Teaching Learning Leading K-12

Episode 21: Allen Fort -Talking about Rural School Systems and other Education Topics in Georgia

Allen is currently the superintendent of schools in Quitman County, Georgia. He has 39 years of total education experience. He was a teacher, a coach, an assistant principal, a principal, and worked for five years as a GA Department of Education School Improvement and Redesign Specialist.

He feels that he is very fortunate for his opportunities to travel across the state and get to know educators in many different regions of Georgia.

Allen is familiar with the needs of the rural school systems. He has created a rural school system learning group that is comprised of educators from rural systems. He sees this group as providing an opportunity for the different systems to learn from each other on how best to use their limited resources.

As a principal he instituted one of the first ninth grade academies in the state. We talk about his thoughts and lessons learned.

We also talk a little about the challenge of teachers working with kids who have access to incredible amounts of information through Google and other web based solutions. We talk about how when we were kids the teachers had the information or it was in books that they could direct us to, whereas today, the kids can study beforehand and actually know more than the teacher about some topics. This becomes a challenge in that the teacher is often trying to keep up with the kids, but another challenge is that all kids don’t have access. It is quite possible that in the same class there will be those who can and those who can’t access web based information.

I enjoyed talking with Allen and I think that you will enjoy your time listening!

You can find out more information about Allen at www.allenfortga.com

Length 33:27

Episode 20: Classworks with Kristie Brooks

Kristie is a former special education teacher who eventually became a Special Education Director for a school system. She now is a Georgia Account Executive for Classworks.

Classworks is a web-based tool for assisting students in achieving more during their education. It has tools for assessment and instruction that are used to personalize learning and to support teachers as they help students achieve academic goals.

Kristie and I explore the following questions and many more…

·         How can software programs go beyond the “computer lab” to impact classroom teaching and student engagement?

·         How does Classworks use student data to form individualized plans? How can a teacher use this tool to help with differentiation?

·         What do you think is the greatest challenge for teachers working with kids? How can Classworks assist with these challenges?

Hope that you enjoy the conversation. 

Spend some time at their website or contact Kristie if you have any questions.

For more information go to…

www.classworks.com

or contact Kristie at

KBrooks@classworks.com

Length 26:32

Episode 19: Dr. Tim Elmore and Growing Leaders

Dr. Tim Elmore is the founder and the president of the non-profit organization, Growing Leaders.

Tim worked with Dr. John Maxwell who has spent many years teaching leadership skills to adults. Out of this experience of working with Dr. Maxwell grew "the desire to teach basic life skills and leadership skills to kids while they are still in school." Hence, the vision for Growing Leaders was born.

Tim and I discuss his ideas about changing the school house. He talks about Marching off the Map or being willing to do school differently.

He explains, "Our current school systems were designed for a past era..." and our teachers feel like "more is added to their workload every year." He notes that as a result many schools are in "maintenance or survival mode" where the teachers and administrators are "not willing to live on the edge." Tim creates a brilliant image of the difference between pioneers and settlers. The settlers are comfortable with being in one place, whereas the pioneer has to explore.

Tim states that we need to be EPIC in our classrooms and schools...

Experiential

Participatory

Image Rich

Connected

He also explains the thought that..."Kids Google." Tim notes, "They don't need us for information, they need us for interpretation." 

Finally, Tim discusses the purpose of Growing Leaders and how it partners with schools and other organizations that serve children.

Tim was amazing to talk to! 

He is energetic and insightful! 

He has so many ideas that hit home. 

Enjoy!

You can find out more about Dr. Tim Elmore and Growing Leaders at www.growingleaders.com. 

Best wishes!

Length 31:07

Episode 18: Nelson Lauver, Author of Most Unlikely to Succeed: The Trials, Travels, and Ultimate Triumphs of a “Throwaway” Kid

Nelson Lauver learned at the age of 29 that he was dyslexic.

Unfortunately, throughout his school experience no one knew this. As he struggled in school, he had to face a choice…be the dumb kid or be the bad kid. He chose to be the bad kid.

As he progressed through each grade what was really happening was that they were promoting him to get him out of their classes and eventually out of the school. He graduated 104th out 104 students.

Nelson and I talk about his experiences as a kid and as a young man trying to hold down a job.

Nelson has the following statement on his website: “A better world starts with the courage to believe you have something to contribute.” He has an amazing story and explanation surrounding this wonderful thought! As you listen to him, you will say, “You know…I think that he is talking to me…that he is telling me that I could contribute to this world…”

His memoir will touch your heart and make you wish that you could have been there to help him.

In response to this…He says that he can only move forward and take these experiences and use them for good.

My favorite part of our talk is when he starts talking about…Don’t give up on that kid!

After you listen to his story, I hope that you will take time to check out his website and look at his foundation and the work that he is doing to help promote literacy.

Also, listen to his wonderful talks under the link “audio stories.” You will not be disappointed.

His memoir is the winner of three book awards….

Gold Medal: Book of the Year, Independent Publisher Association 2011

Gold Medal: Inspirational Category Winner, INDIE Book Awards 2011

Silver Medal: Memoir Category INDIE Book Awards 2011

Find out more information about Nelson at his website…

www.americanstoryteller.com

You can order his memoir at Amazon. Click on the title to go to that page. Most Unlikely to Succeed

Length 47:06

Episode 17: The ACT with Carl Forbes

Carl has been working at The ACT now for the last eight years and is assigned to both secondary and post-secondary schools.

He helps secondary schools understand what their data is telling them and how to respond.

With post-secondary schools he assists them in looking at the student data with a focus on what admissions and scholarship decisions could be made from that data.

We discuss everything from understanding about the organization known as ACT, what the organization offers besides the college entrance test, what the ACT test scores mean, and what the fundamental differences are between the ACT and the SAT.

Carl states, “The ACT is focused on college and career readiness but also work preparedness.”

He explains the ACT standards and benchmarks and what they mean to an educator, parent, and a student taking the test. As Carl recalls, These components help “you understand what the scores on the ACT tell you about what you are ready to do.”

He also shared that there are ACT apps that students can use with their Smart phones and tablets.

We had an awesome conversation!

I think that you will learn so much whether a teacher, administrator, student, or parent you will want to listen again and then share this podcast with others. You will also want to take time to explore the ACT on the web.

www.act.org

www.actstudent.org

Also look for them on Twitter and Facebook.

Enjoy!

Length: 30:33