The Principal's Desk Podcast

Episode #14 - The Outlier Study

In this episode, we sit down with Erich Bolz, Vice President of Research and District Engagement for The Center of Educational Effectiveness. Looking for ways to bolster: +   Attendance +   Progress for English learners +  English-language arts performance +   Mathematics performance +   Readiness for high school + High school course rigor (obtaining college credits) + Graduation rates The CEE identified schools that have successfully removed barriers and created the conditions that amplified the existing strengths of Black, Latino/a, American Indian/Alaska Native, and students experiencing poverty. Let's learn how ...

Episode #13 - Embracing A.I. to Empower Educational Excellence

AI is here to stay. Educators have the opportunity to either embrace this new frontier or to be fearful of it. In this episode, Dr. Sarah Levy discusses how to have conversations around AI in schools as well as how its use can help to create a culture of inquiry and experimentation. Contact Sarah here - SarahRubinsonCC.com [SarahRubinsonCC.com] Here are a couple of blogs for follow up reading: Assessment in the World of AI [https://www.sarahrubinsoncc.com/post/assessment-in-the-world-of-ai] Getting Started with AI in Your Organization [https://www.sarahrubinsoncc.com/post/getting-started-with-ai-in-your-organization] Putting the AI into Your Educational Philosophy [https://www.sarahrubinsoncc.com/post/putting-the-ai-into-your-educational-philosophy] Dr. Sarah Rubinson Levy has been involved in education since 2001 – working, teaching, consulting, and writing in the areas of supplemental, day school, adult, and experiential education. She holds an undergraduate degree in business and sociology and holds a Master of Jewish Education degree from Hebrew College, a doctorate in education from Northeastern University, and certificates in Advanced Jewish Studies, Day School Education, and Jewish Educational Leadership. Her areas of focus include progressive/student-centered education, integration of artificial intelligence into education, and teacher professional development and support. She considers herself a scholar-practitioner, drawing from research and data to create effective and joyful learning environments. Most recently, she was a founding head of school for Einstein Academy, a progressive private school in Denver, CO. She currently empowers excellence in education through her work with Sarah Rubinson Consulting and Contracting with an approach that integrates empathy and curiosity, working with each organization in a way that is both realistic and aspirational. She is a proud Colorado native and currently lives in Denver, CO with her four kids, dog, beta fish, and leopard gecko.

Episode #12 - Executive Functions and Learning

In this episode, we learn about the importance of teaching executive functions and learning to address the varied needs of students who often get identified as lazy, unmotivated, or defiant, when in reality, they simply don't know how to do what we expect them to do. Candace Heiken, M.Ed. combined her background in education and psychology with her passion for empowering students and founded Lively Minds Institute, an organization with a mission to cultivate independent, lifelong learners through the development of executive function skills.  Lively Minds developed Cerebrate, an executive function solution that provides educators with a simple way to identify deficiencies based on observable classroom behaviors and then access lessons to teach the strategies needed. Candace leads a team of talented educators who utilize Cerebrate to advance their mission with school administrators, teachers, parents, and students across the country.  With over 25 years in education, Candace is driven to affect lasting and impactful change by helping students see what they can achieve when they have the executive function skills necessary for learning success. Candace can be reached via email at  candace@cerebrate.education [candace@cerebrate.education] Visit Cerebrate and The Lively Minds Institute online at www.cerebrate.education [http://www.cerebrate.education/] and www.livelymindsinstitute.com [http://www.livelymindsinstitute.com/].

Episode #11 - Hiding in Plain Sight: Understanding Gifted and Talented Students

This week, we sit down with Mrs. Brianne Hudak, M. Ed., a sixteen-year veteran of education serving in public, private, and charter schools. She is a passionate advocate for the gifted, a certified gifted and talented educator, and supports gifted education through her professional memberships in the National Association of Gifted Children (NAGC), the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children (WCGTC), the North Carolina Association of the Gifted and Talented (NCAGT), and the Social-Emotional Needs of the Gifted (SENG) serving as a state liaison. In this episode, Brianne will walk us through how to define the term gifted and talented and how to accurately identify these learners. Then, she will go deeper and discuss how to unlock their genius by identifying twice-exceptional students and combating underachievement. Finally, she will guide us in using appropriate skills, tools, and resources to help gifted individuals reach their full potential. Resources: Websites: * The National Association of Gifted Children (NAGC)- plethora of content, books, articles, resources, links and publications on gifted learners and gifted education  * Social-Emotional Needs of the Gifted (SENG)- variety of materials focused on gifted individuals' social-emotional learning and development * Hoagies' Gifted Education Page- educational resources, support, and links for both educators and families * The Davidson Institute- shares scholarships, resources, and offers an insightful gifted community * State and local gifted associations/organizations * Dr. Joseph Renzulli- The Three-Ring Conception of Giftedness (Explains how giftedness is developed) * Dr. Sally Reis- The Schoolwide Enrichment Model (Explains how to set up effective learning environments and programming for the gifted and talented) * Dr. Joyce Van Tassel-Baska provides content, curriculum, and best practices for gifted learners Gifted Research:Easy-Read Book: * Genius Denied: How to Stop Wasting Our Brightest Young Minds by Jan and Bob Davidson Professional Development: Mrs. Brianne Hudak, M. Ed.- Certified Educational Consultant and passionate advocate for the gifted and talented; www.helpmehudak.com [http://www.helpmehudak.com/]

Episode #10 - Making The Intangible, Tangible

In this episode, Brian Miller, principal, writer, speaker, and podcaster, talks about renewing our educational vows in order to do great things. As educators, there are times that we all need to remember why we chose this profession, what is truly important, and how to be and additive to the education experience of our students and the work environment of our collegues. Your can learn more about Brian Miller by visiting his website here: http://millerbrian.com [http://millerbrian.com/]