Episodes
Wednesday Mar 04, 2015
Episode 48: Dr. Mark Wilson - iPrincipal
Wednesday Mar 04, 2015
Wednesday Mar 04, 2015
Today we are starting a new monthly segment called iPrincipal.
Check out his TED Talk
He is a teacher, coach, consultant, public speaker and now an author. His book will soon be available but you get a sneak peek into it by joining us for these monthly segments.
Connect with Mark on twitter @ MarkWilsonGA and his website http://www.markwilsoneducation.com/
Each segment will start with an “ i ” (next month is Innovate). Mark will talk and share stories about the principalship. He will provide suggestions for the school building leader in addressing the many demands of the position.
This should be an awesome opportunity for professional learning!
Enjoy!
You can also contact Mark at
Mark.wilson.ga@gmail.com or call him at 706-474-2454
Length 17:34
Tuesday Feb 10, 2015
Episode 46: Building Relationships with Hugh Kight
Tuesday Feb 10, 2015
Tuesday Feb 10, 2015
Hugh Kight is the principal of East Laurens Elementary School in Laurens County, Georgia.
Laurens is Hugh’s home. He grew up here, attended school, and eventually became a teacher and principal here.
Hugh is actually retired but “Un-retired” to be the principal of East Laurens.
Between his amazing energy and contagious smile he is someone who everyone should get to know. Just spend a few minutes with him and whatever troubles you will wilt away as you will see the silver linings, feel the sunshine, and want to smile…because you know that all will be good.
Mr. Kight is always looking for methods to recognize success. He connects with kids and, staff, and the community. He wants to find unique ways of saying … “Good Work! Keep it Up!”
Hence the Falcon Fun Zone!
A place where the teachers and staff can schedule to send kids who have demonstrated hard work, success, and achievement! A place where the kids earn time to play…(check out the pics of the many games and activities)! What an amazing idea!!!
Hugh also has his Coca-Cola Diner…It's not sponsored by the corporation…but it grew out of an idea for having a room to celebrate and connect with others. Hugh is known for his cooking skills…just ask anyone about the chicken dinners!
In this room he often feeds staff, students, families, and community members. The walls have the school’s test scores and other data to show their gains and successes. Feels like you are visiting family…
Hugh likes to visit garage sales and flea markets…this is what led to his decorations for the room…Check out some of the really cool Coke artifacts!!!
I challenge you to think about the ways that Hugh has created to celebrate, connect, and build relationships and develop your own. It will inspire your kids to do well. It will help your staff feel valued and it will help you connect with the parents and community.
Enjoy!
Length: 37:26
Monday Feb 02, 2015
Episode 45: Laura Robb-Vocabulary is Comprehension
Monday Feb 02, 2015
Monday Feb 02, 2015
Today I am talking with Laura Robb. She is a teacher, speaker, author, and coach.
She has taught for over 43 years and continues to teach each year in middle grades classrooms.
She has published 18 books primarily focused on reading, writing, and comprehension.
You will often find her speaking across the country and working with classroom teachers to learn how to address the needs of kids in reading, writing and text comprehension.
Laura is concerned about teachers who are “stressed out” with attempts to measure classroom success by using standardized, high stakes tests. The money and time that is spent on these tests could be better spent on training teachers to use better instructional practices.
Laura says, “One of the joys of teaching is that every child is unique.”
Our talk is primarily focused on one of her most recent works, “Vocabulary is Comprehension: Getting to the Root of Text Complexity”.
This work is filled with understandable lessons on how to connect vocabulary building and development with complex text comprehension.
Any teacher could easily take this book read sections and immediately begin to use its lessons in her plans for the week.
Some instructional works are cumbersome with their own language and information. The teacher would need a translator first before even getting close to thinking about using the information…not this book! It is easy to understand and use!
Take a look at her Big 10 and then turn to any of the lessons associated with them and you will be able to start making a difference in a child’s understanding of the text and content.
I strongly encourage you to take this information to heart and to use her book to help change your lessons to help the kids “get it!”
By the way…also, check out her foundation. She and her son are focused on getting books into the hands of children with none.
Enjoy!!!
www.teacher.scholastic.com/products/classroombooks/laurarobb
www.facebook.com/laura.robb.372
Length: 1:00:19
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