Teaching Matters

Dr. Jonah Schenker, Superintendent of Ulster BOCES in New Paltz, NY, discusses the concept of deeper learning and its implementation at Ulster BOCES. He emphasizes the importance of leadership in fostering an environment conducive to deeper learning and the skills necessary for students to thrive in the future. The discussion also highlights the recent Deeper Learning Conference and its innovative approach to fostering Deeper Leadership among educators. The discussion also addresses the challenges of translating big ideas into actionable steps and the importance of preparing for future challenges in the educational landscape. The upcoming 2025 Leading for Deeper Learning Conference (https://www.ulsterboces.org/educator-edge-home/educator-professional-development/for-school-district-leaders/dlny) is scheduled for July 15 & 16, 2025.

In the February 12, 2024, episode, listeners learned about the use of Writable by Galveston ISD in Texas. In this episode you will meet Andrew Goldman, co-founder of Writable (https://www.writable.com) and Executive Vice President of HMH Labs. Andrew discusses the origin story of Writable as well as the emerging role of artificial intelligence as a tool for teachers. Goldman suggests that AI may help teachers re-allocate time from tedious tasks so that they can provide meaningful feedback and establish authentic connections with students.

Nigel Nisbet, Vice President of Content Creation at the MIND Education, discusses the intersection of artificial intelligence and education, particularly in mathematics. The conversation explores how neuroscience can inform teaching methods including the integration of experiential learning to help students make connections while learning mathematical concepts. MIND Education (https://www.mindeducation.org) enables students to experience math the way the brain learns, ensuring that all students are mathematically equipped to solve the world’s most challenging problems.

In this conversation, Scott Titsworth and Dr. Temple Lovelace discuss the evolving landscape of educational assessment, focusing on the mission of Assessment for Good (https://aerdf.org/programs/assessment-for-good/). Assessment for good is a program funded by the Advanced Education Research and Development Fund, a national nonprofit dedicated to unlocking scientific breakthroughs to solve teaching and learning challenges in PK-12 settings. They explore the importance of formative assessment, the implications of high-stakes testing, and innovative approaches to assessment that prioritize learner-centered practices. The discussion also touches on the role of AI in enhancing assessment tools and the future vision for assessment practices that are more experiential and authentic.

Aptitude Testing and Career Readiness in Danbury Local Schools This is the second of a two-part series exploring the use of aptitude testing to help students envision career goals. In this episode of Teaching Matters, Scott Titsworth engages with Koree Hodgkinson and Victoria Hegsted from Danbury Local Schools in Ohio to discuss the implementation of YouScience (https://www.youscience.com), a platform designed to assist students in understanding career pathways. The conversation explores the unique challenges faced by a small school district, the importance of career readiness, and how data from Youth Science informs curriculum development and student support. The guests share insights on engaging parents, collaborating with local businesses, and the transformative impact of career assessments on students' futures.

In this conversation, Dr. Alana Gillis discusses the significance of class participation in education, emphasizing its role in enhancing student learning and engagement. She explores the inequalities present in educational systems and how they affect student participation. Dr. Gillis proposes a redefinition of participation as a skill set rather than a mere attendance metric, advocating for a structured approach to assess and develop these skills. The discussion also covers the mechanics of goal setting in participation, the transfer of skills learned in the classroom to other contexts, and the successful implementation of her model in middle school education. For more information about Dr. Gillis’ research, please visit her blog post discussing these topic.

In this episode of Teaching Matters, Scott Titsworth engages with Russ Davis and Dr. Kara Stern, both of SchoolStatus, to discuss the critical role of communication in education, particularly between teachers, students, and families. They discuss a research report recently released by SchoolStatus identifying specific opportunities for improving communication as well as ways in which SchoolStatus offers potentially effective solutions. Report Link: https://www.schoolstatus.com/resource/download-engagement-trends-in-school-family-communications?utm_medium=pr&utm_source=newswire&utm_campaign=survey_pitch&utm_term=report

In this episode of Teaching Matters, Scott Titsworth speaks with Jeremy Oskins, an automotive and robotics teacher at Comanche ISD in Texas. They discuss the increasing demand for skilled tradespeople, the innovative curriculum Jeremy has developed to engage students in automotive training, and the partnerships he has built with local businesses to provide real-world experience. Jeremy shares insights on the barriers preventing students from entering skilled trades and emphasizes the importance of hands-on learning and creating opportunities for students to explore their interests in technical fields.

Teacher and staff shortages, particularly in areas of specialized need like speech pathology, counseling, and accessible education, are increasing throughout the country. Such shortages coupled with increasing non-instructional demands on teachers increase stress and, for some, burnout. Despite that, a recent survey conducted by Soliant, a recruiting and staffing company specializing in education and other skilled sectors, shows that teachers remain optimistic about their impact. Lesley Slaughter, Senior Vice President at Soliant, discusses the challenges of staffing and potential solutions offered by firms like hers to meet the needs of students and schools.

Reading is a fundamental skill that facilitates learning across standards, subjects, and grade levels. Yet, national statistics show that students are reading less and, generally speaking, below grade level. Kari Kurto is the National Science of Reading Project Director for the Reading League. Kari discusses a resource called Compass, which provides educators, administrators, policy makers, and others with resources on evidence-based practices that improve students’ reading skills. To learn more about Compass, visit the Reading League’s website: https://www.thereadingleague.org/compass/

This episode is part of a two-part series on the topic of scientifically supported reading instruction. Joe Burns is a regional product manager for Capstone, an educational technology and publishing company. Having taught early childhood grades, Joe discusses the importance of developmental skill development in reading as well as how Capstone augments phonics instruction with authentic texts. Joe also discusses topics raised in a recent article about the science of reading instruction in eSchool News. Connect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jrburns-710/ Read more from Joe about the science of reading here: https://tinyurl.com/tmjoeburns

In 2023, Deeper Learning Global (DLg) awarded the Ulster, New York, Board of Cooperative Educational Services (Ulster BOCES) with the “Deeper Learning” designation. Ulster Superintendent Dr. Jonah Schencker discusses this designation and how the district operationalizes deeper learning through its north star commitments of developing self, contributing to community, developing capacity, and engaging in continuous cycles of inquiry. Ulster will partner with DLg to host the DL Global New York conference in July of 2024. To learn more about Ulster BOCES, visit their website: https://www.ulsterboces.org/ To learn about the DL Global New York conference, visit: https://www.ulsterboces.org/educator-edge-home/educator-professional-development/for-school-district-leaders/dlny

Following the release of Chat-GPT and other Artificial Intelligence (AI) platforms, teachers and administrators at all levels of education have worked to react to both the possibilities and problems of AI. Carl Hooker is a former educator and now an author who analyzes the implications of AI for teaching and learning in his new book, Learning Evolution: The New Era of AI in the Classroom. Our discussion highlights practical advice as well as some of the ethical and social implications of AI. Learn more about Carl at his website: https://carlhooker.com/

Dr. Cynthia Wise has developed a career-long track record of turning low-performing schools into schools of distinction. Currently the Principal and Chief Academic Officer of the Transformation Waco Charter Schools in Waco, TX, Dr. Wise discusses the Culture Conscious Campus Model that she has developed as a proven model for school transformation. As she narrates her story, you will learn key takeaways about the importance of teacher-student relationships, leadership, and relentless pursuit of student academic success. Connect with Dr. Wise on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-cynthia-wise-a65a8546/

Sam Torres is a bilingual case manager for VocoVision, a company that provides teletherapy services for students across multiple specialties. Sam discusses specific strategies for promoting success for English Language Learners, the fastest growing student population in the U. S. Sam explains unique needs facing ELL students, including the intersection of speech disorders and language learning, as well as how teletherapy can provide a robust solution for schools. Connect with Sam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-torres-13bb9b2b4/ Learn more about VocoVision on their website: https://www.vocovision.com/

Theo Mayer is a self-proclaimed history nerd who is also passionate about the relevance of technology for learning. Working as the Chief Technologist for the Doughboy Foundation, Tayo and a team of developers created a mobile app that employs AR/VR concepts and narrative to help students in middle and high school grade levels learn about WWI. In addition to discussing the app and other resources provided by the foundation, Theo also provides some of his thoughts on how technology will continue to progress as a teaching and learning resources. For more on the Doughboy Foundation and their mobile app, visit: https://doughboy.org/ Connect with Theo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theomayer/

Faculty, staff, and students’ safety is of paramount concern for all educational systems. Although high-profile threats to safety capture national media attention, daily threats to safety such as altercations, vandalism, health incidents, and other issues must be part of a holistic safety strategy. Stacy Locke, Deputy Superintendent of Yakima (WA) Schools, discusses how personal safety buttons from CENTEGIX have been integrated into that district’s safety plan—a strategy that had payoff only 24-hours after implementation. Fair warning, during our interview Stacey received an alert that one of the elementary schools was placed on lockdown—thankfully, that lockdown was a drill, though it provided us with immediate insight on how the system promotes rapid communication and reaction.

In special education, as well as the larger teaching field, there exists significant needs for ongoing professional development where teachers can orient with affinity groups that provide support and feedback that extends beyond local school districts. Dr. Jen Newton, an Associate Professor in the Patton College of Education at Ohio University and co-creator of Teaching is Intellectual, discusses how Teachergram, a specific use of Instagram by teachers, is fulfilling that need. Newton and co-author Mira Cole Williams recently published an article on this topic in the Journal of Special Education Technology: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/01626434211033596 https://teachingisintellectual.com

Since the time of Sputnik, national education reform initiatives have made the case for integrating science, technology, engineering, and math into education at greater levels. Dr. Whitney Dove, CEO of Ellipsis Education, suggests that even greater attention should be given to computer science instruction. Dr. Dove discuses the need for holistic computer science curriculum as well as intentional professional development for computer science teachers. Learn more at: https://ellipsiseducation.com/

Randi Economu is a former educator and current CEO of Capstone, an educational technology and publishing company dedicated to equitable access to education. In this discussion, Randi narrates her journey from the classroom to being an industry leader and also explains her perspectives on the need for high quality educational resources to empower teaching and learning.