Talking Out of School

Episode 12: Teachers need 'professional authority'

Teachers quit the classroom when they lack control, choice and collaboration, says Becky Pringle, president of the NEA teachers union.

Episode 11: School Safety Expert Ken Trump

In this episode, Dr. Ken Trump, president of the National School Safety and Security Services,  describes the current school safety climate and what leaders can do now to ensure a safer 2024-25 school year.

Data and Strategic Partnerships: Overcoming the Challenges Facing K-12 Facilities Leaders

Gordian recently commissioned a double-blind study, conducted by Forrester Consulting, shedding light on the pressing challenges confronting K-12 facilities nationwide. Shockingly, nearly half of K-12 school facilities leaders admit to falling short of achieving their primary objectives, jeopardizing student safety, facing costly fines, and undermining the overall learning environment.
Delve into our podcast to delve deeper into the report's revelations, and discover effective strategies for district leaders to tackle the prevalent school facilities challenges unveiled by the study.
Key discussion points include:
1. The imminent dangers of deferred maintenance and proactive measures for repairs and upgrades.2. The pivotal role of comprehensive assessments and data in making informed decisions regarding school facilities and infrastructure.3. Strategies for pinpointing strategic maintenance and renovation opportunities within a school system and understanding their impact on students and communities.

Episode 10: Hedy Chang of Attendance Works

At the risk of telling you something you already know, chronic absenteeism is one of the most serious challenges to superintendents' efforts to get all students back on track. "The churn that's happening in classrooms is now affecting everyone, it's affecting the ability of teachers to teach, teachers to set classroom norms, and kids to learn," Attendance Works Executive Director Hedy Chang says on this week's podcast. 
 

EPISODE 9: Alberto Carvalho

The Los Angeles Unified School District is taking AI where few other districts have gone before. So how does "Ed, "LAUSD's personalized AI student assistant work?

Assessing your MTSS Implementation for Effectiveness and Equity

In this episode, experts discuss the effectiveness of Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) in schools, covering equity promotion, learning gaps, and the importance of various instructional strategies. Dr. Robert Arzawicki of Renaissance Learning highlights the role of foundational literacy in educational success, while Farah Asaraj from the Council of the Great City Schools stresses the need for systemic, equitable MTSS practices to aid all students, especially multilingual learners and those with disabilities. 
The conversation underscores the broadening scope of MTSS to encompass behavioral and emotional support and the push for culturally responsive assessments. With a growing trend towards MTSS adoption for equitable student outcomes, listeners are directed to resources from state guidelines, Renaissance Learning, and the Council of the Great City Schools for further exploration, positioning the podcast as a vital tool for enhancing MTSS strategies and fostering educational change.

Episode 8: Baruti Kafele - "Principal Kafele"

Leadership and equity expert Baruti Kafele, better known as Principal Kafele, is a powerful speaker with an inspirational approach to PD that drives educators toward their full potential.  

Episode 7: Robin Lake

Transforming K12 into a more fully student-centered system is the wicked problem facing public schools, says Robin Lake, director of the Center on Reinventing Public Education.

Episode 6: Sean Bulson

The superintendency is more complex than ever, and turnover rates reflect that. In this episode, we're joined by Harford County Public Schools Superintendent Sean Bulson, an 11-year superintendent who speaks about the importance of resiliency and how he's managed to stay true to the spark that made him fall in love with the profession in the first place.

Episode 5: 100 Superintendent March Panel

A group of superintendents makes their voices heard at the White House and in Congress during the “100 Superintendents March on the Hill.”