1 FEB 2021 · How much can you get done in an hour, versus an entire day? When we try to push too much information through a small window, educators are often limited in their lesson plans and students sometimes can’t see the bigger picture. Switching from a traditional one-hour class model to a full day of interdisciplinary instruction can spark student engagement and ignite their expression. Today’s guests, Casey Ikeda and Jacob Janin, talk about the power of personalizing classes and collaborating to create interdisciplinary learning experiences. And they share examples of projects that connect students to passion and purpose. By taking an interdisciplinary approach and helping students overcome obstacles through student-teacher and community connections, and fostering agency, we can grow student engagement and set them up for success. About Casey Ikeda and Jacob Janin Casey Ikeda and Jacob Janin are teachers at Leadership Preparatory Academy in Seattle and members of the school’s leadership team. Casey teaches social studies and serves as community relations officer, and Jacob teaches English and is the chief learning officer. In their roles on the leadership team, they attend to the relationships of students and teachers beyond academic progression. They recently created a holistic report card system that includes student goal-setting and reflection, habits of success, and academic progress. Casey and Jacob have a long history together, from their time as Ultimate Frisbee rivals in high school to their success as a teaching team at Leadership Preparatory Academy. They know relationships and trust are key to student engagement, and they encourage students to draw on their experiences and extend them with new learning. Jump Through the Conversation: [2:00] How having good mentors inspired Casey to teach [4:05] Why and how Jacob relates to students who may be reluctant to write [5:52] Casey shares some of his students’ impactful, community-focused projects [8:53] Casey and Jacob discuss their history together and why they make a great team [14:06] Casey and Jacob on the struggles and rewards of using an interdisciplinary model [27:33] Casey’s Magic Wand: Remove barriers between teachers and students and connect on a personal level [28:27] Jacob’s Magic Wand: Every student and teacher has an hour of exercise and an hour of therapy before class every day [29:30] Maureen’s Corresponding Magic Wand: We all need to move more and attend to our personal wellbeing–whatever it takes to be centered, regulated, and ready to engage Links and Resources: https://educationevolution.org/43 Education Evolution https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/education-evolution/ Source: https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/43-interdisciplinary-learning-to-grow-student-engagement-with-casey-ikeda-and-jacob-janin

26 JAN 2021 · Success in school is too often only measured in metrics and test scores with little regard given to students’ emotional needs. There is, however, a direct correlation between wellbeing and overall performance. Through evidence-based programs like Restorative Practices (RP), Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS), Trauma-Informed Practices, and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), we can emotionally nurture students and create safe spaces for them to thrive. Today’s guest, Kristen Miller, is doing just that! She is empowering students, families, and schools to take a holistic look at education. Her work teaches communities how to invest in the student, not just their performance. We believe in all students feeling safe and loved! Listen in to find out how. About Kristen Miller: Following a three-year engineering career, Kristen Miller spent 13 years in education teaching predominantly high school mathematics, AVID, and Career Technical Education, and serving as a middle school vice principal in northern California. Seeing a huge need for high quality social and emotional interventions, systems, and supports, Miller created a youth empowerment organization, With Heart Project (WHP), to work alongside schools and districts promoting Social-Emotional Wellness (SEL), Restorative Practices (RP), and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). In her inaugural year, she partnered with a high poverty middle school in northern California to create and implement practices, processes, and procedures to decrease student suspension rates and increase academic achievement. Her results were remarkable. Her efforts yielded a 79% growth in Common Core Mathematics achievement, as well as a reduction in discipline and attendance infractions, an increase in GPA, and an increase in math and reading grade levels among at-risk students. Kristen currently resides in Sacramento, CA where she spends her time teaching youth positivity, confidence, perseverance, and coping skills through Empowerment Coaching. You can follow her and the With Heart Project on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Jump Through the Conversation: [2:08] Witnessing the positive results of social-emotional wellness (SEL) [3:20] The correlation between academic achievement and student wellness [6:38] Restorative Practices: Bringing Communities Together [10:20] Creating equity with positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) and multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) [14:04] Addressing students needs through adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) screening and trauma-informed practices [18:37] Kristen’s Magic Wand: Increase school funding and district training to create environments where students feel safe and supported [23:22] Maureen’s reflection on the communal impact of restorative justice [25:01] Revisiting PBIS Tier 1: “All students feeling loved and safe” Links and Resources: https://educationevolution.org/42 Education Evolution https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/education-evolution/ Source: https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/42-the-with-heart-project-with-kristen-miller

18 JAN 2021 · We know there is a need for systemic innovation within our schools, and the pandemic has made this more apparent than ever. But, is it a bad thing that our eyes are now open to the challenges of our post-COVID school system? What silver lining can there be among all of this? The surge in “pandemic pods,” micro-schools, and schools-within-a-school (SWAS) give us a glimpse into what we can expect for the future of schools in a post-pandemic world. We can look at this moment in history as a time of disruptive innovation for schools, changing the educational landscape in a big way. It’s not necessarily a good or a bad thing, but simply a time of change to fit the changing needs of our students. Listen in to learn more about disruptive innovation, what leaders in change we can look to, and how to begin creating that change together. Jump Through the Conversation: [2:47] A look at this moment in history [5:05] My hope that we regroup [8:01] Looking at the structure within the school differently [8:42] Create change together [9:15] Start with a mission [10:42] Unpacking Edgecombe County Schools’ graduate aims [14:10] A silver lining? Links and Resources: https://educationevolution.org/41 Education Evolution https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/education-evolution/ Source: https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/41-a-time-of-disruptive-innovation-for-schools

11 JAN 2021 · We all want to create change in our schools, but sometimes it can seem overwhelming. There’s so much that needs to be changed, but we have limited time, resources, and support. This doesn’t mean we should settle for systems that check off boxes. We still have the power to create meaningful, enriching learning experiences for our students. Today’s guest, Kyle Wagner, shares with us that sometimes, simple innovation is the most powerful thing we can do for our schools. Teachers: Don’t overthink it. Focus on what you can do for your students and what changes you do have the ability to make. And parents? Trust that your children’s teachers have the skill and ability to make these changes, and support them along the way. These simple innovations will have long-lasting ripple effects in both your students’ lives and in your community. About Kyle Wagner: Kyle Wagner is the founder and lead consultant for Transform Educational Consulting, an organization that empowers forward thinking schools to grow and develop socially, globally, and emotionally aware citizens. His work with project-based learning and leading the design of innovative learning experiences spans 12 years, three continents and over 15 schools. He has worked with educational leaders across some of the most successful public, charter and international schools in Asia. He is also the former Coordinator of Futures Academy at the International School of Beijing, a program that uses interdisciplinary project-based learning to connect students to their passions and the world outside of school. His book “The Power of SIMPLE” documents this experience and helps provide simple, research-based strategies for school transformation. Kyle is also a former educator and project leader at High Tech High, where he witnessed first-hand the transformative power of student-centered, real-world learning. Students wrote and published professional books, co-designed small businesses, conducted field studies, and acted in the same way as real professionals in the field. He currently resides in Hong Kong where he spends time developing schools of the future while helping other school leaders build theirs. You can follow him and his work with transforming education on Facebook and Twitter. Jump Through the Conversation: [1:33] Wanting more from teaching began the adventure of innovating [4:01] Starting simple with real-world connections [10:54] Attacking an authentic problem to get at the standards in a meaningful way [13:19] The Power of Simple book and masterclass [15:14] Montessori natural learning with curiosity, imagination, wonder and stories [20:19] Kyle’s Magic Wand: Parents to trust the educators as skilled professionals and have a better understanding of what teachers do [24:06] Maureen’s Corresponding Magic Wand: For parents to start looking at what a child can become and how to support it vs. focusing on short-term homework or grades Links and Resources: https://educationevolution.org/40 Education Evolution https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/education-evolution/ Source: https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/40-the-power-of-simple-innovations-in-schools-with-kyle-wagner

5 JAN 2021 · On this podcast, we have often discussed student-centered learning. But what about human-centered learning? They work hand in hand. Human-centered learning appreciates what makes each student their own person. It is about recognizing what makes up your kids’ identities and giving them the representation they need, empowering them to understand themselves and how they can address social injustices on their own. Listen in as this week’s guests discuss how they’ve been able to implement human-centered learning in their rural community and the positive impact it has had on their students. About Jenny O’Meara and Donnell Cannon: Jenny O’Meara is a rural middle school principal in North Carolina and a co-leader at the Phillips Middle School of Innovation. Donnell Cannon is the high school principal for these same students. They have both graduated from North Carolina State’s NELA program and currently they serve just under 400 kids. With the help of Transcend Education, they have worked together to transform their students’ experience into one of identity, purpose, and passion. Jump Through the Conversation [2:55] Interrupting the system [9:57] Give students space to explore identity [12:24] Roses in Concrete curriculum: understanding and changing systems of oppression [16:30] Students as change agents, addressing injustices in the world [19:25] What do we have to lose? [24:56] Donnell’s Magic Wand: Create spaces for students to be heard and strategically abandon the traditional school system [26:56] Jenny’s Magic Wand: Kid-centered schools and communities [28:50] My reflections on Jenny and Donnell’s work and ideas Links and Resources: https://educationevolution.org/39 Education Evolution https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/education-evolution/ Source: https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/39-creating-human-centered-learning-with-jenny-omeara-and-donnell-cannon

28 DEC 2020 · Does your curriculum encourage students to be DEI and SEL proficient? Recognizing how diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) work together, and being more intentional about them in your curriculum, will help teachers navigate these tough subjects in their classrooms. E-chieh Lin and Emily Schorr Lesnick worked together to develop the DEISEL curriculum and framework at University Prep in Seattle. Listen in to learn about how this curriculum is preparing their students to thrive and be more engaged in social progression. About E-chieh Lin and Emily Schorr Lesnick: E-chieh is the Director of Diversity and Community and the Director of Hiring at University Prep (UPrep). She previously worked as an instructor at Cornell University Office of Academic Diversity Initiatives. Emily is currently the Director of Social Emotional Learning at UPrep. Previously, she worked as the Upper School Director of Service Learning and Associate Director of Community Engagement at Riverdale Country School in the Bronx. They co-created the DEISEL framework and curriculum, which intentionally linked diversity, equity, and inclusion with social emotional learning. Learn more about DEISEL learning here. Jump Through the Conversation: [4:57] Becoming “body aligned” to embody concepts with head, heart, and body [8:14] Remembering that institutions are made of people and we need to start with each person [22:32] Applied theater to embody and understand change [28:18] How graduates with DEISEL skills could impact the world [31:53] Emily’s Magic Wand: For students to see and know they are magic! [32:24] E-chieh’s Magic Wand: Every adult understanding and fighting for justice [34:06] Following their examples of humble lifelong learning to fight for justice Links and Resources: https://educationevolution.org/38 Education Evolution https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/education-evolution/ Source: https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/38-adding-dei-and-sel-to-your-curriculum-with-e-chieh-lin-and-emily-schorr-lesnick

21 DEC 2020 · You know the old saying, “When life hands you lemons…”? Well, 2020 has certainly handed us lemons. In fact, you could say it sent us a landslide of lemons. I don’t think any of us even expected half of it but all of us are ready to say good-bye to it. So, how do we even begin to process this year? What lessons are there to mine? What power do we have to make 2021 great? If we strive for greatness, what could January 2021 look like? Let’s unpack these four questions and also apply them to our big 2021 dreams of education evolution. Listen in. Jump Through the Conversation [1:47] How do we begin to process this year? [6:25] What lessons are there to mine? [9:02] What can I do? [10:47] How can I begin? [12:36] My Magic Wand: Intentional joy and growth Links and Resources: https://educationevolution.org/37 Education Evolution https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/education-evolution/ Source: https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/37-using-year-end-reflection-to-plan-for-a-great-2021

14 DEC 2020 · As educators, we all want to see our students feeling valued, heard, and thriving in their education. When it comes to larger schools, this becomes a bigger challenge as more students face being force-fed a curriculum that doesn’t necessarily work for them. Our kids are diverse, with individual needs and abilities. What can we do to create the community in larger schools that these students need? Today’s guest joins me to talk about the solution they’ve been implementing, and it’s one I’m very familiar with: Creating a school-within-a-school (SWAS). Listen in as Mike Haykin tells us about the success of their SWAS, the Options Program at Seattle Academy, and the benefits it’s had for the students who have opted in to the program. About Mike Haykin: Mike is the assistant head and former director of learning services at Seattle Academy, a prominent local independent school. I was excited to learn that he has led the creation of their new Options program, a school-within-a-school for high school students. You can follow Seattle Academy (SAAS) and learn more about them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Jump Through the Conversation [1:32] The Options Program [6:32] Finding Inclusive Support [8:11] Personalization and Flexibility in the Program [14:22] Mike’s Magic Wand: Appreciating Students’ Differences and Individual Strengths [16:24] My Reflections on the Options Program and Mike’s Magic Wand Links and Resources: https://educationevolution.org/36 Education Evolution https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/education-evolution/ Source: https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/36-creating-community-within-a-larger-school-with-mike-haykin

8 DEC 2020 · Even pre-pandemic, being a leader in education could feel lonely and isolating. So in these turbulent times, it’s more important than ever to build communities that will encourage and support our educational leaders. There are so many benefits to building and being part of communities in education, and the positive effects on our leaders will only continue to ripple throughout the rest of our learning spaces and schools. Listen in to learn about these benefits and how you can get involved. Jump Through the Conversation [1:52] What is a Leader and Why do we Need Them? [3:48] Communities Help us be our Best [5:33] Communities Provide Synergy [6:52] Communities Help us Learn [8:00] Communities Provide Support [8;57] Benefits of a Mastermind [13:38] My Magic Wand: You Getting to be Your Best Links and Resources: https://educationevolution.org/35 Education Evolution https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/education-evolution/ Source: https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/35-building-community-among-educational-leaders

30 NOV 2020 · Anti-bias education works to fight against the biases we all have and to build empathy and compassion within our schools. We can’t assume our students are learning and fostering anti-bias skills outside of the classroom, and we can’t properly serve each student individually if we aren’t identifying and addressing our own biases. Dr. Scotland Nash, Director of Education for the Anti-Defamation League PNW region, joined me on the podcast to discuss how we can support anti-bias education in our schools. Scottie gives us ideas and information about opening conversation and shifting our curriculum and policies to show allyship and support towards the disenfranchised in our communities. We must become intentional about catching and interrupting the biases in our own lives in order to bring systemic change to education. We believe in loving each other. Now is the time to do it. About Scotland Nash: Scotland Nash has worked in education and education support services for 20 years. She has had the role of high school social studies teacher, education director, instructional leader, adjunct professor, and consultant in both the Chicago area and Seattle. Scotland earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership from Seattle University. As a teacher, she was nominated for Disney Teacher of the Year award and Golden Apple, and she earned multiple superintendent and principal accolades and awards for her instruction and collaboration. She was named an ASCD Emerging Leader in 2014. As a consultant, she supports schools and districts in effectively utilizing new teacher evaluation systems, implementing common core and literacy support for students across the disciplines, and implementing systemic high functioning professional learning communities. Currently, as the Director of Education for the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) PNW region, she works with schools, districts and their community to learn about identity and diversity, to practice anti-bias strategies for communication, and act as allies for social justice. If you’re interested in Scotland’s work, you can follow her on LinkedIn. Jump Through the Conversation [2:00] What Anti-Bias Education Looks Like [4:30] Interrupting Bias [9:47] Fostering Anti-Bias Skills [13:35] Systems Change [15:38] Understand Your Own Identity [19:47] Questions for Leaders [24:04] Love and Belonging [25:30] Scottie’s Magic Wand: Put Every Kid at the Center of their Education Links and Resources: https://educationevolution.org/34 Education Evolution https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/education-evolution/ Source: https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/34-supporting-anti-bias-education-with-scotland-nash