RethinkingEDU

Ep25-Perspectives-Justin Menda and Rocket Prep

Our newest series is called Perspectives and in it we have conversations with individuals who might not always be at the center of the education dialogue. In this episode we talk with entrepreneur, standardized test prep expert, and dynamic thinker Justin Menda of the company Rocket Prep. Justin talks about his experiences with test preparation and his work to empower students to set goals and make decisions in their lives. He also illuminates some aspects of education that he sees as requiring change, particularly as we approach a post-pandemic work. Music by Ketsa.

Ep24-COVID Reboot-We're back!

After a brief fall / winter hiatus, the team is back in action with some intriguing insights into their experiences this fall. Jeannine talks about curriculum changes in the virtual classroom. Julie elaborates on the recent declaration of future DOE nominee Miguel Cardona. Mike shares his insights into the impending teacher shortage. No plugs this week as we get back into the swing of things, but check out our upcoming episodes for some interesting guests and thoughtful dialogue. Music by Ketsa.

Ep23-Knowledge Drop-Elizabeth Hamblet and Executive Functioning

Executive Functioning (EF) has quickly become a buzzword in the educational landscape over the past five years. Elizabeth Hamblet has been doing work with college-aged students to address EF skill deficits and help these young people find success at what can be a particularly tumultuous time. In this Knowledge Drop episode, Mike chats with Elizabeth about EF, her book about transitioning to college, and what implications a focus on EF could have for K12 educators and schools. Plugs include Elizabeth's website LDAdvisory.com and her book From High School to College: Steps to Success for Students With Disabilities. Be sure to used the code RETHINKINGEDU for a special discount on Elizabeth's book. Music by Scott Holmes.

 

Ep22-Networks-Ulcca Joshi Hansen and Series Final Thoughts

Ulcca Joshi Hansen is an educator, consultant, and mom who has dedicated her entire career to understanding the intricacies of what hinders and supports school change. In this episode, we unpack Ulcca's three buckets of schools idea, talk about how we have set up an educational system that we could actually change, and get some insight about her upcoming book. Check out Ulcca's consultancy at Educating Potential. Plugs include A Revolution in Education, Mark the Shark, SoundTrap, The Divided Brain, and "College-Educated Professionals Are Capitalism’s Useful Idiots". Music by Ketsa.

Ep21-Networks-Kelly Young, Grace Kiboko, Education Reimagined, and SparkHouse

The learner-centered movement is pushing the boundaries of what school should be for so many young people. It's fundamentally asking teachers, administrators, parents, and student to rethink what might be possible in school. In this episode, we explore some of these ideas with Kelly Young, the President of Education Reimagined, and Grace Kiboko, a recent graduate of Iowa BIG and a participant in SparkHouse, a learner-centered convening of Education Reimagined. Plugs include New Ed Tech Classroom, Rich Blocks Poor Blocks, Community Share, Canva, Procreate, and @SoYouWantToTalkAbout. Music by Ketsa.

Ep20-COVID-19-The Politicization Of Reopening Schools

With some schools already back in session, and many reopening task-forces looking at Labor Day in the not too distant future, the daunting task of reopening schools is upon us. Join our co-hosts as we break down some of the fundamental issues surrounding the reopening of schools. We talk about mask wearing, CDC guidelines, our system's complicated relationship with childcare, and much more. Plugs include the Multitude podcast collective, Great Battles For Boys (but, really, anyone) by Joe Giorello, Nepris, and Full Focus planner. Music by Ketsa.

Ep19-Knowledge Drop-Jenny Delacruz and Sharing Time With Our Children

Jenny Delacruz is an author, publishing company CEO, YouTube channel star, and counselor. Her Philadelphia-based publishing company, Cobbs Creek Publishing, specializes in children's books that "promote emotional intelligence and critical thinking skills." In this episode, co-host Matt Downing talks with Jenny about her work and how things have changed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The conversation touches on Jenny's newest book: Momma, Can I Sleep with You Tonight? Helping Children Cope with the Impact of COVID-19, her Story Time With Ms Melange YouTube channel, and how being of Haitian descent launched her work as an author and storyteller. Music by Scott Holmes.

Ep18-Knowledge Drop-Henry Fairfax and The Revolution School

Listen as co-host Mike Dunn sits down with Henry Fairfax, the Head of School at the Revolution School in Philadelphia, PA. Revolution is a boutique school serving a diverse group of Philly-based students. It was founded as a way to radically transform education. With this goal in mind, Henry and his team have showcased what's possible with a nimble, thoughtful approach to rethinking eduction. Plugs include Most Likely To Succeed by Tony Wagner and Ted Dintersmith, Range by David Epstein, Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds, and your local bikeshop like Keswick Cycles. Music by Scott Holmes.

Ep17-Networks-Eva Mejia, Zelia Gonzales, and Big Picture Learning

Listen in as our co-hosts have a conversation with Eva Mejia, the Chief Program and Strategy Officer at Big Picture Learning, and Zelia Gonzales, a recent graduate of the Met Sacramento and a current Cornell University student. Our conversation uncovers some of the power of Big Picture for young people like Zelia, how BP students students are known, given opportunities to connect learning to their interests, and set on a future trajectory that is unique and bountiful. Plugs include Big Bang Summer Fest, Books With Brothers, Rebel Ventures Network, The Body Is Not An Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor, Education Elements, and Atomic Habits by James Clear. Music by Ketsa.

Ep16-Networks-Rural School Collaboration and Action

In this episode, our co-hosts sit down with three amazing guests doing great work with rural schools, teachers, and policy. We talk with Gary Funk of the Rural Schools Collaborative, Allen Pratt of the National Rural Education Association, and Hailey Winkelman of the I Am A Rural Teacher Campaign. Listen in as we uncover some of the work the groups are taking on to address the issues rural teachers face, while also bringing to light countless success stories. Plugs include American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins, Bandlab, Common Sense Media, National Novel Writing Month, Pleistocene Park, Audible, and Defunctland. Music by Ketsa.

Ep15-COVID-19-Reopening Schools

As we approach mid-summer, talk across the country has focused on the logistics and inner-workings of reopening schools amidst a pandemic. In this episode our co-hosts talk about some of the conversations we've been part of and how we are all trying to wrap our brains around the intricacies of reopening in the next couple of months. Plugs include Headrush Learning, the Black Scholars Podcast, Equity by Design, and Rewiring Education by John D. Couch. Music by Ketsa.

Ep14-Networks-Stephanie Howell, Lance Key, and Finding Resonate People

As an educator, finding people that you resonate with is critical to your mental health and ongoing efforts. On a long walk in Australia, Stephanie Howell and Lance Key decided that a collaboration would be fruitful endeavor and haven't looked back since. Stephanie and Lance are Google Certified Innovators, Tech coaches, and hosts of the podcast Get Inspired and Innovate. In this episode, we talk with Stephanie and Lance about engaging with like minded educators and the importance of building one's network to continue to inspire and innovate in your work. Plugs include Kiva.org, TED's podcast Pindrop, CK12.org, Global Dignity, myViewBoard, Edulastic, Global Google Educator Group, and Fairtest.org. Music by Ketsa.

Ep13-Networks-Chris Nesi and The Education Podcast Landscape

Podcasting has become a groundbreaking medium for sharing stories and information on a range of topics. In this episode, we talk with the founder of the Education Podcast Network, Chris Nesi. Chris is the host of the House of Edtech and the co-host of Podcast PD. The conversation touches on the value of the podcast as a platform for sharing ideas, and a space for educators to come together to reimagine their schools, practices, and ideas. Plugs include GoSynth, EdPuzzle, Voice Record Pro, and Black Owned Philly Restaurants. Music by Ketsa.

Ep12-Knowledge Drop-Raj Lewis and Individuals Experiencing Poverty in our Education System

In our second Knowledge Drop episode, co-host Matt Downing sits down with Raj Lewis, the director of a residential men's program. Raj and Matt dive into the impact our systems of education has on those experiencing poverty. They talk about meeting individuals where they are on their life path, encouraging quality of life assessments in social work, and how these ideas might impact K-12 education. Plugs include Iowa BIG, Trellis For Tomorrow, Tools for Conviviality by Ivan Illich. Music by Scott Holmes.

Ep11-Networks-Tom Vander Ark and the Learner-Centered Schools Of Our Future

In one of the best conversations yet, the team drops some tough questions into the lap of Getting Smart's Tom Vander Ark. Tom shares his thoughts on schools opening this fall, the wide range of work he's involved with, and a treasure trove of schools to check out in the world. Plugs include Chris Emdin's IG, Tom's vegetarian cooking IG, the Green School in Bali, Slidesyearbook, OERcommons, How to Be Heard by Celine Coggins, and so much more. Music by Ketsa.

Ep10-Knowledge Drop-Chris Horne, Kevin Parsons, and College Admissions

In our first Knowledge Drop episode, host Mike Dunn chats with fellow College Counselors Chris Horne and Kevin Parsons about the state of college admissions. They talk about how COVID-19 is impacting their work, some of the struggles they've encountered with students doing school at home, and the potential impact of the current state of standardized testing on the future college admissions. Plugs include Compass Test Prep's College Profiles, Washington Monthly's College Guide, and Chris's awesome Instagram account @HorneAdvising. Music by Scott Holmes.

Ep9-Networks-Kevan Turman and The Brothers Brunch

As the country grapples with racism in the wake of the death of George Floyd, Mike, Julie, Jeannine, and Matt sit down with CEO and Founder of the Brothers Brunch, Kevan Turman. We talk about Kevan's struggle with being diagnosed with COVID-19, the impact of Floyd's death on him and his work, and the network that the Brothers Brunch brings together to dig into challenging topics that we all struggle with. Kevan gives insight into his most recent Youtube episode called "Deep Breaths: What are we to do when the air we breath becomes too heavy". This episode is timely and a critical conversation for all of us rethinking education in the midst of our current reality. Plugs include Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes, DoSomething.org, Global Oneness Project, and Texting Story. Music by Ketsa.

Ep8-Networks-The Education Entrepreneurship Incubator

The episode features the homegrown work of the co-hosts: The Education Entrepreneurship Incubator (EEI). EEI was facilitated by Mike, Matt, Julie, and Jeannine if the fall of 2019 as a way to bring educators together who were struggling to bring their idea, project, or plan to reality. We spent the day with a cohort of ambitious people who incubated their ideas, developed action plans, and took the next step to making a difference in their classrooms and lives. We catch up with these folks in this episode, featuring Beth Santangelo, Brandon Reichart, Devon Lavery, Laura Ward, Ryan Ward, and Trina Kraus. This episode's plugs: Cutting Edge Decks, Designing Your Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans, Explosions of Joy by Trina Kraus and Paul Yin, EY's Ripples Program, Killer Snails, Nothing But Purpose, Tinkergarten, World Bicycle Relief, and World of Work. Music by Ketsa.

Ep7-Networks-Ron Berger and EL Education

Mike, Julie, Jeannine, and Matt strike up a conversation with EL Education's Ron Berger. Ron gets into EL's purpose, its core values, and some of the reasons why it's held back a bit in growing its network, despite calls for more EL schools around the country. Ron talks about EL's free resources, including their notable literacy curriculum and his own path as a teacher in a small rural town in Massachusetts. This week's plugs include: Maverick Teachers by Dave Baugh and AJ Juliani, Wide Open School, Rivet- a free reading practice tool, and Better Together by Tom Vander Ark and Lydia Dobyns. Music by Ketsa.

Ep6-Networks-Joy Rosser, Bruce Vosburgh, and AMLE

Dive into the network designed specifically for Middle School Teachers, as co-hosts Mike, Jeannine, and Matt share a conversation with Joy Rosser and Bruce Vosburgh. With more than 50 years of combined school experience, Joy and Bruce give insights into the Association for Middle Level Educations (AMLE) and more specifically its Pennsylvania affiliate PAMLE. Lots of plugs in this episode, including: Joy's recent book Sharing Mindsets, AMLE's National Schools to Watch, Ted Dintersmith's book What School Could Be, Online Voice Recorder, and Education Reimagined. Music by Ketsa.

Ep5-Networks-Chris Unger and The NExT Network

Join us as we explore the power of networks with Northeastern University professor Dr. Chris Unger. Chris talks about the value of building one's personal network and plugs a number of different individuals and schools pushing the envelope of education. Plugs include: Blue Valley CAPS, Iowa BIG, One Stone, Tri-County Early College, the Charlotte Lab School, Getting Smart, Tacoma School's iDEA, Upper Valley Educators Institute, Lyndon Institute's J-Term, Go Boundless, and, of course, Northeastern University's NExT initiative. Music by Ketsa.

Ep4-Networks-Deyonne Jackson and Teacher Powered Schools

This is our first installment in our series on school networks. This episode features special guest Deyonne Jackson of the Woods Learning Center in Casper, WY. We talk with Deyonne about the 100+ school network of Teacher Powered Schools and how they're making us rethink education. Music by Ketsa.

Prequel-Power Of Networks

Join our co-hosts as they hash out what's in store for our upcoming season on the power of networks. We'll talk about formal and informal networks, how technology impacts networks, and some potential guests for our next few episodes. Music by Ketsa.

Ep3-COVID-19-Fran Warren and Teacher Self Care

In our third episode, co-hosts Mike, Matt, Jeannine, and Julie are joined by Founder of The Educators Room Fran Warren. We talk about Teacher Self-Care, a critical topic in the time of constant video conferences and working from home. Our focus on work/life balance is timely when balance seems increasingly elusive. Music by Ketsa.

Ep2-COVID-19-Technology In A Hyper-Tech Time

The COVID-19 pandemic has required teachers and schools to rethink their relationship to technology. In this episode, Julie, Mike, Matt, and Jeannine talk about their approach to technology use, their student's responses, and some thoughts for our future use of tech in education. Music by Ketsa.