School Through the Eyes of a Six-Year-Old

Sprinkling the Stardust

So this episode is a little different. I attended the National Conference on Education in New Orleans this spring and knew it would provide a great opportunity to hear from the diverse array of superintendent from across the country. I asked them all the same question: "What great things are happening in your school district?" I wanted to sprinkle the stardust around. The variety of responses was truly inspiring. There are interesting, innovative, and wonderful things happening in public schools from around the country. I hope you enjoy listening to these brief annecdotes as much as I did.

Career and Technical Education

If you like what you hear today, sign up for my Substack newsletter. [https://superstorypod.substack.com/] If you have a story worth sharing, email me [superstorypod@gmail.com] superstorypod@gmail.com [superstorypod@gmail.com] I visited several schools in Finland in 2015 as part of a school trip. There were a few things that really struck me. One was the fact that becoming a teacher in Finland was as competitive as becoming a doctor. Another was that students were in control of which teachers they had—they literally got to choose their teachers. And finally, I was impressed with the equal value and prestige placed on both the academic and vocational tracks. Something like 40% of students choose a vocational route and there was no stigma attached to it. For years in our society, a technical education has been viewed as less valuable than a college education. I will admit that there was even stigma attached within our own school system for those going to the tech school. For years we never even filled our seats that were allocated to us at our regional tech center. I'm proud to say that now our student interest outstrips our available seats. That stigma is fading, especially since the pandemic. Suddenly there was a shortage of plumbers, electricians, landscapers, and builders, and people realized how valuable those things are. Labor costs have soared. Many tradespeople are making more money than white color workers. The tide is shifting, and the question is whether we can keep up. All jobs in our economy and society play a role that help make the whole system work--they're all valuable. My guest today is Bobby Deetjen, the director of the Mid-Coast School of Technology, which is the regional tech center that serves numerous school systems in midcoast Maine.

Teachers, Turnover, and Tenants

If you like what you hear today, sign up for my Substack newsletter. [https://superstorypod.substack.com/] If you have a story worth sharing, email me superstorypod@gmail.com [superstorypod@gmail.com] A few years ago, we hired a teacher from Texas, who struggled for months to find housing in Camden or Rockport, Maine. Despite two house hunting trips she found nothing. With her Texas home sold, she temporarily moved to Minnesota to stay with her father, while continuing her search. In mid-July, she arrived in Maine with her family and all her belongings, but still didn't have a home. By early August, she was still empty-handed and was on the verge of declining the position. At the 11th hour, we located a rental property owned by a student's parent narrowly averting a crisis. This story echoes across the nation. Teacher housing for new hires has become a critical issue in many communities. Today I'm joined by two superintendents from diverse regions to discuss this challenge. Brent Jayco from Pecos-Barstow-Toyah Independent School District in Texas and Debbie Jones from Bentonville Schools in Arkansas. This is the first episode that we are recording using Zoom. All prior episodes have been recorded from the comfort of my office, so hopefully the sound quality won't be significantly compromised

Cracking The College Code

If you like what you hear today, sign up for my Substack newsletter. [https://superstorypod.substack.com/] If you have a story worth sharing, email me superstorypod@gmail.com [superstorypod@gmail.com] Today's guest is a woman in high demand this time of year. Clare Galloway is a college consultant who works with students mainly from the New England and New York area. She was an assistant dean of admissions at Colgate for two years, and then in the same position at Bates College for two more years, before becoming the Director of Overseas Admissions for the University of Saint Andrews in Scotland, where she served for eight years. Eventually she went into private practice, where she has been for the past twenty years. Clare helps countless high school seniors thoughtfully prepare college applications, diminish the many myths that swirl around in the heads of anxious families, and she helps to bring out students authentic self. She has great insight into the application process, financial aid, and in helping students find a college where they will thrive.

School Through the Eyes of a Six-Year-Old

My guest today is Camillo who is coming up on the end of first grade. I first met Camillo when I was visiting the elementary school last fall. He was friendly, outgoing, and dare I say dapper. A few months later he starred as the host in a video created for the school board to understand the elementary school schedule. Not long after that I was sitting at a high top in a local coffee shop one weekend when he came right up to me with a formal greeting. Again I had a great conversation with him. He is bright, charming and outgoing enough that I was convinced he would help us all see school through the eyes of a six-year-old.