Off the Assembly Line

I've had a hard time pulling this episode together. The last few weeks have presented the greatest disruption to formal education of our lifetimes, and quite possibly, modern history. It's hard to know what is needed right now, especially as more information, resources, tools, and strategies flood our feeds than ever before. The strongest urge I’ve felt in the last few weeks is the urge to be still, to observe, and to listen. And as I have, a few several things have risen to the surface as "most important". In this quarantined episode I share an epiphany I had while working on an art piece, a few of the things I believe are most important for educators and parents during this time. Stay safe my friends. We are all in this together. You can find more show details and resources at offtheassemblyline.co and connect with Rebecca on LinkedIn or at rebeccaareed.com.Follow Off the Assembly Linetwitter @offassemblylineinstagram @offtheassemblyline_podcastfacebook @offtheassemblylinepodcast.Special thanks to Scott Holmes for our intro music. You can check out more from him at https://scottholmesmusic.com/. Thanks for listening to Off the Assembly Line. Share it with someone who needs to hear it and even now, lean into possibility!Support the show

Things have changed a lot in the last week. Many are in the process of transitioning from work and school to home, and working hard to figure out what the next weeks and months will look like. As I thought about the best thing I could share this week, I kept coming back to mindfulness. Our collective anxiety is spiking right now and it does not take long to lose ourselves amid the sea of updates, tweets, and posts. We have to be intentional about being good to ourselves, good to our brains, and creating space for peace. So this week I'm re-sharing one of my favorite conversations, with Lou Redmond, founder of One Mindful Education. The entire conversation is full of amazing tips for both adults and kids to release anxiety and ground themselves, but my favorite part of the conversation is when Lou actually walks us through a meditation himself. If you need a few moments of de-stressing right now, you can skip right to the exercise at 46:30, or listen to the whole thing. Take some time for self-care, starting with this episode.Connect with Lou and One Mindful Education:Website: https://onemindfuleducation.com/Email: lou@onemindfuleducation.comYou can find more show details and resources at offtheassemblyline.co and connect with Rebecca on LinkedIn or at rebeccaareed.com.Follow Off the Assembly Linetwitter @offassemblylineinstagram @offtheassemblyline_podcastfacebook @offtheassemblylinepodcast.Special thanks to Scott Holmes for our intro music. You can check out more from him at https://scottholmesmusic.com/. Thanks for listening to Off the Assembly Line. Share it with someone who needs to hear it and then go make a ruckus!Support the show

Five years ago, Daniel Bauer sat in a conference for school leaders and heard the seven words that would forever change his trajectory: "Everyone wins when a leader gets better". Those seven words launched Daniel on a journey of personal development that ultimately led him to create Better Leaders Better Schools, a trusted blog and category-defining podcast that helps thousands of school leaders level up every week. Creating change as a school leader is challenging to say the least, and even more challenging in isolation. On this episode Daniel shares the core actions leaders can take to create meaningful and lasting change within their schools - and themselves.Connect with Daniel and Better Leaders Better Schools:Website: https://www.betterleadersbetterschools.com/Twitter: @alienearbudLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielevanbauer/Podcast: Better Leaders Better SchoolsThis July, Daniel is hosting Bollingen Tower, a 3-day event for leaders like you to create a 3-year vision. Click the link above for more details or register here.If you liked what you heard, rate and review Off the Assembly LineConnect with Rebecca on LinkedIn or at rebeccaareed.com.Learn more about the Teacher Mastermind at http://teachermastermind.comFollow Off the Assembly Line:twitter @offassemblylineinstagram @offtheassemblyline_podcastfacebook @offtheassemblylinepodcast.Special thanks to Scott Holmes for our intro music. You can check out more from him at https://scottholmesmusic.com/. Thanks for listening to Off the Assembly Line. Share it with someone who needs to hear it and then go make a ruckus!Support the show

Year over year, Gallup student polls have revealed a disturbing, but unsurprising trend: student engagement in school declines steadily with each grade, and sharply from elementary to middle to high school. One of the proven contributors to this decline over time is the inability of many schools to build the strengths of each student and make learning relevant. This is especially true for the nearly 50% of polled students who have entrepreneurial ambitions. So what can schools do? If you ask Don Wettrick, CEO and Co-Founder of the StartEdUp Foundation, the answer can be found in the word purpose. For 20 years, Don has taught students to connect to a larger life purpose through innovation and entrepreneurship. What started in the classroom, has grown into a global network of renowned innovators, educators and entrepreneurs. The StartEdUp network is dedicated to helping teachers and students change education by building innovation and entrepreneurship into the fabric of the classroom. In this episode Don talks about the StartEdUp story, what it looks like in action, and how educators and school leaders can get started.Connect with Don and StartEdUp:Website: https://startedupfoundation.org/ and http://www.startedupinnovation.com/Twitter: @donwettrick and @letsstartedupLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donwettrick/If you liked what you heard, rate and review Off the Assembly LineConnect with Rebecca on LinkedIn or at rebeccaareed.com.Learn more about the Teacher Mastermind at http://teachermastermind.comFollow Off the Assembly Line:twitter @offassemblylineinstagram @offtheassemblyline_podcastfacebook @offtheassemblylinepodcast.Special thanks to Scott Holmes for our intro music. You can check out more from him at https://scottholmesmusic.com/. Thanks for listening to Off the Assembly Line. Share it with someone who needs to hear it and then go make a ruckus!Support the show

[RECAST EP01] A little over 6 years ago, Sabari Raja heard a persistent and compelling question from educators, community leaders, and industry professionals in her city. They all wanted to know how to create meaningful and accessible industry connections in the classroom. The question led Sabari and co-founder Binu Thayamkery to create Nepris, which connects professionals of all kinds with K-12 classrooms (LIVE!) - no matter where they're located. Sabari shares insights on the industry-education connection, the importance of broad career exposure for student opportunity, and how she started Nepris. Connect with Sabari and Nepris:Email: sabari@nepris.comWebsite: https://nepris.comTwitter: @neprisappFacebook: @neprisappRebecca's hosting the first Education Innovation Virtual Town Hall TODAY, February 25, 2020. Registration is closed, but the recording will be available upon request. Email rebecca@teachermastermind.com.If you liked what you heard, rate and review Off the Assembly Line.Connect with Rebecca on LinkedIn or at rebeccaareed.com.Learn more about the Teacher Mastermind at http://teachermastermind.comFollow Off the Assembly Linetwitter @offassemblylineinstagram @offtheassemblyline_podcastfacebook @offtheassemblylinepodcast.Special thanks to Scott Holmes for our intro music. You can check out more from him at https://scottholmesmusic.com/. Thanks for listening to Off the Assembly Line. Share it with someone who needs to hear it and then go make a ruckus!Support the show

Have you ever read a paper, found a tool, or heard an idea that made you stop and think, "If we could do this, we'd see truly major changes"? That's how I felt after speaking with education journalist and author Natalie Wexler about her recent book, The Knowledge Gap: The Hidden Cause of America's Broken Education System - and How to Fix It. Despite the heavy emphasis on reading instruction through testing, "accountability" measures, and funding over the last two decades, reading scores have been flat. Students performing at "proficient" levels make up less than one third of the student population. Why is this? The answer appears to lie not in environmental factors or lack of resources, but in our approach to reading instruction. In this episode, Natalie shares why skills-based reading comprehension misses the mark, and new approach that can close the gap. Connect with Natalie and her writing:Website: https://nataliewexler.com/Twitter: @natwexlerBooks: The Knowledge Gap and The Writing RevolutionRebecca's hosting the first Education Innovation Virtual Town Hall on February 25, 2020. The event is free but remaining space is limited. Click here to register and reserve your spot!If you're interested in partnering with kindness.org as a Learn Kind Pilot classroom, go to kindness.org and scroll down to "Learn Kind" to find out more. (Or you can send Rebecca a message!)If you liked what you heard, rate and review Off the Assembly LineConnect with Rebecca on LinkedIn or at rebeccaareed.com.Learn more about the Teacher Mastermind at http://teachermastermind.comFollow Off the Assembly Linetwitter @offassemblylineinstagram @offtheassemblyline_podcastfacebook @offtheassemblylinepodcast.Special thanks to Scott Holmes for our intro music. You can check out more from him at https://scottholmesmusic.com/. Thanks for listening to Off the Assembly Line. Share it with someone who needs to hear it and then go make a ruckus!Support the show

This week I'm excited to share a deeply insightful conversation with Dr. Robyn Koslowitz, clinical psychologist, regular contributor to Psychology Today, and the Education Director of Targeted Parenting Institute. We’re talking about social-emotional learning (SEL), and the small tweaks that can make a major difference in students’ wellness, behavior, and long-term health and success. My favorite insight in our conversation is the innovative and integrated approach that Dr. Koslowitz uses to bridge the gap between home and school - a disconnect that is felt by many, but rarely addressed holistically. Like our recent mindfulness episodes, this conversation has wisdom for everyone.Connect with Dr. Koslowitz and Targeted Parenting Institute:Website: https://targetedparenting.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drrobynkoslowitz/Facebook: @drkoslowitzpsychologyInstagram: @dr.koslowitzpsychologyPsychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/targeted-parentingIf you're interested in partnering with kindness.org as a Learn Kind Pilot classroom, go to kindness.org and scroll down to "Learn Kind" to find out more. (Or you can send Rebecca a message!)Rebecca's hosting the first Education Innovation Virtual Town Hall on February 25, 2020. The event is free but remaining space is limited. Click here to register and reserve your spot!If you liked what you heard, rate and review Off the Assembly LineConnect with Rebecca on LinkedIn or at rebeccaareed.com.Learn more about the Teacher Mastermind at http://teachermastermind.comFollow Off the Assembly Linetwitter @offassemblylineinstagram @offtheassemblyline_podcastfacebook @offtheassemblylinepodcast.Special thanks to Scott Holmes for our intro music. You can check out more from him at https://scottholmesmusic.com/. Thanks for listening to Off the Assembly Line. Share it with someone who needs to hear it and then go make a ruckus!Support the show

We'll be back with a brand new, full-length episode next week. This week I wanted to tell you about a project I've been working on. Last fall I partnered with global non-profit and kindness leader kindness.org, to explore new ways to bring kindness to classrooms. While there are wonderful programs and materials already available under the umbrella of kindness, we found in talking with teachers that there were still needs to be met. Our research revealed the need for kindness curriculum that accounts for each student's experience, home life, personality, and unique educational needs. So we developed curriculum that puts students in the driver's seat. In just a few weeks we'll be releasing Learn Kind, an inquiry-based curriculum for K-8 students, to a limited cohort of pilot classrooms across the U.S. If you want to partner with us as a pilot classroom, or share this program with others, go to kindness.org and scroll down to "Learn Kind" to find out more. (Or you can send Rebecca a message!)Rebecca's hosting the first Education Innovation Virtual Town Hall on February 25, 2020. The event is free but remaining space is limited. Click here to register and reserve your spot!If you liked what you heard, rate and review Off the Assembly LineConnect with Rebecca on LinkedIn or at rebeccaareed.com.Learn more about the Teacher Mastermind at http://teachermastermind.comFollow Off the Assembly Linetwitter @offassemblylineinstagram @offtheassemblyline_podcastfacebook @offtheassemblylinepodcast.Special thanks to Scott Holmes for our intro music. You can check out more from him at https://scottholmesmusic.com/. Thanks for listening to Off the Assembly Line. Share it with someone who needs to hear it and then go make a ruckus!Support the show

How do you thrive as a true creative, in a system built for process? If you're 2086xxoo (or 20 for short), you dive in with both feet and "problem-solve your way through" - and create curricular innovation along the way. This week I'm honored to talk with the most innovative educator I have ever seen in action. 20 is the kind of teacher they make movies about, the kind of educator whose ability to connect with students and call up the best in them seems almost magical. Throughout a career that has spanned every grade level, school type, and demographic environment, 20 has consistently fed the fire of creative work, recently launching the language arts platform for teachers and students, Liberation Education. Think of Liberation Ed like an educational Netflix, with a library of original language arts hip hop songs and videos, created in collaboration with students, with full curriculum currently in the works. On this episode, 20 and I talk about harnessing the magic of "kid energy" to create curriculum that students WANT to connect with, and how to thrive as a true creative in an education system stacked against mold-breakers. Connect with 2086xxoo and Liberation Education:Website: https://liberation.education/Facebook: @2086xxoo and @liberationedInstagram: @2086xxoo and @liberationedCheck the original song and video PIN to WinRebecca's hosting the first Education Innovation Virtual Town Hall on February 25, 2020. The event is free but remaining space is limited. Click here to register and reserve your spot! If you liked what you heard, rate and review Off the Assembly LineConnect with Rebecca on LinkedIn or at rebeccaareed.com.Learn more about the Teacher Mastermind at http://teachermastermind.comFollow Off the Assembly Linetwitter @offassemblylineinstagram @offtheassemblyline_podcastfacebook @offtheassemblylinepodcast.Special thanks to Scott Holmes for our intro music. You can check out more from him at https://scottholmesmusic.com/. Thanks for listening to Off the Assembly Line. Share it with someone who needs to hear it and then go make a ruckus!Support the show

Imagine an entire school pausing, turning inward, and dedicating several unbroken minutes to mindfulness guided by a prompt overlaid with classical music. Imagine each student, teacher, and school staff member beginning the day with this experience. You can almost feel the collective exhale and see the clear minds emerging from each musical moment. This is exactly what happens in classrooms and schools that partner with Mindful Music Moments, a program that brings mindfulness practice to K-12 students in partnership with world-class performing arts organizations. In the second episode of our Mindfulness Education miniseries, Mindful Music Moments creator Stacy Sims explains just what makes this program so powerful, and how educators can begin to practice some of the most effective aspects of mindfulness right now. Connect with Stacy and Mindful Music Moments:Website: https://www.thewell.world/mindful-music (now available by app!)Check out the PBS Newshour SpecialIf you liked what you heard, rate and review Off the Assembly LineGo to offtheassemblyline.co to sign up for the Education Innovation Town Hall (details in show intro!)Connect with Rebecca on LinkedIn or at rebeccaareed.com.Learn more about the Teacher Mastermind at http://teachermastermind.comFollow Off the Assembly Linetwitter @offassemblylineinstagram @offtheassemblyline_podcastfacebook @offtheassemblylinepodcast.Special thanks to Scott Holmes for our intro music. You can check out more from him at https://scottholmesmusic.com/. Thanks for listening to Off the Assembly Line. Share it with someone who needs to hear it and then go make a ruckus!Support the show

If you ask health experts, schools leaders, and even students about the biggest problem students face today, you'll get the same answer: anxiety. Student anxiety levels have risen steadily over the last seven years, with recent national data suggesting that one-third of students will experience an anxiety disorder. Students themselves recognize the massive problem that anxiety presents. A 2019 Pew Research Center study found that 70% of teens surveyed felt anxiety and depression was the number one issue they faced, with another 26% indicating it was a minor problem. The underlying causes of the rising trend are complex, and many fall outside the influence of schools. But there are significant and relatively simple strides that schools can take to reduce the anxiety students experience in school. One of the most effective is the intentional integration of mindfulness. In this week's episode, Lou Redmond, founder of One Mindful Education explains that mindfulness is about so much more than "just calming down", and shares a powerful framework that educators can use in classrooms, school-wide, and even personal practice. And because mindfulness can't really be understood outside of experience, Lou walks us through some simple exercises to get us started. Connect with Lou and One Mindful Education:Website: https://onemindfuleducation.com/Email: lou@onemindfuleducation.com If you liked what you heard, rate and review Off the Assembly LineYou can find more show details and resources at offtheassemblyline.co and connect with Rebecca on LinkedIn or at rebeccaareed.com.Learn more about the Teacher Mastermind at http://teachermastermind.comFollow Off the Assembly Linetwitter @offassemblylineinstagram @offtheassemblyline_podcastfacebook @offtheassemblylinepodcast.Special thanks to Scott Holmes for our intro music. You can check out more from him at https://scottholmesmusic.com/. Thanks for listening to Off the Assembly Line. Share it with someone who needs to hear it and then go make a ruckus!Support the show

“What transforms the individual, transforms the collective”. Several weeks ago a colleague shared this quote with me, and ever since I heard it, I've been wondering, "Is this really true?" Are the same things that transform you and me the keys to transforming whole systems? If we looked at our own stories, could we find practices that might help us bring significant shifts to the education system? I think we can. As we close out the 2019 year and the 2010 decade, we'll take a closer look at the things that transform us, and how personal disruption and innovation can provide insight for collective change. On this episode I share how my own life completely transformed over the last calendar year, the 6 practices that led to personal innovation and accelerated growth, and what these practices can tell us about the education system as a whole.You can find more show details and resources at offtheassemblyline.co. Connect with Rebecca on LinkedIn or at rebeccaareed.com.If you liked what you heard, rate and review Off the Assembly LineLearn more about the Teacher Mastermind at http://teachermastermind.comFollow Off the Assembly Linetwitter @offassemblylineinstagram @offtheassemblyline_podcastfacebook @offtheassemblylinepodcast.Special thanks to Scott Holmes for our intro music. You can check out more from him at https://scottholmesmusic.com/. Thanks for listening to Off the Assembly Line. Share it with someone who needs to hear it and then go make a ruckus!Support the show

We're taking a break for a few weeks to rest and celebrate the holiday season. Mark your calendars for Tuesday, December 31st and the last Off the Assembly Line episode of the decade! As we set our intention for the new year, Rebecca will share the tools and practices that have helped her overcome internal barriers, clarify her vision, and experience personal innovation and disruption. Until then, happy holidays!Support the show

As an educator, you pour your full energy into your craft. In addition to the daily practices of pedagogy, social-emotional learning, and classroom management, there's a dedication to professional development and ongoing learning. From conferences to workshops, and research to trainings, you're consistently seeking answers to the big questions. Questions like, "What do my students need now, that will enable them to thrive when they're out in the world?" As an educator, you play the ultimate long game and often don't get to see the long-term results of your work.But what if we could flip our perspective, and go straight to the source? What would thriving graduates tell us went right? What would they identify as the greatest impact on post K-12 success? In episode 11 I'm joined by Andre Haykal Jr., an entrepreneur, podcast host, and author - who just happens to be 19 years old. Andre pulls back a curtain we rarely see behind and shares the classroom experiences that fast-tracked his entrepreneurial journey, the urgency of building creativity and failure into the learning process, and how educators can help students build the muscle of self-education.Connect with Andre:LinkedIn: Andre Haykal Jr. Instagram: @andrehaykaljrGet the Book: What They Won't Teach YouPodcast: Real Talk UniversityWebsite: https://www.innovateyouniversity.com/If you liked what you heard, rate and review Off the Assembly LineYou can find more show details and resources at offtheassemblyline.co and connect with Rebecca on LinkedIn or at rebeccaareed.com.Learn more about the Teacher Mastermind at http://teachermastermind.comFollow Off the Assembly Linetwitter @offassemblylineinstagram @offtheassemblyline_podcastfacebook @offtheassemblylinepodcast.Special thanks to Scott Holmes for our intro music. You can check out more from him at https://scottholmesmusic.com/. Thanks for listening to Off the Assembly Line. Share it with someone who needs to hear it and then go make a ruckus!Support the show

Is there any academic subject as universally polarizing or intimidating as math? Probably not. For students, educators, and parents alike, the subject can induce anxiety like no other - and we have the unfortunate data to prove it. But it doesn't have to be this way, and in this episode Dr. Georgie Hart, reveals an evidence-based path forward. Georgie is the Education Director and Co-Founder of Sparx, a UK based education company that's spent the last 8 years reimagining the way math is learned and taught in schools, and supports more than a million students and teachers in the UK. Georgie and I talk about what Sparx is doing differently, the very real phenomenon of math anxiety, and how educators and parents can help students develop confidence to thrive in math. Connect with Georgie and Sparx:Website: https://sparx.co.uk/To book a demo of the Sparx Maths platform: https://sparx.co.uk/what-is-sparx/Twitter: @sparxlearningIf you liked what you heard, rate and review Off the Assembly LineYou can find more show details and resources at offtheassemblyline.co and connect with Rebecca on LinkedIn or at rebeccaareed.com.Learn more about the Teacher Mastermind at http://teachermastermind.comFollow Off the Assembly Linetwitter @offassemblylineinstagram @offtheassemblyline_podcastfacebook @offtheassemblylinepodcast.Special thanks to Scott Holmes for our intro music. You can check out more from him at https://scottholmesmusic.com/. Thanks for listening to Off the Assembly Line. Share it with someone who needs to hear it and then go make a ruckus!Support the show

It's no secret that the K12 education system has some major challenges. Visit any classroom, speak to any educator, or parent a school-aged child, and you'll bump into something that doesn't seem quite right. Scan the workforce horizon and you'll be puzzled by a growing gap between education and industry. Each of these constraints represent a world of possibility. But in order to move forward, we have to understand how we got here. In this episode I share two brief, but essential stories that helped shape the eduction system that we know today, and the "why" behind the podcast. The first is the story of Horace Mann, known as the "father of the common school" (or what we know now as the U.S. public education system). The second is the story behind the creation of the first multiple choice test, and how it helped to establish the system for standardized assessment and standards based reform. To many in the machine age, a uniform system that produced conformity seemed to be exactly what society and the workforce needed. Unfortunately, these systems remain intact in a world that needs creativity, adaptability, personalization, and the ability to deal in complexity. The need for change is daunting, but it's possible. Listen as I share the "why" behind the podcast, and my hope for disruptive innovation.You can find more show details and resources at offtheassemblyline.co and connect with Rebecca on LinkedIn or at rebeccaareed.com.If you liked what you heard, rate and review Off the Assembly LineLearn more about the Teacher Mastermind at http://teachermastermind.comFollow Off the Assembly Linetwitter @offassemblylineinstagram @offtheassemblyline_podcastfacebook @offtheassemblylinepodcast.Special thanks to Scott Holmes for our intro music. You can check out more from him at https://scottholmesmusic.com/. Thanks for listening to Off the Assembly Line. Share it with someone who needs to hear it and then go make a ruckus!Support the show

It's no secret that today's workforce is experiencing a gap in the talent pipeline and in-demand skill development. A 2019 survey of 600 HR leaders showed that 64% perceive a skills gap in their company, a surprising increase from 52% in last year's survey. As companies scramble to address recruitment strategies and the upskilling and reskilling of employees, a growing body of educators and entrepreneurs are turning their attention to K12 students, well before they enter college or the workforce. One of these change-makers is Anne Jones, who, along with her husband Dan Gonzalez, founded District C, a non-profit that aims to build a "new kind of talent pipeline" by giving students the greatest lever to long-term success: the ability to leverage the talents of diverse teams to solve complex problems. District C works with local businesses to provide student teams with real challenges that they’re currently facing, and then empowers student teams to deliver an actionable solution to the business (which 94% of businesses actually use!). Anne and I talk about the mindsets and tools behind collective problem-solving, and how to get started no matter where you are.Connect with Anne and District C:Website: https://www.districtc.co/Twitter: @AnneJ_NC and @DistrictC17 Instagram: @DistrictC17LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/district-cChapter Guide:0.00 - Intro to the episode1:52 - The Skills Gap and the need for collective problem-solving4:07 - Under the hood of collective problem-solving: What successful teams do well7:05 - The role of coaching in building problem-solving skills8:51 - Building an ecosystem goes beyond schools12:14 - The District C approach centers on the student experience17:48 - Real-world metrics for success and the impact to students and businesses20:22 - The role of the school system in preparing the talent pipeline25:50 - Core mindsets and tools you can bring to students right now29:31 - Where does District C go from here?33:40 - How should entrepreneurial educators think about complex problems and momentum?38:32 - Who are you giving an A to Anne?40:50 - Get connected with Anne and District CIf you liked what you heard, rate and review Off the Assembly LineYou can find more show details and resources at offtheassemblyline.co and connect with Rebecca on LinkedIn or at rebeccaareed.com.Learn more about the Teacher Mastermind at http://teachermastermind.comFollow Off the Assembly Linetwitter @offassemblylineinstagram @offtheassemblyline_podcastfacebook @offtheassemblylinepodcast.Special thanks to Scott Holmes for our intro musicSupport the show

On this week's episode, we're digging into the entrepreneurial journey of Amanda DoAmaral, a former AP History teacher and recent recipient of Business Insider's 8 Women Under 30 Entrepreneurs & CEOs to Watch list. A few years ago Amanda left her high school classroom and created Fiveable, a social learning platform that connects students and teachers for in-depth group learning through livestreamed lessons, interactive discussions, and engaging communities. What started as a way to help her former students prepare for their AP exam exploded into a community of more than 35,000 students in a little over two years time. Amanda shares the unexpected pathway that "expanded the walls" of her classroom, and how Fiveable is creating new opportunities for students and for teachers. Connect with Amanda and Fiveable:Website: https://fiveable.me/Twitter: @thinkfiveable Instagram: @thinkfiveableFacebook: @thinkfiveableIf you liked what you heard, rate and review Off the Assembly LineYou can find more show details and resources at offtheassemblyline.co and connect with Rebecca on LinkedIn or at rebeccaareed.com.Learn more about the Teacher Mastermind at http://teachermastermind.comFollow Off the Assembly Linetwitter @offassemblylineinstagram @offtheassemblyline_podcastfacebook @offtheassemblylinepodcast.Special thanks to Scott Holmes for our intro music. You can check out more from him at https://scottholmesmusic.com/. Thanks for listening to Off the Assembly Line. Share it with someone who needs to hear it and then go make a ruckus!Support the show

For years the education system has worked to address disparity in outcomes for different student groups. We’ve known this disparity as the achievement gap, and more recently and accurately as the opportunity gap. But so far, significant national, state, and local efforts have done little to actually close the gap and increase equity for students across the board. In this episode, Julia Freeland Fisher, Director of Education at the Christensen Institute and author of the essential Who You Know, sheds light on the underlying reason that these efforts have fallen short. When it comes to student opportunity, the research shows what most of us have seen throughout our lives: "It's not what you know, it's who you know." Or, more accurately, it's both. Julia shares research-rich insights on the pivotal potential of student social networks and how schools can unlock innovations that can close the gap for good. Connect with Julia and the Christensen Institute:Website: https://www.christenseninstitute.org/Twitter: @juliaffreeland and @ChristensenInstChapter Guide:0.00 - Intro to the episode1:42 - Julia's origin story: "We don't accomplish anything alone."5:30 - Who You Know: Opportunity sits at the cross-section of what students know and who they know8:31 - Powerful networks are built on high-quality relationships12:36 - Julia's "why" behind the book15:09 - What research tells us about the role of student relationships in the opportunity gap equation20:50 - Why are we handcuffed to meritocracy?24:38 - Inherited networks and the transformative power of weak ties31:28 - Static exposure vs. relationship-based exposure33:37 - 3 innovative strategies to get started in schools40:44 - The central role of trust in a school's approach to relationship44:52 - A future shift and the walled-garden50:19 - Who are you giving an A to Julia?51:48 - Get connected with Julia and the Christensen InstituteIf you liked what you heard, rate and review Off the Assembly LineYou can find more show details and resources at offtheassemblyline.co and connect with Rebecca on LinkedIn or at rebeccaareed.com.Learn more about the Teacher Mastermind at http://teachermastermind.comFollow Off the Assembly Linetwitter @offassemblylineinstagram @offtheassemblyline_podcastfacebook @offtheassemblylinepodcast.Special thanks to Scott Holmes for our intro music. You can check out more from him at https://scottholmesmusic.com/. Thanks for listening to Off the Assembly Line. Share it with someone who needs to hear it and then go make a ruckus!Support the show

Lifelong-learners. Problem-solvers. Global thinkers. This is what we want for students - and what we hope we are ourselves. But for all of the programs, language, and initiatives we use to cultivate these traits, we may be overlooking the most effective way to get there. In this episode I talk with Widad Luqman, STEAM education thought leader and founder of Coding Out of Poverty (C.O.O.P.), about the power of experiential learning. For nearly 20 years, Widad has worked with students, educators, schools, and districts across the U.S., using experiential learning methodologies to create deep and enduring learning opportunities for students - and new mental models for educators. Widad shares the moment that changed everything for her as an educator, how experience and global perspective lead to greater equity and inclusivity, and awesome ideas to get started.Connect with Widad and Coding Out of Poverty:Website: www.codingoutofpoverty.comInstagram: @COOPSTEAM and @learnteachtravelrepeatTwitter: @COOPSTEAM and @widadluqmanFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Coding-Out-Of-Poverty and https://www.facebook.com/teachluqmanChapter Guide:0.00 - Intro to the episode1:39 - What HAVEN'T you done Widad?3:16 - Widad's journey as a STEAM education advocate7:51 - How an experiential STEM conference changed everything11:41 - The impact of experiential learning on retention13:58 - The three-part disconnect between higher ed, K12 classrooms, and the workforce17:36 - How K12 teachers can start to fill these gaps20:42 - Opening a window to bring the outside world in23:55 - How Coding Out of Poverty empowers students around the globe to grow and advance in any circumstance26:20 - STEM/STEAM is a tool for equity 28:09 - How a global perspective creates inclusivity, lifelong learning, and more33:04 - How can education leaders build a global mindset for students and districts?39:00 - The urgency of systemic inequity and the willingness to learn 44:16 - Who are you giving an A to Widad?45:46 - Get connected with Widad and Coding Out of PovertyIf you liked what you heard, rate and review Off the Assembly LineYou can find more show details and resources at offtheassemblyline.co and connect with Rebecca on LinkedIn or at rebeccaareed.com.Learn more about the Teacher Mastermind at http://teachermastermind.comFollow Off the Assembly Linetwitter @offassemblylineinstagram @offtheassemblyline_podcastfacebook @offtheassemblylinepodcast.Special thanks to Scott Holmes for our intro music. You can check out more from him at https://scottholmesmusic.com/. Thanks for listening to Off the Assembly Line. Share it with someone who needs to hear it and then go make a ruckus!Support the show