Anchored in Education

It's that time of year again where academic honors and awards are handed out for hard work done well.  But sometimes our well-intended accolades come with unintended consequences.  Students who strive to be the best often become stressed, frustrated, and even burned out with school.  The question we should be asking: Is it really worth it?

Research tells us that valedictorians are hard workers.  The same research tells us they are not necessarily the most academically gifted though.  Moreover, a large study conducted on valedictorians tells us that valedictorians rarely go on to create change in society.  They do become quite successful, but only by following a prescribed set of rules and expectations.  A similar study tells us that most of our top leaders could have actually been considered underperformers in high school or college.

In today's episode, I'm joined by current middle school principal Charley Cass to talk more on the awards season.  We take a look at this from the perspectives of educators, students, and parents.  Charley brings us stories from his experiences as a building leader at the middle school and high school levels.  Don't forget to visit www.escottengland.com for references from today's show along with reading a little bit more about Charley.

Many mission statements in school districts declare that students will be provided a well-rounded education. But once you walk past the boastful banner and into classrooms, you quickly realize some subjects play second fiddle to the core subjects.

Art is one of these subjects. Art has proven to increase child development in areas such as motor skills, visual learning, inventiveness, language development, and even improving academic performance. Yet, in times of financial duress, art and programs like it are often the first to receive the budgetary scalpel.  

In this episode of Anchored in Education, I am joined by Jodi England, a 20 year veteran art teacher, and my sister, to discuss the importance and profound impact art can have in a school environment. And don't forget to check out www.escottengland.com for show notes and links to resources from this episode.

There is a teacher shortage nationwide. And it continues to grow each year. Many solutions have been suggested: pay teachers more, offer incentives to pay off student loans, and so forth. Yet, most states are still adding fewer and fewer teachers into the profession each year.

This week on Anchored in Education I am joined by Dr. Kyle Thompson, the current Assistant Regional Superintendent and the soon to be Regional Superintendent.  Kyle and I discuss how legislative policies are creating unnecessary hurdles and obstacles for future teachers. Kyle has testified twice before the Illinois House of Representative Education Committee to advocate for bills designed to address the teacher shortage.

We not only discuss actions that can be taken to directly address the teacher shortage, but we also talk reasons teachers entered the profession and why these unnecessary barriers are preventing new teacher candidates from becoming anchored in education. Checkout www.escottengland.com for more information and resources from this episode.

Many things are out of our control, but one thing that remains is our ability to take our financial future by the horns.  In a previous episode, we discussed the Pension Tension many states are facing.  What if I told you though that there are ways we can begin building financial wealth that will be there for us when we retire?
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In this episode, Dr. Zakry Standerfer joins us to again show why he is the retirement guru.  Many educators seek Dr. Standerfer's knowledge and even implement many of his retirement strategies that are both easy and safe investment plans.  In Reinvent Your Retirement, Dr. Standerfer will share strategies you can use to accumulate substantial wealth for when you retire.  If the unthinkable happens and your pension collapses, you can still maintain a comfortable post-career retirement by taking a few simple steps today.

We talk about a lot of resources in this episode, so check out www.escottengland.com for more information from this episode.

Have you ever heard the phrase "Do as I say, not as a I do?" I have. Only I never really understood why I had to be compliant but others did not. As an educator, I continue to question the double standard practices.

In this episode, I explore how we often hold students to higher expectations than we hold for ourselves. In some cases, we hold unreasonable expectations for how students should feel, act, and comply. 

I'll offer my apologies now if this episode makes some uncomfortable. But there is nothing wrong with challenging our thinking and causing us to reflect.  Visit www.escottengland.com for more.

You will have a hard time finding an educator say they entered the profession for the money.  But for most public educators across the nation, the reward for a long, successful career is a pension.  Knowing there was a pension, many educators have not had to give a second thought about finances in life after teaching.  What if I told you though that the teacher pension debt nationwide stands at $516 billion dollars as of 2016?  Would you begin to grow concerned?

April is Financial Literacy Month, so in today's episode, I'm joined by pension expert Dr. Zakry Standerfer.  Together we take a quick pulse on what's happening to pensions throughout the nation and more importantly, what it means for educators.  Teaching is still a viable option for a stable career, but we need policy makers to recognize this and properly fund pensions for public workers.  Checkout www.escottengland.com for more information and resources from this episode.

Accommodations are something that should be happening in classrooms every day.  Yet, a lot of the time we only accommodate for those students with documented disabilities.

In this episode, we explore accommodations and how it can lead to greater student success.  More importantly, we explore how accommodations happen every day in the real world. 

I've known this since I got my start in education, but was recently reminded how we can make accommodations thanks to Audrey, my recently disabled dachshund.

Addiction is no laughing matter.  There are clinics, programs, and rehab centers for alcohol and drug addiction.  There are patches, gum, and even hypnotherapy for eating disorders and nicotine addictions. 

But what about those addictions to things we don't realize are harmful for us?  In this episode, I'm going to talk to you a little about an addiction that is becoming one of the leading addictions in the United States 

Failing has such a negative connotation.  But should it?  Failure is common and should be viewed as an opportunity to learn.  Being allowed to fail means you have the ability to take risks with no repercussions.  

Take a journey with me in this episode as I explore why failing is okay and why everyone should have the opportunity to fix mistakes.  I even get a little scientific in this episode.  Below is the reference I quote from.

Saladin, K. S. (2018). Anatomy & physiology: The unity of form and function (8th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education.

We see products endorsed all the time by actors and athletes.  But why not have our educators endorsing products?  Join E. Scott England as he presents a compelling argument for why companies should be getting teachers to endorse their products.