Episodes
Thursday Jan 15, 2015
Episode 43: Learning in the Fast Lane with Suzy Pepper Rollins
Thursday Jan 15, 2015
Thursday Jan 15, 2015
Suzy is a math and literacy consultant.
She is mostly known by math teachers for her awesome course called Math in the Fast Lane.
She also was my first guest to be interviewed so check out Episode 2: Math in the Fast Lane with Suzy Pepper Rollins.
Suzy is now a published author and wow did she do it right!
Her book, Learning in the Fast Lane: 8 Ways to Put All Students on the Road to Academic Success is an ASCD hit!
Her 8 ways are …
1. Acceleration: Jump Starting Students Who Are Behind
2. Standards Walls: Transforming Standards into Clear Learning Goals
3. Success Starters: Sparking Student Success Right Away
4. Formative Assessment and Feedback: Checking Student Understanding Minute by Minute
5. Vocabulary Development: Implementing a Strategic Plan
6. Student Work Sessions: Giving Students Greater Responsibility With Valuable Work
7. Student Motivation: Creating Engaging Tasks and a Positive Learning Environment
8. Scaffolding: Providing What’s Missing Just in Time
Her last chapter … 9 is titled Why Are Some Students Still Failing, and What Can We Do About It?
We talk about her path to being a published author and then get into some of the specific details of the book.
Her book is right on the money for being a treasure chest of tools that can be put to use immediately in a classroom. It doesn't require a lengthy book study, on-line course or 1000's of dollars. She cuts through the education jargon and makes it easy to understand what the research says that we should be doing!
There is so much to learn from Suzy and her book!
One caution… If you read this book you will be excited about seeing the change in your students’ success!
You can contact Suzy at
or
(404)399-6760
Enjoy!
Additional Links:
Length 53:05
Thursday Dec 18, 2014
Episode 41: The Georgia Vision Project with Dr. Stan DeJarnett
Thursday Dec 18, 2014
Thursday Dec 18, 2014
Dr. Stanley DeJarnett is the Executive Director of the Georgia Vision Project
The project came into existence in 2009, but implementation didn't begin until 2010.
It is…
“… A collaborative effort between the Georgia School Boards’ Association, The Georgia School Superintendent’s Association and about 35 partner organizations…”
“The Georgia Vision Project exists for the purpose of transforming public education in Georgia.”
Dr. DeJarnett and I talk about what the Vision Project is and how it works.
For example, Stan notes, “It is about sharing a clear and compelling vision of where public schools are going.”
He comments that there really are two target audiences:
1) Teachers and School Administrators
2) Parents
Stan reflects, “The story that our teachers have to tell about the lives that they change through their interaction with students is the story we want our community to hear.”
He continues, “We make a huge difference in the lives of over 1.7 million children in this state every day and this work is being done by teachers and those who support teachers.”“We hope that the reality of what we do in our schools every day…a positive reality…can be reflected in our message.”
The Georgia Vision Project has 7 Components:
1. Early Learning and Student Success
2. Teaching and Learning
3. Teaching and Learning Resources
4. Human and Organizational Capital
5. Governance, Leadership, and Accountability
6. Culture, Climate, and Organizational Efficacy
7. Financial Resources
Check out several short videos to learn more at the Vision Project website.
Here is the link to the homepage...Georgia Vision Project
Enjoy!
Length 44:35
Wednesday Dec 10, 2014
Episode 40: Forestry with Mike Harrell
Wednesday Dec 10, 2014
Wednesday Dec 10, 2014
Forestry is an age old profession that should be attractive to people who have a knack for business (managing resources, purchasing, marketing, selling, accounting, and running a money making operation) and like to be surrounded by nature.
You may get dirty, be surrounded by some amazing machinery and even have a few run-ins with the wildlife that calls the trees and the brush their home.
Mike is the VP of Stuckey Timberland. His world is the forest. He is a graduate of the University of Georgia’s Forestry program. Forestry is a life career that is in his family lineage.
You will hear Mike reflect on his career and his desire to be in the outdoors. He talks about the business and the misconceptions that those looking in often have about the business of growing trees for wood products.
I think that you will find this interview interesting as well as it might make you a little envious about Mike’s ability to be outside many of his work days.
If you know a young person who is thinking about future careers, ask them to take a look into forestry. It has a definite place in our future world, trained foresters are needed, and the profession offers opportunities to be engaged outside of a typical corporate office!
Here are some links that can provide you further information:
Sustainable Forestry Initiative
University of Georgia: Forestry
ABAC Forestry (Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College-Forestry)
Enjoy!
Length: 50:21
Monday Nov 24, 2014
Episode 39: Financial Wisdom with Danny Kofke
Monday Nov 24, 2014
Monday Nov 24, 2014
Danny Kofke is a self-made millionaire. He started out as a kindergarten teacher, became a special education teacher and is married to a 2nd grade teacher. He and his wife took international teaching positions originally and actually taught in Poland, for a while.
He now teaches teachers how to manage money.
He is an author of three books: How to Survive (and Perhaps Thrive) on a Teacher’s Salary, A Simple Book of Financial Wisdom: Teach Yourself (and your kids) How to Live Wealthy with Little Money, and A Bright Financial Future: Teaching Kids about Money Pre-K through College for Lifelong Success! (Click here to go to his page on Amazon.com)
He has a 10 year old daughter who also is a published author!
She wrote…The Financial Angel: What all Kids Should Know About Money (ages 4-11)
This is a podcast for everyone…especially those with kids!
Great advice!
Information that we all needed when we were kids…now you can share with your children and with the kids of others.
I hope you will share this interview with your children, grandchildren, neighbors, and colleagues!
Catch up with Danny at http://dannykofke.blogspot.com/
Also, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SimpleFinancialWisdom
Contact Danny at kofketd@windstream.net
Enjoy!
Length: 40:04
Thursday Nov 13, 2014
Episode 38: Protecting the Performing Arts
Thursday Nov 13, 2014
Thursday Nov 13, 2014
Over the last 10 years, the performing arts have often been pushed to the side in the name of needing more math and science or simply cut to balance budgets.
It is unfortunate.
Students desire to study and perform in the arts often in addition to studying math and science or other academic content areas.
The Georgia Institute of Technology has one of the largest marching bands in all of the colleges and universities…and there are no music majors at GATech. Hmmm ... even future engineers like the arts...
In order to protect the arts in schools it takes commitment and a willingness to make cuts in other areas, instead of in these classes. It takes becoming good at creative scheduling and looking closely at what the students want over the classes they could do without.
What could you do to help protect the arts in your schools?
Length: 33:37