beyond the curriculum

“Wisdom is not a product of schooling but of the lifelong attempt to acquire it.”

— Albert Einstein

Dr. Laura Gibbs is a professor of humanities at the University of Oklahoma, teaching mythology and folklore online, challenging her students to develop higher-order Bloom Taxonomy along with 21st Century skills as they explore the content of her courses. Laura contributed a chapter to the book Ungrading: Why Rating Students Undermines Learn (and What to Do Instead) titled “Let’s talk about grading.”

In this episode, Dr. Gibbs will discuss how ungrading is a natural fit for teaching online and how she challenges her students to create and think critically in a virtual environment.

This the second episode of a six-part series where you will hear from the chapter authors who will help us dive deeper into their ideas around assessment.

Dr. Susan Blum is a professor of anthropology a the University of Notre Dame and the editor of the book Ungrading: Why Rating Students Undermines Learning (and What to Do Instead).

In this episode, Susan discusses what led her to compile the book, what the book represents, and how it has been received.

This the first episode of a six-part series where you will hear from the chapter authors who will help us dive deeper into their ideas around assessment.

As you live, believe in Life! Always human beings will live and progress to greater, broader and fuller life. The only possible death is to lose belief in this truth simply because the great end comes slowly, because time is long

- W. E. B. Du Bois

Rodney Robinson is the Senior Advisor, Richmond Public Schools Male teacher of Color Initiative at the Virgie Binford Education Center in Richmond, Virginia, the 2019 National Teacher of the Year, #8 Root Magazine Top Influential African Americans in 2019, and the HBCU Alumnus of the Year.

In this episode, Rodney explains why school leaders need to be intentional to not only recruit Teachers of Color, but the important to support and retain them.

On July 10th, Rodney gave his keynote at the National Network of State Teachers of the Year’s Teacher Leadership Conference that was supposed to be titled, “Learner-Centered Instructional Practices.” However, Rodney felt compelled to shift gears and talk about the importance of promoting and retaining Teachers of Color.

This the fifth and final episode of a five-part series. You will hear from the speakers themselves who will help us dive deeper into their message.

Throughout this series, I have been joined by the 2018 Virginia State Teacher of the Year, Michelle Cottrell-Williams.

Michelle is going to help me unpack the takeaways of these educational leaders who’s message will take us beyond the curriculum.

Abdul Wright is a middle school Language Arts teacher and Literacy Coach, the 2016 Minnesota Teacher of the Year, and identified as a Minnesota, African American Heritage Award Honoree.

Abdul will discuss the impact teachers make on the journey of our young learners and how teachers need to remember it is our primary responsibility to invest in the lives of our students.

On July 9th, Abdul gave his keynote at the National Network of State Teachers of the Year’s Teacher Leadership Conference titled, “Equitable Solutions” where he shared a personal story about how he overcame multiple obstacles to become the teacher he is today. It is a powerful and compelling story that should remind educators about the impact they make in the lives of their students.

This the fourth episode of a five-part series. You will hear from the speakers themselves who will help us dive deeper into their message.

Throughout this series, I am joined by the 2018 Virginia State Teacher of the Year, Michelle Cottrell-Williams.

Michelle is going to help me unpack the takeaways of these educational leaders who’s message will take us beyond the curriculum.

Sharif is the CEO of the Center for Black Educator Development and former principal of Mastery Charter Schools - Shoemaker Campus, a neighborhood turnaround school in West Philadelphia. He is recognized by former students, their families, and the community as a consistent Freedom Fighter, agitator, and partner.

On July 8th, Sharif gave his keynote at the National Network of State Teachers of the Year’s Teacher Leadership Conference titled, “Liberating Education” where Sharif challenged educators to be intentional in our pedagogy to include Black and Brown pedagogy and rethinking teaching programs to better prepare teachers (especially white educators) to better engage with Black and Brown Students.

This the third episode of a five-part series. You will hear from the speakers themselves who will help us dive deeper into their message.

Throughout this series, I am joined by the 2018 Virginia State Teacher of the Year, Michelle Cottrell-Williams.

Michelle is going to help me unpack the takeaways of these educational leaders who’s message will take us beyond the curriculum.

— Nelson Mandela

Michael Soskil is a fourth-grade science teacher, Vice-President of the Pennsylvania Teachers Advisory Committee, 2016 Global Teacher Prize Top-10 Finalist, and the editor of the book “Flip the System: How Teachers Can Transform Education and Save Democracy.”

On July 8th, Michael gave his keynote at the National Network of State Teachers of the Year’s Teacher Leadership Conference titled, “Flip the System” where Michael challenged educators to be political in their role without being partisan.

This the second episode of a five-part series. You will hear from the speakers themselves who will help us dive deeper into their message.

Throughout this series, I am joined by the 2018 Virginia State Teacher of the Year, Michelle Cottrell-Williams.

Michelle is going to help me unpack the takeaways of these educational leaders who’s messages will take us beyond the curriculum.

"Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education."

     Franklin D. Roosevelt

Though  Ted Dintersmith made his fortune in venture capitalism, he’s made his greatest impact on education.

His books Most Likely to Succeed and What School Could Be and his film Most Likely to Succeed are gaining momentum and challenging policymakers, educators, and community members to reimagine the role of the school as it prepares our children for the future.

On July 9th, Ted gave his keynote at the National Network of State Teachers of the Year’s Teacher Leadership Conference titled, “Education’s Indispensable Role As the Foundation of Our Democracy” where Ted challenged educators to consider their role as the defenders of democracy in an environment where democracy is under fire.

This the first episode of a five-part series. You will hear from the speakers themselves who will help us dive deeper into their message.

Throughout this series, I will be joined by the 2018 Virginia State Teacher of the Year, Michelle Cottrell-Williams. Michelle is going to help me unpack the takeaways of these educational leaders who’s message will challenge us to go beyond the curriculum.

“Being a teacher leader means that you can understand and realize the impact you have is really limitless.”

— Bob Williams - Acting CEO NNSTOY

On July 8-10, the National Network of State Teachers of the Year (NNSTOY) hosted its Teacher Leadership Conference virtually. The title of the conference? Revolutionizing Education.

With the permission of NNSTOY, I decided to share the event with listeners. Over the next five episodes, you will hear from the event’s keynote speakers. Each episode will contain highlight of presentations and we will hear from the speakers themselves who will help us dive deeper into their message.

Throughout this series, I will be joined by the 2018 Virginia State Teacher of the Year, Michelle Cottrell-Williams. Michelle is going to help me unpack the takeaways of these educational leaders.

In this episode, we will hear from Bob Williams, the Acting CEO of NNSTOY, about the conference and what it means to be a teacher leader.

"Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn."

- Benjamin Franklin

Teachers are charged with preparing the next generation who will be tasked with being stewards of the world. Teachers can lecture about the skills that are necessary for adulthood, they can drill, and test them on these skills, or they can engage them in learning that makes a significant contribution to their community and the world in which they live.

Abe Moore is a year 6/7 teacher at Hallett Cove South Primary school in Adelaide, South Australia. Abe has been awarded the “Innovation in Education Award” at the 2019 Educators State Awards. He engages his young learners in P-Based Learning which includes: Project Based, Problem Based, Purpose Based, and Passion-Based Learning that challenges them to make a difference in their school and community. You can follow him on Twitter at @arbay38, @projreimaginate, and @projectology.

In this episode, Abe shares how he challenges his students to imagine, design, and build the school they want to attend and impact future children who walk through those doors.

Christine Miller is a retired high school Arts teacher from Plano, Texas. She believes deep, authentic learning comes from the learner posing the questions. Therefore, she used student inquiry to place her students in the center of her class.

Christine is the 2008-2009, Teacher of the Year, School for the Talented and Gifted, Dallas ISD, Williams High School, Plano ISD, Teacher of the Year, 2013-2014, Recipient of the Plano ISD Award of Excellence in Teaching Secondary Division, May 2014, Texas Art Education Association Outstanding Secondary Teacher of the Year, Nov. 2014, and National Art Education Association Western Region Secondary Art Educator of the Year, 2016. You can follow her on Twitter at @tagartteacher.

In this episode, Christine shares how inquiry is central to developing beautiful works of art and takes learners beyond the curriculum.