Rethinking Grading for a Future-Ready High School

How Adult Leadership Shapes Culture and Student Success

In this episode of Franklin UnlimitED, host Will Campbell speaks with Danny Bauer, founder of Better Leaders Better Schools, about the powerful role adult leadership plays in shaping school culture and student success. Drawing on his experience as a former teacher, principal, and leadership coach, Danny shares practical insights into what happens inside schools when adults feel supported, aligned, and purposeful — and what happens when they don’t. The conversation explores how stress, morale, and trust among adults directly influence the student experience, why sustainable leadership requires intentional focus, and how schools can retain their strongest educators. This episode offers a candid, grounded look at how small changes in leadership behavior can create lasting impacts for students. Follow Us * Facebook @franklinschooljc [https://www.facebook.com/franklinschooljc] * Instagram @franklinschooljc [https://www.instagram.com/franklinschooljc/] * LinkedIn @franklin-school [https://www.linkedin.com/company/franklin-school/] Presented by Franklin School www.FranklinJC.org [https://www.franklinjc.org/] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Making Learning Stick: Why Transdisciplinary Learning Matters in High School

In this episode of Franklin UnlimitED, host Will Campbell is joined by Dr. Jennifer Gillett, Assessment Design Lead and Senior Curriculum Manager at the International Baccalaureate, and Chris Barnes, Director of Curriculum and Assessment at Franklin School, for a deep conversation on why transdisciplinary learning matters in high school. They unpack the differences between interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary learning, exploring how connecting knowledge across subjects helps students retain learning, reduce cognitive overload, and engage more meaningfully with complex real-world problems. Drawing on classroom examples, research, and lived school experience, the conversation highlights why relevance, application, and collaboration are critical drivers of adolescent learning. The episode also examines how transdisciplinary approaches support rigor, assessment, and college readiness while fostering adaptability, ethical reasoning, and student agency. From curriculum design and scheduling to professional learning and school culture, Jenny and Chris share practical insights on how schools can move beyond isolated subjects toward learning that reflects how the world actually works. Follow Us * Facebook @franklinschooljc [https://www.facebook.com/franklinschooljc] * Instagram @franklinschooljc [https://www.instagram.com/franklinschooljc/] * LinkedIn @franklin-school [https://www.linkedin.com/company/franklin-school/] Presented by Franklin School www.FranklinJC.org [https://www.franklinjc.org/] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Rethinking Grading for a Future-Ready High School

In this episode of Franklin UnlimitED, host William Campbell speaks with Andreas Schleicher, Director for Education and Skills at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and architect behind the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). They explore the future of grading systems and what high schools should be measuring to prepare students for a rapidly changing world. From the importance of curiosity and purpose in learning to how artificial intelligence can support more meaningful assessment, this conversation challenges traditional metrics of student success. Andreas shares what global education systems are getting right, why co-designing assessments with students matters, and how grading can evolve to reflect real-world competencies like collaboration, creativity, and resilience. Follow Us * Facebook @franklinschooljc [https://www.facebook.com/franklinschooljc] * Instagram @franklinschooljc [https://www.instagram.com/franklinschooljc/] * LinkedIn @franklin-school [https://www.linkedin.com/company/franklin-school/] Presented by Franklin School www.FranklinJC.org [https://www.franklinjc.org/] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mentors Matter: Redefining Success for Today’s Teens

In this episode of Franklin UnlimitED, host William Campbell sits down with Henry Faber, co-founder of Oppidan Education, to talk about mentoring, confidence, and how today’s teens are navigating a high-pressure world. They discuss what sets mentoring apart from tutoring, how schools can collaborate with outside organizations without losing focus, and why building a student’s confidence and self-awareness is just as important as academic success. Henry shares how Oppidan began, how their mentors build meaningful relationships with students, and what he’s learned after working with more than 3,000 families across 100+ schools. The conversation also covers shifts in parent behavior, the growing relevance of executive functioning skills, and how AI is shaping the future of education. This episode is a straightforward look at what it really takes to support student growth in and beyond the classroom. Follow Us * Facebook @franklinschooljc [https://www.facebook.com/franklinschooljc] * Instagram @franklinschooljc [https://www.instagram.com/franklinschooljc/] * LinkedIn @franklin-school [https://www.linkedin.com/company/franklin-school/] Presented by Franklin School www.FranklinJC.org [https://www.franklinjc.org/] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How the Brain Learns to Read — and Relearns Itself

Reading is one of the most cognitively demanding skills a person can acquire, and for some students, the process is anything but automatic.  In this episode of Franklin UnlimitED, host Will Campbell is joined by Dr. Ken Pugh, President and Director of Research at Haskins Laboratories and cognitive neuroscientist affiliated with Yale University School of Medicine and the University of Connecticut. Dr. Pugh has spent decades studying how the brain develops reading skills and how targeted instruction can rewire the brain when learning differences like dyslexia get in the way. Dr. Pugh also discusses the future of neuro-guided instruction, real-time brain feedback, and the role of AI and neurofeedback in personalizing education. This episode is essential listening for educators, school leaders, and anyone interested in how scientific research can improve classroom practice and help every student access their full potential. Follow Us * Facebook @franklinschooljc [https://www.facebook.com/franklinschooljc] * Instagram @franklinschooljc [https://www.instagram.com/franklinschooljc/] * LinkedIn @franklin-school [https://www.linkedin.com/company/franklin-school/] Presented by Franklin School www.FranklinJC.org [https://www.franklinjc.org/] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.