’ll learn: 

1. What is “De-Implementation” and why it is important in education.
2. Strategies that teachers can use to ensure their actions are impactful.
3. How teachers can ensure they have more autonomy in their own learning and teaching.

Language as Power

Featuring Sarah Ottow

Language is more than just words – it holds the key to extraordinary opportunities and endless potential for our students.

Join host Amanda Bratten in a captivating conversation with Sarah Ottow, a renowned educator and author of The Language Lens for Content Classrooms, as they delve into the transformative power of language.

In this episode, Sarah shares her expertise on the intricate art and science of language learning, emphasizing the dedication and sustained effort required from all stakeholders. Along the way, you’ll discover the significance of empowering teachers to shape language learning pathways and the necessity of internal collaboration within educational communities. 

Through Sarah's inspiring words, we learn how immersing oneself in diverse perspectives and experiences can enrich teaching practices and facilitate language learning in diverse classrooms. Ultimately, she reminds us that, regardless of our backgrounds or languages spoken, we share a common human experience and a passion for education.

You’ll learn: 

1. How to create exceptional opportunities for students who speak different languages.
2. The importance of engaging students in co-constructing their language learning journey for an inclusive classroom environment.
3. Why you should prioritize collaboration, autonomy, reflection, and diverse experiences to enhance teaching and support diverse classrooms.

The Art of Storytelling

Featuring Phil Cook

Teachers face an uphill battle as they strive to engage students and facilitate  meaningful learning. Additionally, each student possesses a unique learning style and pace, making it difficult to design a one-size-fits-all approach to teaching.

TikTok superstar, Phil Cook, joins host Amanda Bratten to share what he’s learned within his many years of teaching. For over two decades, Phil has learned what drives his student’s overall retention, which led him to integrate creative practices to grab his students’ attention. 

Phil has a desire to make science education exciting and accessible for all students through hands-on experiments and creative teaching methods. In this episode, he explains those methods that help demonstrate real-world relevance of science to students. Additionally, he taps into the art of storytelling, and how to engage students who may have negative preconceptions about science. You’ll also learn about the importance of tapping into technology as he shares his journey in becoming viral on TikTok.

To learn more about Phil’s knowledge, recommendations, and passions within teaching, click the links in the comments.

You’ll learn: 

1. How to utilize  social media to make science more approachable.
2. The importance of hands-on activities for elevating science education results.
3. Why critical thinking skills are crucial to navigate the ever-evolving world of technology.