Transformative Principal

I'm excited to announce my Book Study. Get more info and join me here.In this episode, David Schipper, director of the Strategic Learning Clinic, discusses the challenges that students face in reaching their full potential. He highlights the prevalence of SAD (Stubborn Adult Disorder) as a major obstacle and emphasizes the need to address the soft bigotry of low expectations. Schipper argues that learning to read is the number one civil rights issue of our time and stresses the importance of testing all children by age 1 to identify those who may need additional support. He recommends high-impact tutoring and emphasizes the need to put the right emphasis on the right syllable when teaching reading. Schipper also discusses the role of transformative principals in identifying students who are struggling and provides practical tips for educators.The #1 obstacle to helping students become the best they can be - SADHuge resistance to many ideas. Sold a story that if students would just memorize all the words.Soft bigotry of low expectationsTest all kids by age 1. It’s a total mystery why students struggle. High-Impact TutoringPut the right emphasis on the right syllable. Learning to read is the number 1 civil rights issue of our time. If teachers are taught how to teach, they’ll be more effective. How to be a transformative principal? Test the phonological processing skills of students. Note who is struggling.  About David SchipperDavid Schipper is the director of Strategic Learning Clinic, a position he has held since 2013. David obtained a B.A. in English Literature from Concordia University in 1998 as well as a B.Ed. in Secondary Education (English and History) from McGill University in 2002. After some work as a local teacher in Montreal, David founded 2Torial Educational Centre in 2007. Aside from his ability to put both parents and students at ease, David uses his clinic's fairly unique approach to help get to the root of students' learning challenges and propose the most suitable remediation to resolve these weaknesses. As a father of two children, David knows how to relate to the concerns of parents and as an experienced educator, thoroughly understands the struggles of students. His passion and dedication to teaching and learning is second to none. We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

I'm excited to announce my Book Study. Get more info and join me here.In this podcast interview, Julie Ulstrup discusses the concept of the "Zone of Brilliance," where individuals can create a vision and achieve their dreams. She emphasizes the importance of having a definite chief aim and aligning one's actions, time, and money with that aim. Ulstrup highlights the common problem of educators providing a lot of value but not being compensated fairly for it.She suggests that educators can increase their income by understanding their zone of brilliance, changing their mindset about compensation, and becoming more aware of their transferable skills. Ulstrup also challenges the idea put forth by Simon Sinek that one should start with "why" when setting goals, arguing that teachers should focus on their zone of brilliance and act accordingly.Zone of Brilliance - We help everyone else create a vision and achieve their dreams. Every achievement is a result of a definite chief aimHow you see yourself, how others see you, how you spend your time, how you spend your money.We say we value something, but we do something else. It looks like doing nothing. Impact, influence, increase and income. We know it is our zone of brilliance when we feel it inside. How to change your mindset about compensation.Common and chronic problem that educators provide a lot of value and don’t get paid enough for it. Increase is three dimensional - who are we becoming. How we serve on the earth is how we can define ourselves. How much did the US pay out for all the Olympic gold, silver and bronze medals? Teachers do have a lot of transferable skills. Act in your zone of brilliance Simon Sinek was wrong - Don’t start with whyTeachers have skills that can work well in other settings. Teachers have always been in sales. Mindset, human-centered part of being an entrepreneur. Five minutes and use the quote by Sarah Blankely “The biggest risk is not taking a risk” - Journal about that for two minutes. “I serve and I deserve” and what does that mean?Venn to Zen. About Julie UlstrupMeet Julie Ulstrup, the visionary CEO of Women's Brilliance Collective and transformational personal and business strategist for experienced educators seeking their next chapter. With more than two decades of counseling expertise and a track record of incredible  business growth, Julie is the catalyst educators trust to turn their expertise into purpose and passion driven new opportunities.A two-time international leadership award winner and top 1% entrepreneur, Julie's unique blend of business acumen and deep understanding of human potential  guides  educators to create a vision for their careers so they  increase their impact, income and influence.Julie's superpower? Helping you discover yours. She combines razor-sharp strategy with heartfelt empathy, empowering you to:• Leverage your skills, knowledge, expertise and wisdom in innovative ways• Cultivate authentic leadership that inspires across sectors• Align your passion with purpose-driven opportunities• Make meaningful contributions in exciting new fieldsAs a sought-after speaker and trusted mentor, Julie's insights have transformed lives at universities, schools, and prominent events worldwide. Her message is clear: Your passion and purpose is the key to unlocking a future filled with increased influence, income, and impact.Julie's mission is to create a ripple effect of positive change by guiding educators like you to thrive in your next chapter. Whether you're eyeing leadership roles, consultancy, or entrepreneurship, she'll help you navigate the path with confidence and purpose.Ready to write the most exciting chapter of your career? Connect with Julie and the Women's Brilliance Collective today. Together, we’re creating a world where  the rest of your  life truly becomes the best of your life. We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

I'm excited to announce my Book Study. Get more info and join me here.On June 10, 2024, Passion Driven Leadership celebrated two schools in the Orange Township School District with the designation of being Passion Driven Schools. (see links below)PDL - Orange Recap June 2024.mp4Passion Driven Schools - Dr. Fitzhugh Interview .movThis means that they have decided to make Intentional Self-Care a priority for the adults in schools and completed our two-year process.Previous interview with Tyrone here.We work in a system that is broken by design. Accountable vs. ResponsibleWe work at the point of exhaustionEAP, too little too late. Starts with leadership. Process has six frames, SEL, instructional,  teacher, parent involvement, school reviewData driven vs. data informedDashboard for SELWellness & culture & climate surveys that teachers take on a regular basis. The value of the psychometric analysis is that it helps people see themselves and who their teammates are. Teachers came to work happier and more productive, fewer sick days, ownership.Students are more relaxed because of the impact of the teacher attitudes and perspectives. Passion Driven Schools for adults. Parent involvement - helping parents understand their kids better. Passion-Driven Leadership web site.  Please add your bio here: Dr. Tyrone D. Burton is an author, speaker, and Founder of Passion Driven Leadership. With over 40 years’ experience in education Dr. Burton is recognized and sought after as a proven leader in education.  He has served as a Distinguished Principal, mentoring other Principals in his proud state of Louisiana. He has worked as a School Turnaround Specialist, successfully helping, and supporting Principals turn around schools in Louisiana, Florida, Georgia, Cayman Island and Connecticut. He has served as an adjunct professor teaching aspiring principals to lead. He has been featured on notable podcast such as, Courtney Bowden, The Transformative Principal and Leading Lane hosted by award winning Principal Adam Lane. He is a regular featured speaker at Alabama`s MEGA Conference. He has authored two books, More Than a Notion, A Journey in Educational Leadership in the Age of Accountability and The Reframing of American Education, A Framework for Understanding American Education Post COVID-19. Both books are used at the University level to train educational leaders. His company Passion Driven Leadership was awarded a New Schools Venture Fund Grant, which he used to pilot his program to help educators lead lives filled with “Intentional Self-Care”! He has helped hundreds of educators to restore and revitalize their emotional health and wellbeing. His vision to create a community of educators who become emotionally literate and emotionally Intelligent through the development of human capital. His mission is to help educators realize and recognize that “Intentional Self-Care” is not selfish! We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

I'm excited to announce my Book Study. Get more info and join me here.Welcome to our National Literacy Month series of podcasts, presented in partnership between the Be Podcast Network and Reading Is Fundamental (RIF).In this episode of Transformative Principal, Jodi Rubin, Senior Vice President of Marketing & Partnerships at Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), discusses the "Rally to Read 100" initiative. Launched in response to declining reading frequency and motivation among children, this initiative aims to encourage children to read 100 books by the end of March. Anyone can participate, and there are incentives for schools and individuals, including book giveaways and social media contests. RIF provides various resources to support the initiative, such as videos, activity sheets, and purposeful questions for each book. Rubin emphasizes the importance of early reading experiences, reading aloud, and community involvement in fostering a love of reading in children. She also highlights the "RIF Literacy Central" website, which offers over 30,000 resources for educators and families.Rally to Read 100Frequency and motivation of reading was way down100,000,000th B&N storytime pick and Random House partnershipsRead 100 books by the end of the month of March. Anyone can participateWhy community is so important! Competition in individual groups. Motivation - giving away 10,000 books. 100 schools to win 100 books. Social media contestsEvery month 2 new videos will appear for the month’s theme (community, nature, changemakers, and more).Packets, coloring sheets, and more activities for students to do and use. 12 titles for read-alouds - Maxine Gets a Job and Built to Last, for example.Purposeful questions for each book they read. The power of early reading experiences.Importance of reading aloud. Enter to get your classroom sets. Celebratory event live at Union Square in NY. RIF Literacy Central - over 30,000 resourcesPlease add your bio here: Jodi Rubin is a marketing strategy and project management leader with more than 25 years of experience in the areas of strategic marketing, brand management, partnership marketing, communications, and strategy development. Jodi currently serves as RIF’s Senior Vice President Marketing & Partnerships and is responsible for the organization’s marketing strategy, communications, and partnership marketing to drive awareness and engagement with the RIF brand and its programs.Prior to RIF, Jodi was with Discovery Communications serving in a variety of strategic marketing roles in Domestic Distribution and Discovery Education. Jodi oversaw international educational marketing initiatives, new content provider partner efforts, and worked with Discovery’s various networks to bring key initiatives to teachers and students with unique educational content and resources to inspire and engage students.Jodi also held prior positions at Comsat International, W.B Doner Advertising, and Booz Allen & Hamilton.Jodi holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Maryland and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Michigan. We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

I'm excited to announce my Book Study. Get more info and join me here.Dr. Daris McInnis joins Jethro to explore the complex nature of the reading process and the pivotal role that parents play in building literacy foundations at home. Dr. McInnis emphasizes the expertise that parents bring to the table, urging schools to honor and tap into that knowledge. He challenges the assumptions that parents inherently have everything they need to support their child's learning or that lack of engagement signals disinterest. Instead, he advocates for creating meaningful partnerships with parents, giving them a seat at the table, and understanding the pressures they face, such as time constraints. Throughout the discussion, Dr. McInnis highlights the value of programs like Reading is Fundamental (RIF) and literacy nights, which provide families with tools and strategies to support their children's learning. He also encourages educators to rethink their roles as learners themselves, emphasizing the importance of linguistic expression and understanding students as cosmopolitan intellectuals. Tune in to discover how schools can better engage families in the literacy process and how transformative leadership begins with meaningful, student-centered conversations.Reading process is complex. Starts at homeAt home start understanding the literacy foundationsParents have expertise, and we need to acknowledge it. Parents' knowledge of how their students’ everyday life impacts learning.Schools should honor and seek that expertise out. Schools don’t honor parent expertise because they don’t have expertiseGrandma’s statisticsAssumption: Parents have everything they need to support student learning (in the way we do it). Assumption: People have time. Uninvolved or don’t care is not what silence always meansGiving them a seat at the table.What do they need from the school district? RIF is a great resourceLiteracy nights - valuable for many reason Strategies and tools for parents. Linguistic expressionHow do we rethink about ourselves as learners as well. How to be a transformative principal? Identify a student that a teacher is struggling to reach, then go into the classroom, and have a conversation with that student. Frame them as the cosmopolitan intellectuals they are. Please add your bio here: Dr. Daris McInnis is an assistant professor of literacy in the College of Education and Social Work at West Chester University of Pennsylvania. His research interests include family literacy, reading research, critical literacy, family-school partnerships, and early childhood education. Daris holds a doctorate in Reading/Writing/Literacy from the University of Pennsylvania, serves on multiple advisory boards with Reading is Fundamental, previously taught early elementary grades in Washington, D.C., and currently volunteers as a reading specialist in New Castle County, Delaware. He is also a Pat Tillman Scholar, and an Army veteran who served five years on active duty as an Ordnance Logistics Officer. We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

I'm excited to announce my Book Study. Get more info and join me here.Welcome to our National Literacy Month series of podcasts, presented in partnership between the Be Podcast Network and Reading Is Fundamental (RIF).How schools have turned off millions of kids from loving reading. “We escaped a train wreck because of my son”Balanced Literacy 3-cueing. Explicit and systematic way to sound out words. Kenneth Goodman - founder of whole language, which is what balanced literacy is based on. Observational study on how children learn to read. National Reading Panel - convened by congress in late 1990s. Emily Hanford - Sold a Story PodcastWhy don’t we have computers teaching our kids to read. Kids just press buttons.Teaching a child to read is remarkably easyTeaching a child who has been taught incorrectly to read is not easy. Samuel Orton - Orton Gillingham method of teaching reading. Is it the child, or is it us? Phonemic awareness is not an inheritable trait, it’s a skill that can be taught. Do you teach or let the child discover on their own? Teach the basic skillsSteps To ReadingAbout Irene DariaToday, Irene Daria is a cognitive developmental psychologist and reading tutor to the stars, including the children of Kate Winslet, Tom Brady and Cate Blanchett. Her new book, I Didn’t Believe Him, takes you behind-the-scenes to witness exactly how schools across the country are failing to teach students how to read. At the time of the story she shares in I Didn’t Believe Him, Daria was a graduate student and "just" a mom thrilled that her son had been accepted to one of the most esteemed schools in Manhattan. Sure that he was on the path to a venerable education, she did not listen when her 5-year-old told her that he-like millions of other children-was not being taught how to read in school.An entire, very painful school year passed before Eric got her to realize he was right. Follow along as Daria begins a perplexing but ultimately empowering journey to save his academic life. She finds herself pitted against well-intentioned teachers and administrators she would have loved to trust if only they weren't so misinformed. The more Daria tries to get the school to see that it-like tens of thousands of other schools across the country is teaching reading all wrong, the more the school insists there is something wrong with her child and not with its teaching.Although I Didn't Believe Him is about a disturbing topic, it is a joy to read. Its pages overflow with the tenderness and love a mother has for her child and the trust a child has that his mother will make everything right. In addition to sharing her personal story, Daria takes you behind closed doors at a top-rated school to witness how flawed teaching methods are causing millions of kids to struggle with reading. You will see how a child's struggles in school affect the entire family. In an entertaining who-dun-it way, you will learn about the horrifying history of reading instruction in our country and the absurd way reading is currently being taught in many schools.In the end, simply by going on this life-altering journey with Daria and her son, you will learn how to teach a child to read and will be empowered to set any child on the path to becoming a proficient reader. We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

I'm excited to announce my Book Study. Get more info and join me here.Welcome to our National Literacy Month series of podcasts, presented in partnership between the Be Podcast Network and Reading Is Fundamental (RIF).Dr. Jocelyn Washburn, an associate director of the Center for Research on Learning at the University of Kansas, discusses the Strategic Instruction Model (SIM), an approach to instruction that focuses on teaching students learning strategies. SIM has shown a significant impact on students' learning outcomes, particularly in adolescent literacy. Dr. Washburn also shares concerns about the current Science of Reading movement, emphasizing the importance of considering research-based evidence and practice-based evidence in curriculum decision-making. She highlights the need for principals to focus on supporting teachers and facilitating productive collaboration to create effective learning environments.SIM is an approach to instruction that focuses on teaching students strategies for learning. In short, SIM emphasizes HOW to learn.Learning strategies (explicit instruction) and content enhancement (teacher guided learning) strategies, Cue, Do, ReviewSIM is designed for teachers in middle and high schoolSIM Paraphrasing activityCenter for Research on LearningPretest and make commitments to learn. Success formula = If you figure out what works for you, what strategies will help you perform it, that will make it effective for life. Strategic is about having strategiesWhy hasn’t anyone taught me “like this” beforeLearning strategies vs. Cue, do, reviewResearch-based informationConcerns about science of reading approachesReview process - reviewed against a long list of components (do those specific components have research showing they work.)Teacher not being able to teach something even though they have experience showing that it works. Adapting evidence-based practices based on student data. iSTAR Adaptive intervention based on SIM writing strategies. Learn how write complete sentences and effective purposeful paragraphs. Many different types of gaps and writing that has happened. Human-delivered instruction but with dashboards for families, teachers, students, and administrators with AI to supportInterest-inventoryAuthentic Audience - writing with purpose routine, built into iStar. How to be a transformative principal? Learn alongside your teachers. About Dr. Jocelyn WashburnJocelyn Washburn, Ph.D., is an associate director of the Center for Research on Learning at the University of Kansas and the Director of Professional Development for their international network of Strategic Instruction Model (SIM) professional developers. She has been a special education teacher, instructional coach, district literacy coordinator, and regional technical assistance coordinator. Her career has been dedicated to the use of evidence-based, inclusive practices to support students with and without disabilities with an emphasis on adolescent literacy. In addition to adolescent literacy, her research focuses professional learning models, educator collaboration, and systems change. Through federally funded research, she is iteratively designing, testing, and scaling an Adaptive Professional Learning Model for coaches and teachers implementing evidence-based writing instruction and assessment practices. She also has a new federally funded project starting soon called iSTAR to re-design the SIM sentence and paragraph writing strategies into an adaptive intervention using artificial intelligence. We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

I'm excited to announce my Book Study. Get more info and join me here.Welcome to our National Literacy Month series of podcasts, presented in partnership between the Be Podcast Network and Reading Is Fundamental (RIF).In this interview, Tanya Sheckley and Brittany Botta from Up Academy discussed their Rebel Project Literacy Curriculum. They explained that project-based learning often didn't align well with literacy, so they developed this curriculum that focuses on a particular aspect of writing ineach module. They have seen positive results, with students not showing resistance to reading and writing. The curriculum divides the literacy block into community, agency, SELf-check, empowerment, and wrap-up. They emphasized the importance of creating timefor learning what really matters and providing space and time for students to read to increase literacy in schools.Up Academy - love of learning, inclusive educational space. Project based learning didn’t always align well to literacy. Rebel Project Literacy CurriculumEach module is focused on a particular aspect of writing. Don’t see the resistance to reading and writing with this curriculum. Not teaching the same stuff all the time, but getting to the same goals. Literacy block divided into community, agency, SELf-check, empowerment, wrap-upRestaurant project - partnered with a local restaurantSchool Shirt opinion - leading to opinion writing. Science of reading incorporation. How to increase literacy in your school: Create time for learning what really matters. Space and time for students to read. Increase reading time, talk to students about the books they’re reading. About Tanya Sheckley and Brittany BottaTanya Sheckley is Founder and President of UP Academy, an elementary lab school which values innovation, empathy and strength. Tanya’s vision and mission show it’s possible to celebrate differences, challenge what’s broken in the American education system, and that all children can receive a rigorous, well rounded education.  She is an Edupreneur,  Author of Rebel Educator: Create Classrooms Where Imagination and Impact Meet and host of the Rebel Educator podcast.  She speaks frequently on the future of education and entrepreneurship. She is a rebel educator who works with new and existing schools and small school leaders to question the status quo and develop innovative student experiences through inclusion and project based learning.Brittany Botta Director of Teaching and Learning at Up Academy and the author of the Rebel Project Literacy Curriculum. We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

This episode is a special episode from UDL-Con, powered by CAST. CAST just released the Guidelines for (Universal Design for Learning) UDL 3.0, which you can find here. If you don't know what UDL is, it's a way to make learning accessible for everyone! You can check out more about the webinars here.Enjoy this special episode.Jethro Jones interviews Missy Emler and Mia Chmiel, who host the UDLForward Community. Missy shares her experiences and insights as a statewide systems coach for UDL in Wisconsin, diving deep into the implementation science framework and the trials process. Mia Chmiel also joins the conversation to discuss practical examples of UDL trials and their impact on student engagement and learning outcomes.00:00 Introduction00:50 Meet Missy Emler01:18 Reasons for Attending UDL Con01:52 Implementation Science and UDL in Wisconsin04:15 Plan, Study, Do, Act Cycles05:57 Practical Outcomes of UDL Trials14:50 Mia Chmiel's Role and Insights26:46 Joining the Wisconsin UDL Community For more information about UDL, visit cast.org

I'm excited to announce my Book Study. Get more info and join me here.Welcome to our National Literacy Month series of podcasts, presented in partnership between the Be Podcast Network and Reading Is Fundamental (RIF).The podcast will discuss RIF's approach to partnerships, emphasizing the importance of both national reach and localized collaboration. It will explore strategies for promoting literacy, such as creating reading spaces in everyday locations like laundromats and parks. The conversation will likely touch on the children's literacy crisis and RIF's core philosophy of fostering the joy of reading. Jennifer Moone, drawing from her extensive experience at RIF, will share insights on how principals can integrate literacy initiatives throughout the school year.How RIF sees partnershipsNational scope and scale vs. localized partnerships. Look at your community and who is already doing those things, and call on those partners to Read-aloud at a street festivalDriving reading motivation through supplemental materials (like providing Literacy Central resourcesLiteracy Network Meeting families and communities where they are. Literacy spaces within laundromats, playgrounds, parks, Starbucks. Anyplace where kids are, there can be literacy spaces there, too. Children’s literacy crisis is a real thing. Core philosophy - joy of reading - Previous interview with Dr. Erin Bailey of RIFHow to be a transformative principal as it relates to literacy: Think about infusing literacy every single month. About Jennifer MooneJennifer joined RIF in 2011. In her current role as Vice President, Marketing & Partnerships, she oversees RIF’s relationships and partnerships with leading educational organizations, civic groups, and governmental officials. She is responsible for driving engagement and awareness, with oversight for development and implementation of many strategic and promotional initiatives. From marketing campaigns, to programmatic implementations to advocacy and awareness events, Jennifer has strategized, managed, and executed myriad initiatives during her tenure at RIF. Previously, she worked as part of RIF’s Community Team, focused on building capacity, building relationships, and driving engagement with local partners including school, school districts, youth and community organization, civic and volunteer group, and school-adjacent contacts. Before joining RIF, Jennifer worked as an Associate at a government relations and public affairs firm, serving the firm’s municipal and education clients on a broad range of legislative issues including energy, appropriations, public safety, infrastructure and transportation. We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

This episode is a special episode from UDL-Con, powered by CAST. CAST just released the Guidelines for (Universal Design for Learning) UDL 3.0, which you can find here. If you don't know what UDL is, it's a way to make learning accessible for everyone! You can check out more about the webinars here.Enjoy this special episode.Jethro Jones is joined by Alex Dang-Lozano from WestEd. They discuss the concept of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), the UDL Jam session and Joy Room, and the importance of unstructured interaction spaces at conferences. Alex shares insights into creating adaptable conference spaces and highlights the broad applications of UDL beyond the classroom. The episode concludes with information about WestEd and ways to connect with Alex and his team.Get in touch with Alex: Alozano@wested.org00:00 Introduction03:08 The Importance of Unstructured Spaces05:48 Designing an Adaptable Conference Room10:00 About WestEd11:45 Closing Remarks and Contact Information For more information about UDL, visit cast.org

This episode is a special episode from UDL-Con, powered by CAST. CAST just released the Guidelines for (Universal Design for Learning) UDL 3.0, which you can find here. If you don't know what UDL is, it's a way to make learning accessible for everyone! You can check out more about the webinars here.Enjoy this special episode.Jethro Jones speaks with Adam Lalor, Vice President at Landmark College. They discuss Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Landmark College's unique approach to educating neurodivergent students, and broader inclusivity in higher education. Get in touch with Adam: adamlalor@landmark.edu00:58 Welcome and Guest Introduction01:12 Landmark College's Unique Approach02:02 Exploring Neurodiversity03:27 Challenges of Focusing on Identity04:24 Integrating Identities and Advocacy06:50 Advice for Other Institutions09:35 Value of Universal Design for Learning For more information about UDL, visit cast.org

I'm excited to announce my Book Study. Get more info and join me here.In this episode of the Transformative Principal podcast, Gina Davenport, a seasoned educator with over 30 years of experience, shares her insights on creating a student-centered learning environment. Davenport emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships between teachers and students, highlighting the often-overlooked need for social-emotional learning (SEL) in secondary education.Davenport discusses the success of the AVID program at her school, describing it as "SEL on steroids." She also introduces the "Arundel Attributes," a framework designed to foster ownership and responsibility among students. The implementation of Restorative Practices led to a significant decrease in disciplinary issues, demonstrating the effectiveness of a caring and supportive school culture.The conversation also touches on the challenges faced by educators, including the misconception that students' frontal lobes are fully developed and the lack of support for secondary students. Davenport shares her experience of navigating a controversial incident involving a music video filmed at her school, emphasizing the importance of clear communication and decisive action.Finally, the podcast explores the positive impact of COVID-19 on SEL development and the innovative practice of onboarding freshmen with a "first practice graduation." Throughout the episode, Davenport's passion for education and commitment to student well-being shine through, offering valuable lessons for school leaders everywhere.Pattern for students with discipline behaviors - they were missing something. When they struggle with reading, you teach, when they struggle with math, you teach, when they struggle with Teachers and students were missing out on building relationships. We’re under the misconception that their frontal lobe has developed. There’s not a lot of support for secondary students. They want to teach their subject, not their students. People lose their jobs because they can’t get along with other people. Formative Five podcast interview with the author. AVID Program as the helpers for creating the program. AVID is SEL on steroids. What attributes should a successful student have in our school? Arundel Attributes - OwnershipBrainstorm and share how the attributes will be applied to their day-to-day lifeThe Arundel WayHow you can tell when kids are really taking it to heart. Kids who are struggling don’t get the experiences that help them learn resilience. How COVID was beneficial for the school and the SEL development of students. It’s hard to be a jerk when you care about someone. Onboarding students to the high school, first practice graduation on first day of school as freshmen - pledge, swag, and tour. Students teach SEL lessons with the teacher as backup. The Music Video disaster.How it went downGina was already being moved to a different school before this was happening. On being instructed to not comment. Mistake was not escorting the student out. Gina and Larry KingAbout Gina DavenportWith over 30 years of experience in the field of education, Gina Davenport is most proud of her work as the principal of a diverse suburban high school that is truly student centered. By employing Restorative Practices, discipline referrals dropped to under 50 per year for a student population of over 1,700 with less than 15 out of school suspensions each year since 2021. In this learning community, adults and students share ownership to build a culture of trust, respect, and authentic caring. Gina leverages student voice as a cornerstone of a positive learning environment.  Her school boasts a 96% graduation rate. Davenport is currently pursuing her doctorate in Educational Leadership for a Change Population at Notre Dame of Maryland University.  To participate in her study of principals’ perspectives on student voice as a culturally responsive leadership practice, please complete the survey linked here.  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5ZDCT59Connect with Gina On LinkedIn We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

This episode is a special episode from UDL-Con, powered by CAST. CAST just released the Guidelines for (Universal Design for Learning) UDL 3.0, which you can find here. If you don't know what UDL is, it's a way to make learning accessible for everyone! You can check out more about the webinars here.Enjoy this special episode.Jethro Jones interviews Mirko Chardin, the keynote speaker at the UDL Conference. Together, they discuss Universal Design for Learning (UDL), transformative educational moments, and the importance of ensuring that education is accessible and relevant for all students. They discuss Chardin's personal experiences, innovative teaching methods, and the necessity of preparing the next generation for leadership and decision-making.Get in touch with Mirko: Mirko@novakeducation.com00:00 Introduction to the Special Episode and UDL Conference00:49 Welcoming Guest Speaker Mirko Chardin01:31 Mirko Chardin Shares His Transformative Educational Moment02:41 The Concept of Being a Ruckus Maker in Education04:11 Encouraging Student Expression Through Writing09:11 Empowering the Next Generation to Make Decisions16:05 Conclusion and How to Connect with Mirko Chardin For more information about UDL, visit cast.org

This episode is a special episode from UDL-Con, powered by CAST. CAST just released the Guidelines for (Universal Design for Learning) UDL 3.0, which you can find here. If you don't know what UDL is, it's a way to make learning accessible for everyone! You can check out more about the webinars here.Enjoy this special episode.Jethro Jones interviews Kelli Suding and Michelle Soriano, technical assistant specialists at CAST. They discuss their roles in supporting educators with accessibility and universal design for learning (UDL), the significance of storytelling in education, the importance of UDL-Con, and the value of both engagement and entertainment in learning environments.Get in touch with Michelle: Msoriano@cast.orgGet in touch with Kelli: Ksuding@cast.org00:00 Introduction to UDL Con and Guests01:06 Michelle Soriano on Technical Assistance01:32 Kelli Suding on Her Role and Background02:02 Explaining Technical Assistance04:01 Importance of Storytelling in Education07:51 The Joy Lab and Its Impact05:43 Why Attend UDL Con?10:29 Closing Remarks and Contact Information For more information about UDL, visit cast.org