Ep 11: Teaching compassion in schools; employers value creativity; Utah's tech education leadership

This week, Ryan talks about giving students more opportunities for personal essay writing throughout their K-12 careers to improve writing skills and present a valuable opportunity for teachers to get to know their students better. Sarah talks about a traumatic experience at school, underscoring the critical importance of CPR training and the implementation of life safety education within schools. Tune in!

Don't just listen, join the conversation! Tweet us at @AcademicaMedia or with the hashtag #BigIdeasinEducation with questions or new topics you want to see discussed.

Articles:

https://www.edutopia.org/article/importance-personal-essay-high-school?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=Winter+24&utm_id=Winter24&utm_term=student+personal+essay&utm_content=practitioner

https://www.local10.com/news/local/2023/12/15/pembroke-pines-teen-who-suffered-cardiac-arrest-returns-to-school-to-meet-staff-who-saved-his-life/

https://www.projectadam.com/ProjectADAM/Our-Team

Hosts: Ryan Kairalla (@ryankair) ; Sarah Boulos Fye (@readwithfye)
Producer: Ross Ulysse

This week, Sarah talks about a Khan Academy partnership due to learning loss which provides intensive mathematics professional development for educators, where teachers receive additional support, professional development, and weekly virtual mentorship sessions to improve mathematic instruction. Ryan talks about the importance of “feedback on feedback,” in which principals or session leaders prioritize following through on the information they receive from teachers to create a more functional workplace and a greater sense of belonging. Tune in!

Don't just listen, join the conversation! Tweet us at @AcademicaMedia or with the hashtag #BigIdeasinEducation with questions or new topics you want to see discussed.

Articles:
https://www.eseanetwork.org/sched/E24/session/computer-assisted-learning-mentoring-and-the-future-of-personalized-instructionred
https://www.edutopia.org/article/school-administrators-feedback-process

Hosts: Ryan Kairalla (@ryankair); Sarah Boulos Fye (@readwithfye)
Producer: Ross Ulysse

This week, Ryan talks about the legislative landscape as some lawmakers push for a ban on college admissions preferences for "legacies"—students with familial ties to alumni or donors of the institution. Sarah talks about resources available to commemorate Black History Month, encouraging everyone to engage in research to further amplify their understanding of this significant cultural celebration. Tune in! 

Don't just listen, join the conversation! Tweet us at @AcademicaMedia or with the hashtag #BigIdeasinEducation with questions or new topics you want to see discussed.

Articles:

https://asalh.org/festival/
https://thenewtropic.com/miami-floridas-black-history/ https://www.miamiandbeaches.com/things-to-do/history-and-heritage/miamis-african-american-caribbean
https://www.the74million.org/article/virginia-dems-call-for-immediate-ban-on-legacy-admissions/

Hosts: Ryan Kairalla (@ryankair)
Producer: Ross Ulysse

This week, Ryan sits with Ann Garcia, certified financial planner and the author of “How to Pay For College”. On this episode, Ann talks about her work in the area of financial planning and effective communication strategies for students navigating the complexities of college financing. Ann also talks about common mistakes families make when saving for college and guidance that schools should provide to help students seeking scholarship opportunities. Tune in!

You can also find out more about our guest’s work by www.thecollegefinanciallady.com

Don't just listen, join the conversation! Tweet us at @AcademicaMedia or with the hashtag #BigIdeasinEducation with questions or new topics you want to see discussed.
Hosts: Ryan Kairalla (@ryankair)
Producer: Ross Ulysse

This week, Ryan talks about how teachers can use neuroscience to help capture their student’s attention when introducing new topics to them in class. Sarah talks about critical thinking as a powerful tool designed to elevate the learning experience in the classroom through five instructional approaches to foster deeper thinking in students. Tune in!

Don't just listen, join the conversation! Tweet us at @AcademicaMedia or with the hashtag #BigIdeasinEducation with questions or new topics you want to see discussed.

Articles:

https://www.edutopia.org/article/strategies-capture-students-attention


https://www.edutopia.org/article/critical-thinking-framework-for-elementary-school

Hosts: Ryan Kairalla (@ryankair); Sarah Boulos Fye (@readwithfye)
Producer: Ross Ulysse

This week, Sarah talks about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on chronic absenteeism rates and shares an innovative approach to tackle this issue through insightful home visits. Ryan talks about the use of cell phones in schools and how educators are navigating the challenges associated with limiting their usage in the classroom. Tune in! Don't just listen, join the conversation!

Tweet us at @AcademicaMedia or with the hashtag #BigIdeasinEducation with questions or new topics you want to see discussed.

Articles:

https://www.edweek.org/leadership/do-cellphone-bans-work-educators-share-their-experiences/2023/11?utm_source=tw&utm_medium=soc&utm_campaign=edit https://www.propublica.org/article/school-absenteeism-truancy-education-students

Hosts: Ryan Kairalla (@ryankair) Producer: Ross Ulysse

This week, Ryan sits with Jenna Edwards, the award-winning producer, actor, and author of Aggressive Optimism, a new novel about the coming-of-age story that explores themes of mental health and perseverance. On this episode, Jenna talks about “aggressive optimism” and what schools can do to instill a mindset of optimism in its students and teachers. Jenna also talks about distinguishing aggressive optimism and toxic positivity in the K-12 sector. Tune in!

You can find out more about her work by visiting www.jennaedwards.com

Don't just listen, join the conversation! Tweet us at @AcademicaMedia or with the hashtag #BigIdeasinEducation with questions or new topics you want to see discussed.

Hosts: Ryan Kairalla (@ryankair) Producer: Ross Ulysse

This week, Ryan sits with Tammy and Marc Goldberg, two acclaimed math education innovators and the operators of Mathnasium learning centers throughout the Northeastern United States. On this episode, Tammy and Marc discuss the general state of mathematics education, shedding light on the common skill gaps observed in students that are hindering their progress in math. Our guests also talk about the importance of additional support beyond the classroom and offer strategies to address these issues for a more effective and positive learning experience in mathematics. Tune in!

Don't just listen, join the conversation! Tweet us at @AcademicaMedia or with the hashtag #BigIdeasinEducation with questions or new topics you want to see discussed.

Hosts: Ryan Kairalla (@ryankair)
Producer: Ross Ulysse

This week, Ryan sits with Joanna Smith-Griffin, the founder and CEO of AllHere, makers of the AllHere school-to-family digital communication platform. On this episode, Joanna talks about her involvement in education and in the ed-tech space. Joanna also talks about the impacts of chronic absenteeism and how AllHere strategically addresses this challenge, offering valuable insights into the platform's role in supporting student success. Tune in!

Don't just listen, join the conversation! Tweet us at @AcademicaMedia or with the hashtag #BigIdeasinEducation with questions or new topics you want to see discussed.

You can find out more about her work by visiting www.allhere.com

This week, Ryan sits with Sheryl Cababa, the Chief Design Officer at the Insights, Design and Development Studio Substantial. On this episode, Sheryl talks about the difference between systems thinking and design thinking and sheds light on how they can revolutionize learning experiences. Sheryl also emphasizes the practical application of leveraging research and storytelling as powerful tools to empower historically under-resourced communities. Tune in!

Don't just listen, join the conversation! Tweet us at @AcademicaMedia or with the hashtag #BigIdeasinEducation with questions or new topics you want to see discussed.

You can find out more about her work by visiting substantial.com/edtech.

Hosts: Ryan Kairalla (@ryankair); Sarah Boulos Fye (@readwithfye)
Producer: Ross Ulysse