Student Engagement, Alignment, and Helping Students See Their Learning Journey

Agricultural Education: The Next Generation of Farming

Click here to share encouragement, questions and feedback [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2526074/fan_mail/new] Questions or follow up, reach out to our guest, Ms. Smith angayla.smith23@rcschools.net. Resources:  https://www.ffa.org/ [https://www.ffa.org/] Global Connections of the FFA While rooted in the United States, the National FFA Organization actively connects students to a global network of agriculture, trade, and technology. This episode explores how FFA bridges the gap between local chapters and worldwide impact through three main pillars: Global Corporate Partnerships: FFA collaborates with multinational giants like Cargill, PepsiCo, General Mills, and Corteva to introduce students to global food supply chains, international trade, and sustainable commercial agriculture. International Travel & Exchange: Through programs like the International Leadership Seminar for State Officers (ILSSO), student leaders travel to countries across Europe to study foreign farming techniques and international agricultural policy firsthand. Space & STEM Innovation: FFA partners with global scientific initiatives, including the Plant the Moon Challenge (in collaboration with NASA) and Invention Convention Worldwide, to engage students in solving global sustainability and food security challenges. Fun Fact/Clarification: Don't confuse the student agriculture group with the other FFA! There is also the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), an intergovernmental body connected to the United Nations that manages regional deep-sea fisheries. #jackeduppodcast #newpodcast #education #knowledgeispower  #global #professionaldevelopment

Student Engagement, Alignment, and Helping Students See Their Learning Journey

Click here to share encouragement, questions and feedback [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2526074/fan_mail/new] Jackie and Ed reconnect with a colleague who’s shaped their work from stateside consulting to an unforgettable DoDEA experience in Germany. Together, they dive into one of the hottest topics in education right now—Student Engagement, especially as teachers everywhere are trying to keep students’ heads up, connected, and invested in learning. With 35+ years of experience, Dr. Cortez brings powerful stories and a clear mission: making learning visible so students understand their journey, their growth, and why it all matters. He also shares practical, tomorrow‑ready strategies for teachers and leaders—real moves, not dog‑and‑pony‑show tricks—that strengthen alignment, deepen motivation, and build authentic student buy‑in. A grounded, energizing conversation for educators who want engagement that lasts, not entertainment that fades. Dr. Ruben Cortez Contact Information and Consulting Requests rubenfcortez@gmail.com [rubenfcortez@gmail.com] https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruben-cortez-47944a13b/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruben-cortez-47944a13b/] An article on using the KMO for organizational change https://designingschools.org/innovation-gap-analysis-using-the-kmo-method-to-move-from-current-to-desired-outcomes-in-schools/-- [https://designingschools.org/innovation-gap-analysis-using-the-kmo-method-to-move-from-current-to-desired-outcomes-in-schools/--] Learning Targets: Helping Students Aim for Understanding in Today's Lesson https://files.ascd.org/pdfs/onlinelearning/webinars/webinar-handout2-7-17-2012.pdf #jackeduppodcast #newpodcast #education #knowledgeispower  #global #professionaldevelopment

"Human First: Why SEL is the Foundation Every Student Deserves"

Click here to share encouragement, questions and feedback [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2526074/fan_mail/new] Molly Nilssen is a proud Milwaukee native who attended Milwaukee Public Schools from K4 through 12th grade. She went on to earn her degree from the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin–Madison before beginning her career teaching kindergarten and later first grade. After teaching in three different schools, Molly found her home at the Milwaukee College Prep campus on 38th Street, serving predominantly minority learners. Over her career, she has taught every grade in elementary and middle school and nearly every subject, giving her a rare, full-spectrum understanding of how children grow, learn, and struggle across developmental stages. For the past four years, Molly has taught Wellness, a subject that blends self‑regulation, brain science, hygiene, puberty and development, sex education, core values, boundaries, social justice, mindfulness, and more. Her work sits at the intersection of academic learning and human development. The realities of Milwaukee deeply shape Molly’s commitment to SEL, one of the most racially segregated cities in the country, and a community grappling with high rates of violence and the disproportionate incarceration of Black males. These systemic conditions show up in classrooms long before they show up in statistics. Molly sees firsthand how chronic stress, community instability, and generational inequities impact students’ nervous systems, attention, behavior, and sense of safety. Her message is clear: SEL is not optional in a city like Milwaukee. It is a protective factor, an academic accelerator, and an equity imperative. With 17 years of experience spanning major shifts in technology, AI, and post‑pandemic learning, Molly brings a powerful, urgent perspective on what today’s students truly need to thrive and survive, not just academically, but as whole human beings. School Website: https://www.milwaukeecollegeprep.com/38th-street [https://www.milwaukeecollegeprep.com/38th-street] Resources: Videos A Tour of the Brain (for kids)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6vqSehMYQQ&t=87s [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6vqSehMYQQ&t=87s] Brain Basics for Kids (and also adults!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eD1wliuHxHI [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eD1wliuHxHI] What is my Lizard Brain? (Self-regulation lesson) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLaBYt3AHVI&t=19s [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLaBYt3AHVI&t=19s] Neurons and Synapses https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0rHZ_RDdyQ [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0rHZ_RDdyQ] Zones of Regulation Curriculum Website https://zonesofregulation.com/ [https://zonesofregulation.com/] Articles: Power Of Brain Breaks https://www.edutopia.org/video/the-mysterious-power-of-brain-breaks [https://www.edutopia.org/video/the-mysterious-power-of-brain-breaks] Projects, Purpose, and the Teenage Mind https://www.edutopia.org/article/projects-purpose-and-the-teenage-mind [https://www.edutopia.org/article/projects-purpose-and-the-teenage-mind] Survive and Thrive During Testing Season https://www.edutopia.org/blog/survive-thrive-during-testing-season-lori-desautels [https://www.edutopia.org/blog/survive-thrive-during-testing-season-lori-desautels] Intentionally Slowing Down to Ensure Students Learn Material Deeply https://www.edutopia.org/article/slower-instruction-deeper-learning [https://www.edutopia.org/article/slower-instruction-deeper-learning] #jackeduppodcast #newpodcast #education #knowledgeispower  #global #professionaldevelopment

From Compliance to Compassion: Building the Student Ecosystem

Click here to share encouragement, questions and feedback [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2526074/fan_mail/new] Episode with Dr. Kimberly Honnick - A transformational education leader with 30+ years of experience shares her groundbreaking approach to turning around failing urban schools. Dr. Honnick discusses: * Moving beyond the outdated 1890s industrial education model * Building student and staff belonging as the foundation for school success * Practical strategies, including eliminating departmental silos, creating grade-level teams, and implementing advisory periods * How transformation doesn't require additional funding—just a mindset shift * Real stories of empowering students and creating environments where everyone wants to be present Biography:Dr. Kimberly Honnick is a Senior Education Consultant, Leadership Coach, and Speaker, and the Founder of Bo Knowz Learning, LLC. With more than 30 years of experience across K–12 public school systems, Head Start programs, and higher education, she partners with education organizations to strengthen leadership, culture, and professional learning. Her work focuses on Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), leadership development, and people-centered systems change. Dr. Honnick is the author of The Heartbeat Educator and a nationally recognized leader in education. https://docs.google.com/document/d/14tfB9Of89sW87m9sgY0qkks3T5U9IxNY38M96TSn0Vw/edit?usp=sharing [https://docs.google.com/document/d/14tfB9Of89sW87m9sgY0qkks3T5U9IxNY38M96TSn0Vw/edit?usp=sharing] Interested in more? Reach out to Dr. Kim Honnick: LinkedIn:  Dr. Kimberly Honnick Kimberly Honnick and Bo Knowz Learning www.boknowzlearning.com  Community:  https://www.skool.com/bo-knowz-learning-7950/about #jackeduppodcast #newpodcast #education #knowledgeispower  #global #professionaldevelopment

Helping Educators address the “Discipline Gap” with an actionable approach

Click here to share encouragement, questions and feedback [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2526074/fan_mail/new] In this episode, Dr. Burkhalter explains her focus on the discipline gap and its importance in education. * Details *  Explains that her doctorate focused on discipline systems, which she found were closing rather than opening doors for students *  Noted that college doesn't prepare educators for discipline challenges, focusing instead on instructional piece.  * Dr. Felicia: Shares how she "failed forward" as a teacher and wanted to support other teachers who were becoming discouraged Multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) * Details *  Tier 1 as universal supports that all students receive *  Tier 2 involves small groups and targeted interventions * Tier 3 provides intensive support like functional behavioral assessments * Details * Traditional discipline involves dictating behavior to student * A strong connection to 'Choice Theory" and putting "the ball in the court of the learner".  Students are looking for guardrails but also wanting ownership with concern to their behavior.  * Practical implementation steps * Practical implementation Steps *  Start with student focus groups to learn what they need and what their triggers are * Involve parents in solution development * Listen to staff to determine what they need and will support.   *  Analyze data together and having real conversations about what's not working...modify as necessary. Multiple discipline approaches Check out the linked resources below to learn more about the specific approaches discussed.   * Trauma-Informed-Decision Making  [https://www.schoolmentalhealth.org/media/som/microsites/ncsmh/documents/archives/CS-6.04_Ensuring-Classroom-Management-Practices-Are-Trauma-Informed.pdf] * Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports [https://www.pbis.org/] * Responsibility-Centered-Discipline [https://www.givemfive.com/] Contact Info: Dr. Felicia Burkhalter Email: feliciaburkhalter1913@gmail.com http://linkedin.com/in/dr-felicia-burkhalter-674b8817 [http://linkedin.com/in/dr-felicia-burkhalter-674b8817]  #jackeduppodcast #newpodcast #education #knowledgeispower  #global #professionaldevelopment