Anchored in Education

Every coach has that one game that stands out in their career. For Coach Jim Johnson, that game was played on Wednesday, February 15, 2006. It was that night that Coach Johnson gave the nod to a young man by the name of Jason McElwain. Nicknamed J-Mac by his coach, Jason had served as team manager for three years. J-Mac had always dreamed of playing. Now, on senior night, coach was giving J-Mac an opportunity of lifetime. 

What made this evening so special was that Jason is autistic. Coach had watched Jason over the years, witnessed first hand the young man's dedication to being the best manager possible. He inspired his teammates, always encouraging, always challenging. J-Mac had always celebrated the triumphant wins and big plays—now it was his turn.

On this episode of Anchored in Education, Coach Jim Johnson joins us to talk about that magical night over thirteen years ago. It changed J-Mac's life, it changed Coach's life, and now is your chance to hear the story that can change your life too.

After listening to this week's Anchored in Education episode, head over to www.escottengland.com to find the show notes. There you can read more about Coach Jim Johnson as well as find a link to his website.

A school or community crisis can happen anywhere at anytime. It could be an active shooter or a natural disaster.  Most of the time we say, "I don't even want to think about the unthinkable."  But after seeing both man-made disasters and natural disasters increase by 750 percent and 223 percent, respectively.  Maybe it is time to instead "think about the thinkable."

That's the advice of my guest this week, Dr. David Schonfeld, MD, FAAP, Director of the National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement.  Dr. Schonfeld returns to Anchored in Education this week to talk about how we can support students, schools, and communities in crisis situations. We also talk how we can prepare students ahead of a crisis as well as the support needed following an event.

If you haven't had the chance, check out last week's episode where Dr. Schonfeld and I discussed Supporting the Grieving Student.

After listening to this week's Anchored in Education episode, head over to www.escottengland.com to find the show notes. There you can read more about Dr. Schonfeld as well as find websites and resources for supporting students and schools in crisis situations.

If you are like me, you have probably had little to no formal preparation on how to support a grieving student. Yet, how many times have you had a grieving student in your classroom? Did you even know? Depending on their age, students display signs of grieving differently. 

I was a student who lost a parent before completing high school. My teachers were not prepared. In my time in education, I have witnessed students lose someone close to them due to illness, suicide, homicide, or some other tragic event. Though I've learned a little more over the years, I would still not say I am prepared. I felt we needed an expert to help us out.

In my opinion, there is no need to look any further than Dr. David Schonfeld, MD, FAAP, Director of the National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement. Dr. Schonfeld has provided consultation and training to schools on supporting students and staff at times of crisis and loss for over 30 years.

After listening to this week's Anchored in Education episode, head over to www.escottengland.com to find the show notes. There you can read more about Dr. Schonfeld as well as find websites and resources for supporting grieving students.

How often is it we complain about our weight, exercising, or dieting? Here's what is odd though: We have no qualms about letting everyone around us know. Ate too much? Complain about it. Indulged in a sweet treat? Complain about it! Food and exercise is one of the few things we have no reservations when it comes to talking out loud about it.

But what about the students around you? What message are they hearing?  Even if you are sincere about what you're saying, children may not understand this. Trust me, as I talk about in the beginning of this episode, I found out the hard way with my own children.

To help us better understand how powerful our words about food can be, I've invited Tracy Brown onto Anchored in Education. Tracy is a somatic nutrition therapist, a registered dietitian, and an attuned eating coach. Tracy shares her personal story of struggles with food and exercising to help us better understand how we should approach the topic with students.

Tracy also leaves us with a wealth of resources that you can find at www.escottengland.com. You can also learn more about Tracy as well as subscribe to the podcast on the platform of your choice.

The first day on the job anywhere is exciting. But as we continue through that first day and even complete the first year, the thrill becomes less and less until it's just a job. Unless you're in education. Then that first day experience seems to happen day after day after day. 

Beginning teachers get to experience many things that first year. First day of school, first teacher in-service, first faculty meeting, first parent/teacher conference, and the list continues all the way to the first last day of school. It is a magical time for sure.  And while we do not forget our first year, we often forget what it is like to experience it.

That's why I've invited Aaron DeLay and Andrea Samayoa onto Anchored in Education today. Both have just wrapped up their first year of teaching. They bring unique perspectives from their first year as Aaron is a 6th grade ELA/Literacy teacher from Fort Morgan, CO and Andrea is a 2nd grade Dual teacher from a small suburb outside of Chicago.

Don't forget to head over to www.escottengland.com to read more about Aaron and Andrea, as well as find resources from this episode. You can also subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or the Google Play store, or on Spotify.

It is difficult to imagine students growing up enduring such pains as losing friends and family through death.  It is almost unfathomable to think of students losing those close to them through abandonment. And yet, other students may experience homelessness, depression, failures, and other setbacks. Setbacks that lead to poor grades, absenteeism, or worse.

What about those students who face all of the above? This is exactly what happened to Jonathan Edison. Jonathan's adverse childhood experiences were a recipe for disaster. Yet, Jonathan found light down each dark path and forged ahead to show that focus and perseverance can reshape one's destiny.

So today on Anchored in Education, Jonathan joins us to discuss his experiences as detailed in his best-selling book, Survival Mode: A Memoir of Hope, Love, and Survival.  Jonathan also talks about how he has remained anchored in education through his various programs offered to schools to help students succeed.

Don't forget to head over to www.escottengland.com to read more about Jonathan, as well as find resources from this episode. You can also subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or the Google Play store, or on Spotify.

Have you ever been involved with a professional development session and thought, "I don't want to be here." But you are there.  You're there because your state requires you to earn so many professional development credits in order to retain your license. So you slog through the PD half engaged (at best) with one watchful eye on the clock all the while dreaming of something better—something more fruitful.

What if I told you there is something more fruitful out there? It is professional learning. It's learning tailored to your needs as an educator. Thankfully, Allison Rodman just published her book Personalized Professional Learning: A Job-Embedded Pathway for Elevating Teacher Voice. And let me tell you, this is a book worth owning and reading. It is also one of the few books I recommend getting a highlighter for because you'll be wanting to refer back to this book as you transform traditional PD into engaging PL.

To help us out, Allie joins Anchored in Education this week to talk more about her book. This book is not only jam packed with ideas, it can also serve as a guidebook with the blueprints needed to make this transition.

Don't forget to head over to www.escottengland.com to learn more about Allie, as well as find resources from this episode. You can also subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or the Google Play store, or on Spotify.

What do you think of when you hear the word unlearn? Probably what I originally thought in that it is impossible to unlearn something. What if I told you it is not only possible but completely necessary? Maybe you would still be skeptical.

Thankfully, I've invited two special guests onto Anchored in Education this week to talk just about that: Unlearning.  Dr. Mike Lubelfeld and Dr. Nick Polyak first joined forces in 2010 after realizing they shared a common goal in educational approaches. Shortly thereafter, they collaborated to write their first book: The Unlearning Leader: Leading for Tomorrow's Schools Today. They discuss in their book why educators must unlearn outdated practices in order to educate children in the present to prepare them for the future.

The Unlearning Leader is packed with thoughtful discussions and arguments that makes many of us stop and think.  In fact, at the beginning of each chapter they have a Stop-Think-Act section. Being an educator today is much more than just teaching. It is about approaching the educational process with a what's best for students attitude instead what's easiest for adults. 

Don't forget to subscribe to Anchored in Education on iTunes or the Google Play store, or on Spotify.  You can also read more about my guests each week by visiting www.escottengland.com.

Almost every school year has come to a close or is within the last week or so.  With that means that another successful year of junior high and high school sports are wrapping up as well.  School athletics are an integral part of the educational process, but sometimes we go too far with the emphasis you place on the contests.

My special guest this week is Brian "Weez" Turner, a long time sports reporter and newspaper editor.  Brian brings a unique perspective this week in that he has watched athletics for students evolve over his career.  We explore the pressures, successes, and defeats students experience in what is almost year-round sports.

Don't forget if you haven't already subscribe to Anchored in Education on iTunes or the Google Play store, or on Spotify.  You can also read more about my guest this week by visiting www.escottengland.com

On the evening of April 30, 2019, Jonathan Carroll sat down at his computer and contemplated what his Facebook post would say.  He wanted to let the world know that he was stepping away from teaching after 20 years.  But it was more than just a post for attention, Jonathan listed clearly why he believes it is time for him to go.  In his opinion, teaching has "become a toxic profession."  

So my guest this week on Anchored in Education is none other than Jonathan Carroll.  Jonathan talks more about why he feels it is time to leave the profession he once was so passionate about.  Sadly, too many great educators are stepping away from the profession due to many of the similar reasons Jonathan talks about.

It will conversations such as these that will help educators, policy makers, and other education advocates better frame the problem with sure solutions that will help keep educators Anchored in Education.  Don't forget to check out www.escottengland.com for resources from today's show.  Also, subscribe to this podcast to receive alerts when new episodes are available.