Ever felt overwhelmed juggling your calendar, emails, budgets, and data collection as an educational leader? Have you ever wished for a simple, effective way to communicate with your stakeholders? Welcome to another episode of the Compass PD podcast, where Dr. Hepburn shares personal experiences and proven strategies to help you navigate these challenges. Brace yourself as the podcast starts with a deep dive into calendar management. Dr. Hepburn shares her experiences and tips on prioritizi...
What if we told you that the simple act of establishing routines could revolutionize learning in your classroom? This is indeed our focus this week, where we continue our enlightening conversation with Dr. Natalie Fallert. Dr. Fallert, who is back for a second week, will be digging deep into the crucial role of routines in crafting an effective learning environment. We kick things off by dissecting the importance of having solid classroom routines. You won't want to miss Dr. Fallert's ...
Ready to set the tone for a successful school year? Join Compass PD's Dr. Carrie Hepburn as she talks with esteemed educator Dr. Natalie Fallert about things to be on a teacher's radar and predictable problems they will face at the beginning of the school year. This episode will arm teachers with the tools to navigate their teaching journey, striking a balance between teaching style, district expectations, and the evolving requirements of students. Remember planning a road trip before GPS? T...
Are you ready to conquer the school year like a seasoned pro? With expert insights from the esteemed Dr. Bridgett Niedringhaus, we offer a roadmap to help administrators navigate the complexities of the academic year ahead. In this episode, we demystify the art of effective mentor-mentee pairings, underscore the crucial role of time for staff collaboration, and explore the process of revisiting your institution's mission, vision, values, and goals. Our conversation is a treasure trove of prac...
In a "behind the scenes" episode of the Compass PD Podcast, education experts Dr. Natalie Fallert and Dr. Carrie Hepburn delve into the nationwide trends they observed during the 2021-2022 school year. They shed light on pressing concerns surrounding student engagement and motivation, highlighting the challenges faced by educators in keeping students actively involved in their learning journey. Furthermore, the discussion explores the ever-present issue of students reading below grade level a...
Tune in to the Compass PD podcast as Dr. Carrie Hepburn converses with Julie West, a seasoned expert in supporting new teachers. In this episode, Julie shares invaluable tips for new educators on finding balance in their demanding schedules, emphasizing the importance of setting aside dedicated reflection time. Recognizing the significance of building relationships, Julie highlights the transformative power of strong connections with students, colleagues, and mentors. With her genuine passion...
Dr. Hepburn shares the purpose of a curriculum and professional development cycles and the steps to consider when developing them for a district. Listen to learn how to develop a strategic plan that ensures high-quality, relevant curricula and professional learning for your district!
Compass PD colleague Dr. Brenner joins Dr. Carrie Hepburn to discuss the importance of utilizing data to for early identification of reading deficiencies. Dr. Brenner walks us through the steps of early reading interventions for Tier 1 and Tier 2 instruction. Finally, providing guidance on determining the next steps for instruction based on how students respond to early reading intervention.
In this podcast, Dr. Evans shared the importance of Number Talks and how this work in classrooms builds the numeric accuracy and flexibility needed in order to determine the most efficient method to solve math problems. Number Talks helps students build their conceptual understanding of mathematical practices and sets them up for success for higher-level math coursework later down the road.
Blended learning has been the buzzword in education for the past few years. But what exactly is it? The textbook definition of blended learning is the combination of synchronous learning and asynchronous learning. In the real world, however, it just means online and face-to-face classroom methods. With so many districts and schools moving toward this way of teaching, how do we make it work best for our students? In this episode, Dr. Carrie talks with ISTE and Google Certified, METC Spotlight ...
In this episode, Dr. Carrie talks with Instructional Coaches about the process of unpacking standards. We recently worked with the Instructional Coaches team from Webster City, Iowa, to unpack standards and create progressions from Early Childhood to Grade 5. We used the information to develop assessments and align with their district ELA resource, FPC. Here from a district that recently went through this essential but often daunting process.
“A guaranteed and viable curriculum ensures all students have an equal opportunity to learn." -Robert Marzano. On this very special episode, Dr. Carrie speaks to Professional Learning Leader, Betsy Rivas about the Curriculum Academy they have designed for Compass PD, and will soon be offering districts. The Curriculum Academy is based on their extensive research and experience facilitating curriculum writing teams. The academy is designed to build capacity by creating curric...
Dr. Carrie Hepburn had an energizing and inspiring discussion with Professional Learning Leader, David Brothers. David shares his experience leading educators through powerful data discussions, the kinds of discussions that empower and excite teachers.
Compass PD talks with Dr. Fallert about the power of books clubs in the secondary classroom. She delivers tips and tricks to getting started in this important work.
In this special episode of the Compass PD Podcast, Dr. Natalie Fallert brings you a heartwarming celebration of educators everywhere. With all the appreciation days that fill the month of May, we decided to join in the celebration by reflecting on the moments and mentors that inspired us, the most meaningful gestures we’ve received, and the powerful ways we can show appreciation to others. This episode isn’t your typical two-guest format—instead, Natalie invites friends and fellow educators t...
In Episode 80 of the Compass PD Podcast, Dr. Stephanie Brenner and Dr. Sherri Lorton take you inside the often overwhelming world of end-of-year data. But this isn’t just about spreadsheets and scores — it’s about telling the real story behind the numbers. Together, they explore common pitfalls, share expert strategies for making sense of math and literacy data, and explain how to craft a meaningful data story that drives instructional growth. You’ll walk away with practical tips on how to r...
In this powerful episode of the Compass PD Podcast, Michelle Kearns—educator and mother to her son Gehrig, who is on the autism spectrum—joins Dr. Natalie Fallert to build upon her touching blog More Than Words: An Autism Journey. Michelle shares what she wishes every educator, parent, and student knew about autism, and how we can all do better to cultivate true belonging in our schools. From leading through compassion to making space for students’ interests, Michelle offers heartfelt storie...
In this uplifting episode of the Compass PD Podcast, Dr. Carrie Hepburn is joined by Dr. Declan Fitzpatrick and Dr. Elizabeth Malloy—two leaders passionate about keeping instruction at the forefront of their work. With honesty and heart, they share what it looks like to lead learning while navigating the realities of school leadership. From 30-second feedback loops to shared calendars and grace-filled mindsets, this episode is full of encouragement and real-world strategies. Whether you’re ju...
In this solo episode of the Compass PD Podcast, Dr. Natalie Fallert invites educators to try something both brave and rewarding—student-led book clubs. As testing season wraps up and attention spans wane, spring is the perfect time to launch a flexible, choice-driven reading experience that fosters deep conversations, authentic learning, and student ownership. Natalie breaks down what book clubs really are (hint: not lit circles with packets), why they’re worth trying—even if it’s messy—and h...
In this episode of the Compass PD Podcast, Dr. Natalie Fallert and Dr. Stephanie Brenner explore the world of test prep—and not the kind that makes kids (and teachers) cringe. From everyday instruction that builds confidence to last-minute strategies that matter most, this episode unpacks practical, mindset-shifting approaches for elementary and secondary classrooms. You’ll hear realistic strategies and powerful reminders that testing should never define your students—or your teaching. Wheth...