Having someone observe your therapy room or classroom can feel awkward; whether it’s your boss doing your evaluation, or whether it’s a special service provider who’s supporting students in your class.

When I’ve talked with administrators and service providers about classroom observations, they say it can be a learning curve for the person coming into the classroom as well. 

Yet having another set of eyes on your students can often be a valuable learning experience for both the person observing and the person being observed. 

That’s why I invited John Mihalyo to the De Facto Leaders Podcast to talk about how school leaders can turn observations into meaningful learning experiences instead of an obligation. 

We also talk about what it takes to start new programs and initiatives, and how to take a proactive approach when it comes to marketing and communication. 

John Mihalyo is a highly accomplished education professional and the visionary founder of Elementary Advancement Solutions, a leading educational consulting company dedicated to empowering Catholic and faith-based school leaders. With a robust background encompassing over two decades of experience as an administrator and 15 years as a Catholic school principal, John Mihalyo has honed his expertise in addressing the multifaceted challenges encountered by educational leaders. John is also the host of the Catholic School Leaders podcast on the BE podcast network. 

In this conversation, we discuss:

✅Why good school leaders visit classrooms before the official employee evaluation.

✅Why starting a new program in a school can be a 3-year process (or more).

✅The importance of marketing and communication (for both staff and community). 

✅The difference between running public, private, and faith-based schools. 

You can listen to my interview on the Catholic School Leaders Podcast here: Navigating Executive Functioning to Support Student Growth with Dr. Karen Dudek-Brannan (Link here: https://cslp.bepodcast.network/episodes/navigating-executive-functioning-to-support-student-growth-with-dr-karen-dudek-brannan)

Connect with John on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnmihalyo/

Listen to the Catholic School Leaders Podcast here: https://cslp.bepodcast.network/

Learn more about Elementary Advancement Solutions here: https://elementaryadvancement.com/

In this episode, I mention the School of Clinical Leadership, my program that helps related service providers develop a strategic plan for putting executive functioning support in place in collaboration with their school teams. You can learn more about that program here: https://drkarendudekbrannan.com/clinicalleadership 

We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. 

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

Many young adults enter their post-high school years without the executive functioning skills needed to thrive. 

This is often because the people supporting them underestimate the amount of support they’re getting, and there’s no plan in place to fade that prompting. 

When young adults enter college, they have to manage sleep hygiene, long-term projects, and manage screen time. 

This is why I talk so much about using multiple service delivery models when supporting executive functioning; whether it be in the schools or in private practice; because many essential life skills cannot be taught without the right environmental scaffolding in place.  

That’s why I invited Michael McLeod from GrowNOW therapy to talk about why he uses a combination of direct sessions, summer camps with community-based activities, parent coaching, and educator training. 

Michael partnered and worked with The Focus Foundation in 2015, learning from incredible doctors, neuropsychologists, and various specialists – gaining in-depth training and experience with ADHD and Executive Function research and development. He currently specializes in ADHD, Executive Functioning, Social Executive Functioning, and Parent Coaching. From his experiences as an Executive Function Specialist, Michael developed a distinct model of Internal Skills Coaching to enhance these skills. Michael is a Keynote Speaker and has presented nationwide and internationally, training families and professionals on his unique GrowNOW Treatment Model for fostering Executive Functions & Resiliency.

In this conversation, we discuss:

✅Do graduate programs prepare clinicians to work on executive functioning out in the field?

✅Frontloading vs. traditional social skills sessions.

✅Why helping families set boundaries around screen time is an essential part of the services clinicians offer.

✅Defining failure to launch and what it looks like in young adults.

✅Situational awareness and its impact on safety for college students. 

You can connect with Michael at:

GrowNOWADHD.com, here: http://grownowadhd.com/

GrowNOW Instagram, here: http://instagram.com/GrowNOWADHD

GrowNOW School Trainings, here: https://www.grownowadhd.com/training/

ADHD Parenting Podcast, here: https://open.spotify.com/show/7xATyVhNZU3abIejNIggvD

Listen to my previous conversations with Michael here:

EP 008: Building accountability and motivation in kids with ADHD (with Mike McLeod), here: https://drkarendudekbrannan.com/ep-008-building-accountability-and-motivation-in-kids-with-adhd-with-mike-mcleod/

EP 009: Time management and device use boundaries in kids with ADHD (with Mike McLeod), here: https://drkarendudekbrannan.com/ep-009-time-management-and-device-use-boundaries-for-kids-with-adhd-with-mike-mcleod/

The following previous episodes were mentioned in this episode:

EP 122: Executive functioning for college students: Beyond checklists and planners (with Jill Fahy), here: https://drkarendudekbrannan.com/ep-122-executive-functioning-for-college-students-beyond-checklists-and-planners-with-jill-fahy/

EP 193: Using Distance Learning to Increase Access and Opportunity (with Seth Fleischauer), here: https://drkarendudekbrannan.com/ep-193-using-distance-learning-to-increase-access-and-opportunity-with-seth-fleischauer/

In this episode, I mention the School of Clinical Leadership, my program that helps related service providers develop a strategic plan for putting executive functioning support in place in collaboration with their school teams. You can learn more about that program here: https://drkarendudekbrannan.com/clinicalleadership

We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. 

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

For episode 206 of De Facto Leaders, I share a Q & A session where I discuss Reading Recovery and cueing strategies for decoding, and I make some recommendations for additional information that will give you more information on this topic.

I also share what you can do if you're in a district that uses Fountas and Pinnell reading levels, which often don't give detailed or consistent information about a kid's language skills. 

You’ll also hear commentary on the Matthew Effect and vocabulary development. 

Finally, I discuss the role of executive dysfunction and mental health, a guide I created that dives into this topic further, and what clinicians can do to support executive functioning in schools.

This Q & A session was done in the member’s group for Language Therapy Advance Foundations, my program that helps SLPs build a system for language therapy. You can learn more about Language Therapy Advance Foundations here: https://drkarenspeech.com/languagetherapy

Additional resources mentioned in this episode:

You can find Angie Neal’s Presentation on Speechpathology.com about using a collaborative approach to language and literacy here (you need a paid subscription to access): https://www.speechpathology.com/slp-ceus/course/language-and-literacy-collaborative-approach-9342

You can listen to Sold a Story here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sold-a-story/id1649580473

You can download the Executive Functioning Implementation Guide here: https://drkarendudekbrannan.com/efguide

We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. 

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

Today I’m sharing an interview I did with Amy Baugh, a member of Language Therapy Advance Foundations. 

Amy Baugh is an experienced SLP, a life-long learner and truly enjoys listening to podcasts, joining SLP groups on social media and collaborating with her besties about all things’ speech, language and being a business owner. She is the proud mother of two college aged daughters and enjoys learning and practicing functional health, working out, reading, and cooking. She is the owner of Elation Speech and Language Services. Link here: https://www.elationspeech.com/

When Amy took a position at a high school with a large caseload, she knew she needed a solid strategy for keeping intervention intensive, but also ensuring teachers and paraprofessionals had the information they needed to support students in class, which is what inspired her to join Language Therapy Advance Foundations. 

When many clinicians come to me for support, they’re often focused on the “micro”, such as planning sessions. That’s why one of the first things I give clinicians I support is a framework clinicians can use for language therapy in direct intervention. 

However, once clinicians have their heads above water and they have the mental bandwidth to focus on the “macro”, they realize what else is possible when it comes to the impact they can make, as well as career opportunities.

In Amy’s case, it meant being able to focus on training teachers and paraprofessionals to implement language intervention in the classroom, as well as having an intervention framework to use when she started a private practice. 

In this conversation, we discuss:

✅The power of consultation and coaching when you have a large caseload.

✅The “house” strategy for initiating collaborations with teachers and adjacent disciplines.

✅Why focusing on your “systems”, like your schedule, habits, and frameworks can help you get buy-in from teachers and administration. 

✅The importance of syntax, vocabulary, and word study at the secondary level. 

You can connect with Amy at the Elation Speech and Language website here: https://www.elationspeech.com/

You can also connect with her on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-baugh-m-a-ccc-slp-20bb974b/

Amy is a member of Language Therapy Advance Foundations, my program that gives SLPs and other service providers create a system for language therapy. You can learn more about the program here: https://drkarenspeech.com/languagetherapy/

We mentioned the follow previous De Facto Leaders episode in this conversation:

EP 147: High school language therapy: Do we still have time to make an impact? (with Tiffany Shahoumian-Ruiz) Here: https://drkarendudekbrannan.com/ep-147-high-school-language-therapy-do-we-still-have-time-to-make-an-impact-with-tiffany-shahoumian-ruiz/

EP 180: The relationship of literacy and language skills and involvement with the justice system (with Dr. Shameka Stewart) Here: https://drkarendudekbrannan.com/ep-180-the-relationship-of-literacy-and-language-skills-and-involvement-with-the-justice-system-with-dr-shameka-stewart/

EP 181: Developmental language disorder: Impact of literacy and life beyond school (with Dr. Karla McGregor) Here: https://drkarendudekbrannan.com/ep-181-developmental-language-disorder-impacts-on-literacy-and-life-beyond-school-with-dr-karla-mcgregor/

We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. 

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

Finding the right amount of therapy materials is a struggle for many clinicians. It’s hard to find the balance between having enough options, without having so many choices it feels overwhelming.

Now that we have access to digital resources, we also have to think about how to use technology responsibly and effectively. 

That’s why I invited Dr. Karen Rose to episode 204 of the De Facto Leaders podcast to discuss how digital platforms can minimize cognitive fatigue and improve communication on multidisciplinary teams. 

Dr. Karen Rose has over two decades of experience as a pediatric speech and language pathologist, fueling her passion for improving healthcare. As the former Vice President of Research and Clinical Development at Cognishine, she provided clinical and academic guidance and contributed to numerous research projects. She is now engaged in postdoctoral research and continues to work with Cognishine as an external advisor. Her work has been published in numerous internationally renowned journals.

In this conversation, we discuss:

✅How different clinical disciplines can collaborate with each other, as well as IT professionals to create engaging therapy resources.

✅Using technology to enhance (but not replace) interactive in-person experiences.

✅Thinking of digital platforms and therapy materials as a communication tool for team collaboration and parent coaching. 

✅Leveraging online materials to provide scaffolding for therapists so they don’t have to start from scratch; while still allowing room for engagement and creativity. 

Learn more about Cognishine here: https://www.cognishine.com/

Follow Cognishine on LinkedIn here. https://www.linkedin.com/company/cognishine-therapy-and-education-ltd/

Explore some of Congishine’s Educational Resources and Free Activities here: https://app.cognishine.com/en-us/free-activities

Connect with Dr. Karen on LinkedIn directly here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-rose-ph-d-228757327/
 
In this episode, I mention the School of Clinical Leadership, my program that helps related service providers develop a strategic plan for putting executive functioning support in place in collaboration with their school teams. You can learn more about that program here: https://drkarendudekbrannan.com/clinicalleadership

We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. 

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

In this episode, I’m answering FAQs from the School of Clinical Leadership members about supporting students’ executive functioning.

I answer the following questions:

What is frontloading, and why is it useful for students experiencing executive dysfunction and anxiety?

When is it best to use structured, explicit instruction, and when is it best to let students figure things out on their own?

How do you help students who won’t complete work unless they have an adult sitting next to them?

How do we provide ENOUGH support for students who need explicit instruction, but not so much that we’re making students prompt dependent?

What can school staff do if parents aren’t setting boundaries with kids at home?

How can we support parents who are struggling with bed times and morning routines? 

This Q & A was done for members of the School of Clinical Leadership, my program that teaches related service providers how to support executive functioning in the K-12 setting. You can learn more about the program here: https://drkarenspeech.lpages.co/lta-foundations-enrollment-2-web-fb

I also mentioned my Time Tracking Journal tool, which provides a strategy that helps children build the executive functioning skills they need to complete multistep tasks. You can learn more about the Time Tracking Journal here: https://drkarendudekbrannan.com/timejournal

You can sign up for the free executive functioning training called “How to be evidence-based and neurodiversity-affirming with executive functioning support” here: https://drkarendudekbrannan.com/efleadership

I mentioned an additional examples of frontloading for social situations in this previous podcast episode: EP 167: Executive Functioning Support: Three Paradigm Shifts for School Teams. Link here: https://drkarendudekbrannan.com/ep-167-a-framework-for-executive-functioning-intervention-three-shifts-for-school-teams/

Finally, I mention the explicit instruction framework by Anita Archer and Charles Hughes. Link here: https://explicitinstruction.org/ 

We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. 

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

A good school leader knows how to protect their staff from initiatives and fires they may need to put out on a regular basis. In many cases if you’re unaware of everything your school administrator is dealing with, it means they’re doing their job well. 

This lack of awareness of what happens behind-the-scenes may mean little appreciation for everything administrators are dealing with. While negative perceptions exist towards teachers and other school staff members as well, the public tends to be even more unforgiving towards those in leadership positions. 

Yet despite all the negativity, I’m optimistic. Part of that is because of the many conversations I’ve had with public sector leaders. When you remove the parts from the whole, and speak with the individuals who are part of the bigger system, it's easier to see past the politics and have an appreciation for the work being done. 

That’s why I’m highlighting impactful clips from three past interviews focused on the struggles of school leaders, as well as what’s possible when we put the right supports in place for students, teachers, and the people leading them. 

These interviews feature discussions on:

✅The impact of social media on the perception of education, and shedding light on the “behind-the-scenes” challenges of principals. 

✅The importance of positive adult role models in shaping kids’ beliefs about what’s 

✅The power of K-12 education in creating life opportunities.  

✅Using meditation to decrease disciplinary write-ups and increase your own creative problem-solving.

✅How to use the 85% rule to support your mental health and show up for your students. 

You can listen to the full interviews here along with guest bios:

EP 114: Do school leaders need coaching? (with Dan Kelley) Link here: https://drkarendudekbrannan.com/ep-114-do-school-leaders-need-coaching-with-dan-kelley/

EP 128: Using K-12 education to create opportunities and find your calling (with Dr. Joseph Williams) Link here: https://drkarendudekbrannan.com/ep-128-using-k-12-education-to-create-opportunities-and-find-your-calling-with-dr-joseph-williams-iii/

EP 124: Meditation for educators and the art of giving 85% (with Danny Bauer) Link here: https://drkarendudekbrannan.com/ep-124-meditation-for-educators-and-the-art-of-giving-85-with-danny-bauer/

In this episode, I mention the School of Clinical Leadership, my program that helps related service providers develop a strategic plan for putting executive functioning support in place in collaboration with their school teams. You can learn more about that program here: https://drkarendudekbrannan.com/clinicalleadership

We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. 

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

Many people classify swallowing and feeding intervention as a “medical” service that shouldn’t be addressed in the schools.  

This is a very black and white (and inaccurate) way of thinking. 

Children with complex medical needs have a right to FAPE. 

Measuring whether or not students are accessing their curriculum can’t be solely based on grades; which is unfortunately what many teams default to when it comes to determining if services and accommodations are educationally relevant. 

That’s why I invited pediatric swallowing and feeding specialist Carolyn Dolby to the De Facto Leaders podcast to talk about what school teams can, and SHOULD be doing for swallowing and feeding in the schools. 

Carolyn Dolby, MS, CCC-SLP, specializes in pediatric feeding and swallowing evaluations and interventions as the Dysphagia Support Speech Language Pathologist for a large public school in the Pacific NorthWest. In her prior experience as a clinician, she has served populations across the lifespan in medical, in-home, and private practice settings. Her graduate-level courses for the University of Houston prepare the next generation of school-based dysphagia providers. In her ‘Bite-Sized Advice’ private practice, she provides consultation services and dysphagia support nationwide. She presents locally and nationally with a focus on delivering dynamic dysphagia services.

In this conversation, we discuss:

✅The phases of swallowing, including the “pre-oral phase” schools need to consider.

✅How the environment and events leading up to meal times impact a kid's ability to eat safely and efficiently in the lunchroom. 

✅Why the “curriculum” isn’t just about academic areas, and removing a child from an opportunity to socialize can be a violation of their rights. 

✅Children need to be able to access their LRE. They can’t do this if they can’t maintain adequate nutrition and hydration across the school day.

✅Court cases, legal mandates, and which “medical” services schools should be providing. 

You can connect with Carolyn at [email protected].

Listen to the School of Speech Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAqLI0-BOrrL4ftJWyDf1HewdiHAjKGuJ 

Listen to my interview on the School of Speech Podcast called “Positioning Yourself as a Literacy and Executive Functioning Expert on Your School Team” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmY0MR6H7QM&list=PLAqLI0-BOrrL4ftJWyDf1HewdiHAjKGuJ&index=4

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Emily Homer’s Students Eat Safely Website. Link here: https://www.emilymhomer.com

The International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) website: https://iddsi.org

In this episode, I mention Language Therapy Advance Foundations, my program that helps SLPs create a system for language therapy. You can learn more about Language Therapy Advance Foundations here: https://drkarenspeech.com/languagetherapy/

We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. 

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

Helping families feel involved in their child’s school experience is a challenge; and underrepresented populations may often feel like their voices aren’t being heard.

While it can help if school staff buy in to the idea of family engagement, it’s difficult for schools to make it happen without the right systems in place. 

That’s why I invited Ari Gerzon-Kessler to episode 200 of De Facto Leaders to talk about the “Families and Educators Together”, or FET team framework he’s developed. 

Ari Gerzon-Kessler is a sought after speaker and professional learning provider. He is the author of “On The Same Team: Bringing Educators & Underrepresented Families Together,” which won the Gold Medal from the Independent Publishers Book Awards for outstanding education book of 2024. Ari is a speaker, trainer, and coach working with schools and districts committed to forging stronger school-family partnerships. He also leads the Family Partnerships department for the Boulder Valley School District (CO).

Ari has been an educator since 2000, having served as a principal and bilingual teacher. In 2006, Ari was a recipient of the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund. As principal, his school received the Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Award in 2013. His leadership efforts to strengthen partnerships with underrepresented families and dismantle unjust practices was featured in Education Week in 2015.

In this conversation, we discuss:

✅How to get and keep families engaged in the “Families and Educators Together” (FET) Team

✅What’s the difference between the PTO and the FET team, and how can these two teams work together.

✅“Event-based” planning versus “Engagement-based” planning?

✅Using a combination of technology and in-person events to increase equity and help families feel more included in their children’s school experience.

✅How to set up systems that enable educators to have regular positive communication with families. 

In this episode, I mention the School of Clinical Leadership, my program that helps related service providers develop a strategic plan for putting executive functioning support in place in collaboration with their school teams. You can learn more about that program here: https://drkarendudekbrannan.com/clinicalleadership

Learn more about Ari’s workshops, articles, and resources here: https://tinyurl.com/4yaszykn

You can connect with Ari on LinkedIn here: www.linkedin.com/in/arigerzon-kessler

Connect with him on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/ari.gerzonkessler/

Get his book  “On The Same Team: Bringing Educators & Underrepresented Families Together,” here: https://www.solutiontree.com/on-the-same-team.html

Email him at [email protected].

We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. 

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

Finding the resources and funding for learning tools and enriching events is a consistent challenge for many districts. 

The PTO is often a largely underutilized resource, but most people cringe at the thought of having to attend one more committee meeting, especially in the evenings. 

Yet a well-run PTO can help take some of the load off of school staff and leverage resources in the community.

That’s why I was excited to talk to Christina Hidek from PTO Answers about how school staff and PTOs can work together. 

Christina Hidek is a recovering attorney turned Professional Organizer and certified PTO volunteer nerd. She founded PTO Answers 7 years ago to boost family engagement in schools and empower parents to improve their child’s educational experience and school community through PTA/PTO involvement. She’s been an active PTO leader for the past 14 years and hosts the vibrant 7900 plus member Super Star PTO Leaders Facebook Group. When she’s not volunteering, you can find her in her garden, listening to the latest Katherine Center audiobook or walking the family dogs.

In this conversation, we discuss:

✅How to get people to show up to the first PTO meeting (hint: It’s not by asking, “Hey, want to join the PTO?”)

✅Ways people can get involved if they can’t come to PTO meetings.

✅Examples of low-maintenance, high-profit fundraisers.

✅Deciding what events and initiatives are a priority for your district.

✅Creative ways to get resources, funding, and donations. 

Here’s where you can go to connect with Christina: 

On Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/ptoanswers 

On Pinterest here: https://www.pinterest.com/ptoanswers 

On YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/c/ptoanswers

Take a look at her website here: https://ptoanswers.com/

Sign up for the PTO/Teachers Collaboration Guide here: https://ptoanswers.com/teachers/

Join the PTO Super Star Leaders Facebook Group: https://ptoanswers.com/community 

We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. 

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.