Classroom Matters

Tierica Berry is an innovative educator who empowers teenage girls to take ownership of their own development. She believes that when a girl recognizes that the choices they make everyday is what shapes their reality, it helps reduce blame and excuse making.  As the founder of A Woman's Standard, Tierica helps train educators to assist young ladies to see the power they hold and fall in love with themselves like never before.  Join host Kristy Houle, as she chats with Tierica about unpacking the emotional suitcase and how it can greatly impact a young girls academic environment.

In this episode you'll hear...

• How to unpack your emotional suitcase as well as your students'
• The importance of emotional leadership in the classroom
• The difference Tierica Berry is making for young girls and students every day

Michael Brown's death in Ferguson, MO started a national civil rights movement revolving around how police and government treat black residents. Alongside the residents and community concerns came safety concerns for the  staff and students of the Ferguson-Florissant School District, which is located in the heart of where many demonstrations took place. In this episode of Classroom Matters, host Kristy Houle talks with former Director of Security, Tom Dunlap about the impact this event had on the school district and lessons that were learned during these times.

In this episode you'll hear...

• How former Director of Security Tom Dunlap approached school safety during this time
• The way the community and schools transformed
• How faculty and staff came together for the students

Dr. Joseph Davis is not only leading the charge to restructure an entire school district, but also managing to keep the quality of academic success high. Raised in North Carolina by his mother and grandmother,  Dr. Davis learned the value of hard work and a good education at a young age. Motivated by his love of people and relationships he has excelled at providing leadership and a love for learning to hundreds of teachers and administrators. Join me as I chat with Dr. Davis about the challenges and rewards of his role as the Superintendent of the Ferguson-Florissant School District.

In this episode you’ll hear…

• How Dr. Davis got to the position he’s in today
• How he supports the students and teachers in his schools
• The importance of finding your purpose

This week's Classroom Matters episode wraps up  with part three of our Student Series on student preparedness for higher education and careers.  Jack Pifer, a current high school senior sits down and talks with host, Kristy Houle about making his way through his last year of public school and the pressures of being an athlete.  Jack also shares his thoughts on what makes an effective teacher and cell phone usage in the classroom setting.

This week's Classroom Matters episode continues with part two of our Student Series on student preparedness for higher education and careers.  Nicole Moore, a recent high school graduate, and now college student sits down with host Kristy Houle to discuss the characteristics of both effective and ineffective teachers.  Nicole also discusses how prepared she felt for life after high school and the role school district members had in moving her forward and keeping her on the right track.

This week's Classroom Matters episode kicks off our 3-part series with students and recent high school grads. Join host, Kristy Houle, as she begins the series by chatting with Lexi Allen, a recent high school graduate that now attends IUPUI in Indianapolis. Lexi fills us in on just how prepared she feels for this next chapter in her life and how her public school experiences have helped her journey.

How do you balance the political pull of education while doing what's best for students at the same time?  Education has become a system of not only expecting academic achievement for ALL students, but also teaching to the whole child.  Dr. Margie Vandeven started her career as a teacher and now serves the state of Missouri as the Commissioner of Education.  However, for educators like Dr. Vandeven climbing the academic ladder doesn't take the teacher out of you.  In this episode of Classroom Matters join me as I chat with Dr. Vandeven about her journey to the work she is doing now and how we can help teachers remember the "why" of what they do each day.

In this episode you'll learn...

• About Dr. Vandeven's position as Commissioner of Education
• Ways to improve teacher efficacy
• How parents and teachers can work together to improve child learning

Photo via the Columbia Daily Tribune

The nation has been facing a teacher shortage for some time now and folks may be wondering how we have gotten to this point and what we can do to fix it. It’s no secret that the field of teaching has changed drastically over the last 20 years. Our nation’s teachers have seen those changes up close and personal and many are making the decision to leave the field altogether.  During this episode of Classroom Matters, we will have a chance to hear from Chief Human Resources Officer, Amy Joyce, about why this teacher shortage is occurring and some strategies that her school district is taking to hire and retain highly-qualified educators.

On this episode you'll hear...

• Methods of keeping teachers in their positions
• The importance of teacher relationships
• Ways to prepare teachers for the obstacles ahead

Engaging students in meaningful, memorable learning experiences can transform a child’s worldview. It is this belief that fuels our mission at Springboard to Learning to develop children’s abilities to think critically, create, collaborate and communicate. Springboard to Learning envisions a future where all children are passionate, engaged learners who experience success.  In this episode of Classroom Matters, join me in my conversation with Lauren Wiser to learn more about this innovative approach to education.

In this episode you'll hear...

• The Four C's of Springboard to Learning's Program
• How the arts can teach students their core curriculum
• The advantages of incorporating art into children's lives

Want to know the secret of how to successfully lead a school district while keeping your sanity?  Then join me for a conversation with Superintendent Dr. Chris Gaines as he walks us through what it has taken to get where he is today.  As the superintendent of the Mehlville School District, Dr. Gaines has pretty much seen it all and continues to shine a positive light on the sometimes-challenging world of education and the paradigm shift of today’s modern family.

In this episode you'll hear...

• Dr. Gaines path to superintendency
• The student stories he's encountered
• The relationships he's formed with students and educators in his district