ClassCast Podcast

Classcast Podcast Ep.075 features Cary Vipond and Kevin Cook, members of "The Cookout," a discussion group focusing on race relations and making positive change in the Loudoun County, Virginia community. Along with host Ryan Tibbens, they discuss the recent debates (and hysteria?) over critical race theory, equity training for school staff, anti-racism, and politics in public schools. Given Fox News' new obsession with Loudoun County Public Schools as well as the parent and political groups seeking to influence them, Cary, Kevin, and Ryan agreed it was time for reasonable people with first-hand experience in these schools and communities to have a reasonable discussion.Cary Vipond, a long-time history and social science teacher, football coach, and father, launched "The Cookout" in the aftermath of George Floyd's murder.  He assembled a group of Black and white men, including community leaders, entrepreneurs, clergy, teachers, and students, to share perspectives and ideas, first to help one another understand the racial dynamics at play in the country, and then to take actions to improve local government, business, and schools for Black people. ClassCast Podcast host Ryan Tibbens was invited by Cary to join the group when it was formed. Kevin Cook, a certified project manager, coach, and father, joined the group soon afterward and has been a thoughtful, vocal participant in the group's efforts. Camryn Thompson (Ep.031) has also participated in The Cookout. Table of Contents (*highlights)0:00-7:57 -- The Cookout & Local Efforts Against Racism7:57-9:55 -- Educate Ignorance; Punish Malice *9:55-26:36 -- Shifting Mindsets & Community Reactions to Anti-Racist Teaching **26:36-34:00 --Kevin's Experiences as a Black Father34:00-48:04 -- Race, Anti-racism, & "CRT" in the Classroom **48:04-54:21 -- Why We Must Have Tough Conversations54:21-59:18 -- Race Education: Completing the Thought *59:18-1:06:40 -- Seeking (& Silencing) Black Perspectives1:06:40-1:12:17 -- The Intersection of Mental Health, Racism, & Politics *1:12:17-1:20:25 -- What Can Schools Do to End Racsim?1:20:25-1:31:09 -- Final Wrap Up & Book Recommendations​​​The ClassCast Podcast streams on all major platforms, including iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Stitcher, and more.  You can also find us on YouTube and at www.ClassCastPodcast.com.  Be sure to like, subscribe, follow, share, and comment wherever you listen.  Leave a comment below to let us know what you think of the discussion and if you have any questions!Support the show (http://paypal.me/TibbensEST)! Donations -- large and small -- help keep this podcast independent!Support the show

ClassCast Podcast Ep.074 features Al Kingsley -- CEO of NetSupport Inc., school leader & administrator in the United Kingdom, and author of the hit new book My Secret #EdTech Diary -- speaking with host Ryan Tibbens about his career in educational technology, what he's learned by leading his own schools, how the pandemic has changed education, why personal reflection is so important, why #EdTech really is for everyone, and more. Al's book "gives an insider's view of education technology historically and for the post-pandemic future." With a career in technology that spans over three decades, and with experiences launching and leading great schools, Al is uniquely positioned to help teachers and school administrators better understand the value of education technology, how to leverage it, and why common sense adoption and professional development practices ultimately lead to better education and happier teachers. From focusing on students to reflecting on professional practices, from digital citizenship to data security, Kingsley and Tibbens address the most important ideas behind #EdTech.Table of Contents (*highlights)0:00-3:15 -- Intro to Al Kingsley & My Secret #Edtech Diary3:15-12:15 -- Tech Adoption for Teachers and Districts **12:15-19:00 -- Improving #EdTech by Improving Professional Development & Relationships *19:00-31:02 --Pandemic Schooling, Innovation, & Reflection31:02-37:04 -- Al's Education & Entry into School Leadership37:04-50:35 -- Assessment, Reflection, & #EdTech for Success *50:35-1:03:57 -- Student Privacy & Data Security1:03:57-1:16:19 -- Al's Ideal School *1:16:19-1:24:16 -- Final Thoughts, Book/Movie Recs, & Wrap-Up​​​The ClassCast Podcast streams on all major platforms, including iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Stitcher, and more.  You can also find us on YouTube and at www.ClassCastPodcast.com.  Be sure to like, subscribe, follow, share, and comment wherever you listen.  Leave a comment below to let us know what you think of the discussion and if you have any questions!Support the show (http://paypal.me/TibbensEST)! Donations -- large and small -- help keep this podcast independent! Support the show

ClassCast Podcast Ep.073 -- Host Ryan Tibbens ruminates on how efforts to standardize, scale, and reproduce great teaching ultimately lead to dummy-proofing, to treating teachers like dummies who need scripts and Choose-Your-Own-Adventure styled lesson plans. This solo talk was recorded in response to Ep.072, the #EduPodlooza Innovation Roundtable, in which participants addressed concerns with micromanagement, groupthink, mass appeal, and more. If you believe that great schooling requires great teaching, or if you believe that the key to improving education is to improve teacher quality, this talk is for you. National teacher shortage? The answer is here. Do teachers want more money? Yes. But would most good teachers be willing to accept a smaller raise if accompanied by greater autonomy? ALSO YES. Listen, then respond. Drop a comment below or email readthinkwritespeak@yahoo.com to get involved in the discussion.  The ClassCast Podcast streams on all major platforms, YouTube, and at ClassCastPodcast.com! Support the show (http://paypal.me/TibbensEST)! Your $2.22 donation keeps this discussion alive! Support the show

Episode 072, the first of Season 3, features a great segment from the "Innovation Roundtable," the first group discussion from the 1st annual #Edupodlooza, an all-day education-podcast marathon in which teachers from around the world talked about improving schools, podcasting, and hot topics, with a few games and creative elements mixed in.  The guys over at the Unprofessional Development Podcast hosted the event and did amazing work all day.  The full innovation discussion will be available at 8pm on 7/25 at ClassCastPodcast.com and on YouTube so that you can hear what innovative ideas (and hilarious exchanges) preceded this wrap-up, but the final parts of this discussion are the perfect way to launch Season 3. Host Ryan Tibbens asks participants about a unifying theme from their previous comments -- making school less like school -- and how we can use that concept to make meaningful improvements.  You'll hear some great ideas from Mike Yates (Schoolish Podcast & Teach For America's Reinvention Lab), Gerardo Munoz (2021 Colorado Teacher of the Year & secondary social studies teacher), and other all-star teachers and podcasters on the panel, including Mealey & Tudisco (Unprofessional Development), Batsheva Frankel (Overthrowing Education), Toria Claire (Tiny Voice Talks), and Sandrine Hope (Step into Mondays).  After a deep, critical discussion of changing school, this episode ends with a light-hearted game and plenty of laughs. Watch for the full roundtable discussion soon, and let us know what you think about this talk and how to make school less like school (and better overall)! WELCOME TO SEASON 3 OF THE CLASSCAST PODCAST! Since launching in July 2019, ClassCast Podcast episodes have been downloaded and streamed nearly 13,000 times! From discussions with former students to international authors and thought leaders, from local community organizers to acclaimed educators and experts around the globe, host Ryan Tibbens has worked tirelessly to record and share purposeful conversations about the philosophies, policies, pedagogies, and people that can make formal education great.  Season 3 will include a few shake-ups and new elements, most notably VIDEO.  While all previous ClassCast episodes are available to stream on YouTube, they were just audio with an accompanying slideshow. From now on, nearly all episodes will be available with real video of participants engaging in discussion. Of course, audio-only streams will continue to be available on iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, and most other podcast services. Support the show

ClassCast Podcast Ep.085 features Sonny Thadani, CEO & Co-Founder of Robin, discussing social-emotional learning, mindfulness, the value of personal/life coaching, and how we can serve students' and teachers' emotional needs as we strive to improve education.  Sonny initially found success as a realtor and business consultant, but a series of important personal experiences compelled him to shift paths and seek opportunities to support students (and teachers).  Initially, after forging relationships with families from Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT, Sonny became interested in social-emotional learning and supporting mental health; he then became a father and had a transformational experience with a personal life coach and saw the potential for coaching in schools. Now, in his role as CEO of Robin, a cutting-edge social-emotional learning and coaching program, Sonny is doing everything he can to promote mindfulness, peace, and productivity in schools across the country. If you are interested in making SEL work for students, teachers, and communities around you, don't miss Sonny's coaching-based approach.You can learn more about Robin at my-robin.com, on Twitter @robin_stories, on Instagram @robin_stories, or by contacting Sonny directly.Table of Contents (*highlights)0:00-7:12 -- Intro to Sonny Thadani, Robin, & Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)7:12-11:57 -- Making SEL Work for Students: Relationships & Voices *11:57-19:23 -- Making SEL Work for Teachers: Buy-In & Support ** 19:23-26:50 -- Flexible Curricula & Phasing-In Change26:50-35:50 -- Student & Faculty Input in SEL Implementation **35:50-41:31 -- Sonny as a Student & SEL as a Core Skill *41:31-54:07 -- The Purpose of School According to Sonny & Sonny's Ideal School54:07-58:19 -- Upcoming Goals for Robin58:19-1:03:44 -- SEL for Teachers **1:03:44-1:10:48 -- Final Wrap-Up & Sonny's Book Recs​​​The ClassCast Podcast streams on all major platforms, including iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Stitcher, and more.  You can also find us on YouTube and at www.ClassCastPodcast.com.  Be sure to like, subscribe, follow, share, and comment wherever you listen.  Leave a comment below to let us know what you think of the discussion and if you have any questions!Support the show (http://paypal.me/TibbensEST)! ​Donations -- large and small -- help keep this podcast independent!Support the show

ClassCast Podcast Ep.084 features Jeff Harris, President and Co-Founder of Xello, discussing college and career planning, supporting students' long-term goals, and the concept (and reality) of "future ready" students.  Jeff and host Ryan Tibbens discuss their own experiences with past versions of "career planning," why talking about and structuring long-term planning is more important than ever, and how services like Xello can serve students without over-burdening teachers and counselors. This discussion goes beyond shallow platitudes about being "future ready" and digs into how local communities and students' experiences shape their goals and options, how classical/liberal/traditional schools may need college and career planning services even more than public and STEM schools, and even how school divisions go about testing and adopting cutting edge edtech like Xello. If you are a counselor, special education transition teacher, career/technical education teacher, parent, or community member concerned about how we're preparing students for their lives beyond high school, this episode is a must-listen. You can learn more about Jeff Harris and Xello at Xello.world and through their social media accounts, including on Twitter and YouTube. Table of Contents (*highlights)0:00-8:33 -- Intro to Xello, Jeff Harris, & Helping Students Find Their Futures8:33-16:11 -- Purpose & Relevance: Student Engagement in Edtech & Career Planning *16:11-24:35 -- Who Is Involved in Most Edtech Adoptions? 24:35-26:50 -- How to Implement Xello26:50-34:57 -- The Role of College/Career Readiness in Private & Public Schools *34:57-39:30 -- The Purpose of School According to Jeff Harris39:30-45:07 -- The Dangers of College/Career Advising & Advice **45:07-55:04 -- Jeff Harris, the Student Who Needed & Created College/Career Planning **55:04-1:07:16 -- Jeff's Ideal School & the Meaning of "Future Ready" *1:07:16-1:19:24 -- Final Wrap-Up & Jeff's Book/Movie Recs​​​The ClassCast Podcast streams on all major platforms, including iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Stitcher, and more.  You can also find us on YouTube and at www.ClassCastPodcast.com.  Be sure to like, subscribe, follow, share, and comment wherever you listen.  Leave a comment below to let us know what you think of the discussion and if you have any questions!Support the show (http://paypal.me/TibbensEST)! ​Donations -- large and small -- help keep this podcast independent!Support the show

ClassCast Podcast Ep.083 features Jessica Kirkland, a high school English teacher in Loudoun County, Virginia (and Twitter superstar), talking shop and exchanging ideas about improving schools, building relationships, navigating the pandemic, and much more with host Ryan Tibbens. In this laidback, funny, yet insightful discussion, you'll hear Jess proclaim that she's "pro-nonsense," share her strategies for connecting with students, divulge her secret wish to indoctrinate students (with a love for trees), and much more. Part of what makes this discussion so refreshing is that Jess has nothing to promote, nothing to sell. She has amassed over 11,000 Twitter followers in around three years just by being honest, thoughtful, and likeable -- and it all shines through in this discussion. Whether you're looking for honest perspectives on the current state of schools, a funny conversation between coworkers, or ideas about how to scale your social media presence (Jess says, "All of my demons are in the drafts"), you will love this episode.You can learn more about Jess and follow her on Twitter @JKirk___ (three underscores, LOL). Table of Contents (*highlights)0:00-5:00 -- Intro to Jessica Kirkland (& Her Twitter Fame)5:00-14:20 -- Relationships & the Purpose of School According to Jess **14:20-20:13 -- Finding Our Places during the Pandemic * 20:13-27:08 -- Are Schools Still in Panic Mode?27:08-34:57 -- Forging Relationships through Masks & Screens **34:57-41:15 -- Jess Kirkland's Experience as a Student41:15-46:44 -- Should Teachers Love Their Students?46:44-54:33 -- Does Teaching Diverse Students Require Diverse Personas? *54:33-1:07:59 -- Jess's Ideal School: Specialization & Interdisciplinary Studies **1:07:59-1:15:29 -- Is Change Impossible in Public Education? *1:15:29-1:22:16 -- Jess's Outlook for 20221:22:16-1:36:31 -- Jess's Final Thoughts, Book/Movie Recs, & Wrap-Up *​​​The ClassCast Podcast streams on all major platforms, including iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Stitcher, and more.  You can also find us on YouTube and at www.ClassCastPodcast.com.  Be sure to like, subscribe, follow, share, and comment wherever you listen.  Leave a comment below to let us know what you think of the discussion and if you have any questions!Support the show (http://paypal.me/TibbensEST)! ​Donations -- large and small -- help keep this podcast independent!Support the show

ClassCast Podcast Ep.082 features host Ryan Tibbens reflecting on his experiences in an all-new distance learning program, challenges teachers faced in 2021, and how educators can move forward into 2022 with optimism and determination.In many ways, distance learning represents one of the most common forms of innovation in schools today. Teachers and students must leverage technology, plan and perform with increased precision, and traditional schooling must be reimagined to fit 21st century tools and incredibly diverse settings. Students enroll in distance learning because they prefer the online format, have physical or mental health concerns, desire greater flexibility in scheduling, or want to travel. Teachers face all the regular pressures of school, but now the technology is even more important, the students' environments and home lives are more diverse (and more important), and engagement becomes paramount to success. Nearly halfway through the first year of non-COVID caused distance learning, host Ryan Tibbens shares his experiences and goals for this great new opportunity.​And, since early 2020, we've been talking about and fretting over the pandemic, delivering quality instruction through various formats, responding to diverse needs, ever-increasing administrative control, and even "culture wars," all of which have tested the creativity, ability, and determination of educators and students around the world. Shortly after returning to school for the 2021-2022 school year, unprecedented tales of teacher burnout, turnover, and anxiety surfaced that should concern all community stakeholders.  How can we do better (and feel better) this year and beyond?  How can we feel fulfillment in a job that is harder and more scrutinized than ever?  The ClassCast Podcast streams on all major platforms, including iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Stitcher, and more.  You can also find us on YouTube and at www.ClassCastPodcast.com.  Be sure to like, subscribe, follow, share, and comment wherever you listen.  Leave a comment below to let us know what you think of the discussion and if you have any questions!Support the show (http://paypal.me/TibbensEST)! ​Donations -- large and small -- help keep this podcast independent!Support the show

ClassCast Podcast Ep.081 features Mr. Tyler Rablin, an instructional technology coach, high school English teacher, and anti-grading crusader in Washington, sharing his perspectives and research on grading and assessment with host Ryan Tibbens.  This is among the all-time best episodes of the ClassCast Podcast because Tyler offers insights and ideas that challenge conventional wisdom, that put students first, and that show listeners a path to better formal education.  By reforming grading, we can increase learning, boost confidence, improve culture, and help teachers to handle the burden of feedback.This is an instant-classic. Listen on the podcast service of your choice, and be sure to like, follow, subscribe, write a review, and share with friends! You can hear more from Tyler Rablin on  Twitter @Mr_Rablin, LinkedIn, and his website.Table of Contents (*highlights)0:00-11:31 -- Intro to Tyler Rablin & Crusading Against Grading *11:31-15:27 -- How Teachers & Parents React to Grading Innovation15:27-22:48 -- Ungrading: How It Works ** 22:48-29:38 -- Gender in Grading & Student Self-Assessment29:38-42:31 -- Grading's Impact on Confidence & Growth **42:31-55:59 -- Is Grading a Culture Problem? **55:59-1:10:12 -- The Purpose of School According to Tyler Rablin *1:10:12-1:17:32 -- Tyler's Ideal School1:17:32-1:28:14 -- Why Is 2021 So Hard? *1:28:14-1:38:29 -- Tyler's Book/Movie Recs & Final Wrap-Up​​​The ClassCast Podcast streams on all major platforms, including iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Stitcher, and more.  You can also find us on YouTube and at www.ClassCastPodcast.com.  Be sure to like, subscribe, follow, share, and comment wherever you listen.  Leave a comment below to let us know what you think of the discussion and if you have any questions!Support the show (http://paypal.me/TibbensEST)! ​Donations -- large and small -- help keep this podcast independent!Support the show

ClassCast Podcast Ep.080 features Doug Roberts, the founder and CEO of the Institute for Education Innovation (IEI), speaking with host Ryan Tibbens about empowering educators, supporting superintendents, and connecting innovative education entrepreneurs with the schools and students they want to serve. After starting his career as a history/social studies teacher, Doug filled a variety of roles before launching IEI, which is a unique organization designed to support superintendents. Doug has strong feelings about empowering educators; hiring, training, and trusting great teachers; and giving excellent educational vendors, large and small, a level playing field to compete for contracts in a variety of school settings. Doug's recent work with superintendents has led to the creation of the Supes' Choice Awards, a contest and award program that is the first of its kind. Listeners will find Doug's focus on high quality service, pragmatism, and supporting students to be honest and refreshing. If you've ever been curious about how superintendents network, connect, and learn, or if you've ever wanted to better understand the complexities and difficulties facing the top educators in districts across the country, you'll love this discussion.  You can find Doug on Twitter and LinkedIn; IEI is also on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Table of Contents (*highlights)0:00-8:40 -- Intro to IEI & Doug Roberts/ Advice for Education Entrepreneurs8:40-10:44 -- The Value of Relationships w/ Students, Staff, & Vendors10:44-21:03 -- The Impact of Scale: Big vs Small Schools & Businesses * 21:03-29:26 -- 2021, Optics, & Scrutiny: The Impact of Politics in Schools **29:26-34:04 -- School Choice, Innovation, & Responsive Leadership34:04-45:05 -- Doug's Ideal School: Empowering Educators **45:05-50:44 -- The Purpose of School & Who Calls the Shots50:44-59:02 -- Supes' Choice Awards & Engaging with Superintendents *59:02-1:06:08 -- Wrap-Up &  Doug's Book/Movie Recs​​​The ClassCast Podcast streams on all major platforms, including iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Stitcher, and more.  You can also find us on YouTube and at www.ClassCastPodcast.com.  Be sure to like, subscribe, follow, share, and comment wherever you listen.  Leave a comment below to let us know what you think of the discussion and if you have any questions!Support the show (http://paypal.me/TibbensEST)! ​Donations -- large and small -- help keep this podcast independent!Support the show

ClassCast Podcast Ep.079 features host Ryan Tibbens talking about the correlation between centralized decision-making and the surge of superintendent and school board criticisms nationwide. Over the last few years, we've seen politicians, parents, and even teachers at school board meetings speak out, shout out, and even get thrown out. The complaints are as varied as Critical Race Theory, mask mandates, diverse reading lists, opening 5-days per week, gender/pronoun/bathroom policies, schools named after Confederate generals, social media use, and beyond. The one thing all these issues have in common is where the decisions are made -- at the top of the local (and sometimes state) public education hierarchy. As more and more decisions about curricular and pedagogical specifics are made at higher and higher levels, public concerns elevate, so what once would have been a quick meeting between a parent, teacher, and principal is now a loud diatribe in a public forum against bureaucrats who don't actually teach students. Too many teachers have lost autonomy in their work and faith in their systems.  Here's one teacher's take on why centralized decision-making processes have partially caused the political debates over schools and why they hurt teachers and students. The ClassCast Podcast streams on all major platforms, including iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Stitcher, and more.  You can also find us on YouTube and at www.ClassCastPodcast.com.  Be sure to like, subscribe, follow, share, and comment wherever you listen.  Leave a comment below to let us know what you think of the discussion and if you have any questions!Support the show (http://paypal.me/TibbensEST)! ​Donations -- large and small -- help keep this podcast independent!Support the show

ClassCast Podcast Ep.077 features Grant Schafer, the Supervisor of Community Connections for Loudoun County Public Schools. Working closely with Career & Technical Education, Computer Science Experiential Learning, and a few other specialized programs in the school system, Grant strives to connect community resources with individual teachers, students, and classrooms to make school-based learning as authentic as possible. His hard work, power skills (soft skills), and ever-growing rolodex make him an asset to the whole community because he fosters relationships between local businesses, non-profits, and schools. Host Ryan Tibbens met Grant, a fellow JMU Duke, at the 2021 Loudoun 40 Under 40 celebration where he was being recognized for his amazing work connecting public schools with community resources. (Ashley Tibbens -- Ep.021 -- was also among the honorees this year!)  If you are interested in project-based learning, making school more "authentic," getting involved in public education without becoming a teacher, or understanding how community members can work together to improve education, this discussion is for you.  You can learn more about Grant's work by following @LCPSpartner and @CommunityLCPS on Twitter. Table of Contents (*highlights)0:00-5:38 -- Intro to Grant Schafer & Community Connections5:38-13:31 -- Project-Based Learning, "Authenticity," & Grant's Rolodex **13:31-20:53 -- Loudoun 40 Under 40, Networking, & Community Buy-In *20:53-28:26 -- Grant's Education: James Madison University & Outreach Services28:26-37:48 -- The Future of Community Connections in Schools **37:48-47:25 -- The Purpose of School According to Grant47:25-50:44 -- Equity & Social-Emotional Learning as Job Skills *50:44-57:04 -- Grant's Ideal School57:04-1:07:06 -- The Inflexibility of Education Bureaucracy **1:07:06-1:14:58 -- Grant's Book Recommendations & Wrap-Up​ ​​​The ClassCast Podcast streams on all major platforms, including iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Stitcher, and more.  You can also find us on YouTube and at www.ClassCastPodcast.com.  Be sure to like, subscribe, follow, share, and comment wherever you listen.  Leave a comment below to let us know what you think of the discussion and if you have any questions!Support the show (http://paypal.me/TibbensEST)! Donations -- large and small -- help keep this podcast independent!Support the show

ClassCast Podcast Ep.076 features Simon Tang, a former student of host Ryan Tibbens, sharing his thoughts on school improvement, student choice, dual enrollment programs, post-high school plans, Dick Wolf TV shows, and much, much more. Throughout his public school career, Simon distinguished himself from most students by serving as a technology support specialist/paraprofessional in the school, forming close bonds with faculty members, challenging the status quo, earning top grades and thousands of dollars in scholarships, and wearing a totally awesome pocket protector. Simon shares his student (and semi-staff) views on school improvement, joining the US Navy, and how COVID affected his education, post-high school plans, and personal outlook. If you're interested in serious student perspectives, challenges to tradition, or people with the quirks and confidence to change the world, don't miss Episode 076 and Mr. Simon Tang! Table of Contents (*highlights)0:00-11:03 -- Meet Simon Tang *11:03-17:00 -- Dual Enrollment, Rigorous Classes, & Scholarships **17:00-25:58 -- Simon'ns Start in the United States Navy25:58-30:02 -- The Purpose of School: Indoctrination or Self-Improvement? **30:02-35:13 -- I.T., Specialization, & Access to Education35:13-39:22 -- What's the Deal with Textbooks?39:22-53:50 -- The Importance of Student Choice & Engagement *53:50-58:01 -- The GED, Graduation, and Opportunity58:01-1:12:00 -- Simon's Ideal School: Choice & Specialization **1:12:00-1:17:00 -- Would You Send Your Kids to These Schools?1:17:00-1:27:24 -- Standardized Testing, Project-Based Learning, & Power Skills **1:27:24-1:32:00 -- Hot Topics, Hot Seat1:32:00-1:52:32 -- Simon's Book, Movie, & TV Recommendations; Final Thoughts; & Wrap-Up ​​​The ClassCast Podcast streams on all major platforms, including iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Stitcher, and more.  You can also find us on YouTube and at www.ClassCastPodcast.com.  Be sure to like, subscribe, follow, share, and comment wherever you listen.  Leave a comment below to let us know what you think of the discussion and if you have any questions!Support the show (http://paypal.me/TibbensEST)! Donations -- large and small -- help keep this podcast independent!Support the show

ClassCast Podcast Ep.071, the FINAL episode of Season 2, features college professor, education enthusiast, and author Christina (Tina) Groeger, whose new book -- The Education Trap: Schools and the Remaking of Inequality.  Tina and host Ryan Tibbens discuss school's limited ability to affect social inequality, how quality education relates to social mobility, project-based learning, unschooling, and much, much more. Tina is a professor at Lake Forest College, a graduate of Harvard University, and a thoughtful, sincere student of American education and its social impacts. If you are interested in equality/inequality, opportunity, the American Dream, or improving our education system, then this episode is for you! ​Table of Contents (*highlights)0:00-4:03 -- Intro to Tina & The Education Trap 4:03-12:22 -- The Purpose of School According to Tina & "Defunding" Schools *12:22-21:08 -- Economic & Political Influences on Education, Inequality, & Social Mobility21:08-28:13 --Knowledge, Merit, & Mobility *28:13-36:33 -- Vocational vs Liberal Education & Local Control *36:33-47:41 -- Tina's Ideal School47:41-57:43 -- Unschooling, Project-Based Learning, & Organizing *57:43-1:10:31 -- School Choice, Unions, and Improving Schools1:10:31-1:16:59 -- Final Thoughts, Book/Movie Recs, & Wrap-Up​​​The ClassCast Podcast streams on all major platforms, including iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Stitcher, and more.  You can also find us on YouTube and at www.ClassCastPodcast.com.  Be sure to like, subscribe, follow, share, and comment wherever you listen.  Leave a comment below to let us know what you think of the discussion and if you have any questions!Support the show (http://paypal.me/TibbensEST)! If every listener made a one-time donation of $2-3, the podcast would be funded for the year! Support the show

ClassCast Podcast Ep.070 features intervention specialist, special education teacher, and author Melinda Arnost discussing inclusion, social-emotional learning, differentiation, and how good relationships combine with common sense to create functional classrooms and effective teachers.  Melinda recently published her first book, Empowering Inclusion: The Tool Teachers Need to Help All Students Succeed. In this talk with host Ryan Tibbens, Melinda shares tips for team-teaching, demands consistent scheduling, explains how relationships enable effective differentiation, talks about her great new book, and more. If you have any interest in special education, social-emotional learning, inclusion, differentiation, team-teaching, or making sure that all students are learning, you'll find TONS of useful ideas and perspectives here.  If you're interested in hearing more from Melinda Arnost, follow her on Facebook and Instagram! If you're interested in hearing more about social-emotional learning on the ClassCast Podcast, check out Ep.035!Table of Contents (*highlights)0:00-0:39 -- #Edupodlooza Promo0:39-2:38 -- Intro to Melinda & the Role of "Inclusion Specialist")2:38-5:57 -- The Purpose of School According to Melinda *5:57-12:17 --Empowering Inclusion: The Tools Teacher Need to Help...12:17-19:11 -- Situational SEL & Inclusion Implementation **19:11-21:20 -- How Much SEL Is Enough?21:20-26:06 -- Formal vs Informal: Differentiation, SEL, & What Great Teachers Do **26:06-38:10 -- Differentiation and Inclusion: What Teachers Can Do *38:10-45:24 -- Melinda's Education & The Teachers We Need45:24-51:35 -- Melinda's Ideal School & Flexible Spaces51:35-57:44 -- Final Thoughts, Relationships, & SEL's Popularity57:44-1:05:00 -- Melinda's Book/Movie Recs & Wrap-Up​​​The ClassCast Podcast streams on all major platforms, including iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Stitcher, and more.  You can also find us on YouTube and at www.ClassCastPodcast.com.  Be sure to like, subscribe, follow, share, and comment wherever you listen.  Leave a comment below to let us know what you think of the discussion and if you have any questions!Support the show (http://paypal.me/TibbensEST)! If every listener made a one-time donation of $2-3, the podcast would be funded for the year! Support the show

ClassCast Podcast Ep.069 features host Ryan Tibbens reflecting on the 2020-2021 school year, pandemic-related changes in schools, 4-day work weeks, and a HUGE career shift -- to 100% virtual instruction. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected everyone differently, but one thing is certain -- it is has affected everyone.  Tibbens has experienced loss in his family, a massive shift at work, and a sea-change in education beliefs. This quick solo talk starts with a brief promo of #Edupodlooza (check it out June 27) and quickly gets into teachers' experiences in 2020-2021. A deep reflection on a pandemic mantra -- "If not now, why ever? If now, why not always?" -- follows and is accompanied by a quick justification of a 4-day school week.  This episode ends with perhaps the most important part (bury the lead much?) -- Ryan Tibbens' shift to 100% synchronous virtual instruction in the 2021-2022 school year, the 16th year of his career.  If you're interested in innovation, education trends, school choice, or a "return to normal" in schools, then spend a few minutes on this episode and the very real experiences it presents.  Table of Contents (*highlights)0:00-0:52 -- #Edupodlooza Promo0:52-10:49 -- 2020-2021 Recap10:49-15:21 -- If not now, why ever? If now, why not always?*15:21-19:04 -- 4 Day Weeks or Bust19:04-32:49 -- Big Changes: Tibbens Goes Virtual***​​The ClassCast Podcast streams on all major platforms, including iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Stitcher, and more.  You can also find us on YouTube and at www.ClassCastPodcast.com.  Be sure to like, subscribe, follow, share, and comment wherever you listen.  Leave a comment below to let us know what you think of the discussion and if you have any questions!If every listener made a one-time donation of $2-3, the podcast would be funded for the year!  Support the show

EP.068 -- CHRIS RADER -- HIGHER ED ABROAD, STEM, & MAKING HIGH SCHOOL MORE VALUABLE5/24/20210 Comments ClassCast Podcast Ep.068 features Chris Rader, a former student of host Ryan Tibbens, sharing his experiences and perspectives on education and how to better serve students.  Since graduating from high school in 2012, Chris has found immense success in the fields of chemistry and material science at Virginia Tech and now as a Ph.D. student the Adolphe Merkle Institute in Switzerland. Aside from groundbreaking work with cellulose and creating environmentally friendly packaging, Chris also has some great ideas about how we can improve K12 education in the United States to better prepare young people for college, career, and the independent critical thinking we all aspire to. Chris's experiences in lab sciences have not only shaped his rare and valuable skill set; they've also helped him to better understand what education can -- and can't -- do for young people in the current paradigm. If you are interested in improving STEM in K12, learning more about chemistry and materials science, helping young people achieve more on their own, studying abroad for higher ed, or even the significance of athletics for high school students, this is a discussion you won't want to miss. For more information, leave a comment at www.ClassCastPodcast.com or contact Chris Rader directly via email, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn. Table of Contents (*highlights)0:00-5:40 -- Intro to Chris Rader & His Unique Education Path5:40-14:18 -- Depth, Rigor, & Project-Based Learning in HS vs College *14:18-16:49 -- Why Get a Ph.D.?16:49-25:52 -- Patents, Saving the World, & Chris's Work in Material Science *25:52-45:25 -- Improving American High Schools, Career Prep, & Grading ** 45:25-59:32 -- Chris's Ideal School & Learning by Doing *59:32-1:07:04 -- The Value of Athletics in Human Development1:07:04-1:12:30 -- Study Abroad: Make It a Priority1:12:30-1:21:24 -- Chris's Book & Movie Recs/ Final Wrap-Up​​The ClassCast Podcast streams on all major platforms, including iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Stitcher, and more.  You can also find us on YouTube and at www.ClassCastPodcast.com.  Be sure to like, subscribe, follow, share, and comment wherever you listen.  Leave a comment below to let us know what you think of the discussion and if you have any questions!Support the show

ClassCast Podcast Ep.067 features Peter Hubbell, founder & CEO of Apply : you, discussing personal branding, storytelling, improving education, and helping recent college graduates to secure their first jobs through innovative interviewing techniques.  Apply : you runs a series of practical workshops that apply Madison Avenue branding and storytelling techniques to help graduates market their way to their first job in any career. Peter forged an admirable career in advertising before shifting his focus to helping young people secure gainful employment. He shares his views on educating "the whole child," the importance of athletics, the value of boarding schools, and more.  You can learn more about Peter Hubbell and Apply : you on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Table of Contents (*highlights)0:00-3:53 -- Intro to Peter Hubbell & 'Apply : you'3:53-8:25 -- Applicants: Stand Out to Win **8:25-11:53 -- Peter's Education11:53-17:45 -- The Purpose of Education According to Peter: Potential *17:45-23:45 -- How to Own Your Interview & the Moses of College Hockey * 23:45-27:36 -- Apply : you: Why Focus on College Grads?27:36-47:14 -- Personal Discovery, Branding, & Rhetoric **47:14-55:00 -- Peter's Ideal School: Boarding Schools & the Whole Child55:00-58:56 -- Academics & Athletics: Developing the Whole Child58:56-1:06:08 -- Books & Final Wrap-Up​​The ClassCast Podcast streams on all major platforms, including iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Stitcher, and more.  You can also find us on YouTube and at www.ClassCastPodcast.com.  Be sure to like, subscribe, follow, share, and comment wherever you listen.  Leave a comment below to let us know what you think of the discussion and if you have any questions!Support the show (http://paypal.me/TibbensEST)! If every listener made a one-time donation of $2-3, the podcast would be funded for the year! Support the show

ClassCast Podcast Ep.066 features Dr. Casey Jakubowski, a professor, author, and teacher from upstate New York sharing his views on education in the United States, our need for greater civic education and engagement, as well as how we can "#ChangeTheNarrative" about our school system's successes and failures. Casey has worked in K12 and higher ed., in humanities and STEM, in the classroom and in leadership roles. Through his long and varied career, he has gained unique perspectives on what our schools do, how they function, and what we can do to improve how we serve students and communities. From standardized testing to specialization, from civics to community influences, we cover it all. Casey also shares a heartfelt story of family, loss, and students rising to the occasion and making change in the world.  You can contact Casey on Twitter and LinkedIn or leave a comment below if you want to continue the conversation.  Table of Contents (*highlights)0:00-4:29 -- Intro to Casey Jakubowski4:29-12:43 -- The Purpose of School According to Casey (#ChangeTheNarrative) **12:43-15:23 -- "Defunding" Schools15:23-33:37 -- Casey's Ideal School & How to Get There *33:37-44:34 -- Standardized Testing, Opportunity Data, & "Learning Loss" *44:34-54:43 -- Humanities, STEM, & Real Human Stories54:43-1:02:17 -- How Politics Limits Schools *1:02:17-1:11:01 -- Book/Movie Recs & Wrap-Up​​The ClassCast Podcast streams on all major platforms, including iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Stitcher, and more.  You can also find us on YouTube and at www.ClassCastPodcast.com.  Be sure to like, subscribe, follow, share, and comment wherever you listen.   Leave a comment below to let us know what you think of the discussion and if you have any questions!Support the show

ClassCast Podcast Ep.065 features Dr. Sam Fecich, an education professor, author, speaker, and podcaster who works with pre-service teachers. She and host Ryan Tibbens discuss teacher preparation, how we can attract and train the best talent, why pedagogy and content both matter, and more. Sam's enthusiasm is infectious, so you're sure to find this episode both engaging and enlightening. Worried about the national teacher shortage? We cover it. Wondering how to help talented young people get into education? We cover that too. In addition to authoring two books designed to help pre-service and new teachers, Sam produces the Edumagic Podcast for pre-service teachers. She recently spoke with our host, Ryan Tibbens, on her show about purpose, priorities, and organization. Be sure to check out Edumagic!  You can contact Dr. Fecich on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and via her website. Table of Contents (*highlights)0:00-6:45 -- Intro to Dr. Sam Fecich6:45-11:04 -- The Purpose of School According to Sam11:04-16:29 -- Working with Pre-Service Teachers *16:29-23:26 -- Is Content King? Learning & Professional Development Needs **23:26-36:13 -- Addressing the National Teacher Shortage & Attracting New Teachers **36:13-45:15 -- Sam's Ideal School *45:15-49:43 -- Sam's Book & Movie Recs49:43-50:33 -- Wrap Up​​The ClassCast Podcast streams on all major platforms, including iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Stitcher, and more.  You can also find us on YouTube and at www.ClassCastPodcast.com.  Be sure to like, subscribe, follow, share, and comment wherever you listen.  Leave a comment below to let us know what you think of the discussion and if you have any questions!Support the show