EdLeader

The 20th episode of EdLeader is dedicated to the Class of 2020. In this episode, Dr. Jackson sits down with Valedictorian Ethan Hughson and Salutatorian Hannah Rose to discuss what this school year has been like and how it has impacted the Class of 2020. As Ethan, Hannah, and their peers around the world prepare to leave behind their K-12 school careers to head to college, career, or the military, they do so with an experience that none before them have had. Born around the time of 9/11, having lived through several major hurricanes, and now having had their senior year impacted, this class is ready for just about anything the world may throw at it.

Thank you for being a part of the EdLeader community and for helping to grow the podcast across the country and around the world. More importantly, thank you for all that you do for others! Good luck to the Class of 2020!

@Dr_Rob_Jackson
www.drrobjackson.com

In this episode of EdLeader, Dr. Jackson sits down with North Carolina State Board of Education Chairman Eric Davis to discuss leadership and meeting the challenges of the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. Chairman Davis compares teachers, principals, and superintendents with mighty lighthouses "standing tall and sending out a beacon of hope, and safety and security and care to each one of our students." He describes that like a lighthouse, the light shines not for the sender, but for all of those who are in darkness, regardless of demographic characteristic. His message of encouragement and appreciation for all Edleaders is one most needed and most appreciated. Dr. Jackson describes this episode as one of the most powerful and moving conversations I have had.

Chairman Eric Davis was appointed as an at-large member of the NC State Board of Education in January 2015.  He graduated 9th in the Class of 1983 from the United States Military Academy, West Point, NY, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering.  He served as an Airborne Ranger combat engineer officer in the US Army and is a professional engineer in North Carolina. He is a public school graduate as are his children.

Show Notes are available at www.drrobjackson.com
Dr. Rob Jackson - @Dr_Rob_Jackson
 

In this episode of EdLeader, Dr. Jackson sits down with Dr. Michael Sasscer to discuss seven tips for parents in supporting their child’s remote learning. Developed by Larry Ferlazzo, these seven tips give concrete examples of how parents might help their children continue their academic progress even while they are away from school and away from their teachers. Just as most teachers were not trained in how to teach online, most parents have not been taught how to serve as their child’s educational facilitator. These tips for parents are just as applicable to all caregivers and are helpful for EdLeaders in supporting parents during the school closures caused by the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Michael Sasscer serves as the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction for the Edenton-Chowan Schools system in Edenton, North Carolina. He has been a public school educator for 23 years. He is a former Teaching Fellow, a former Principal Fellow, and earned National Board Certification as a high school Math teacher.

@Dr_Rob_Jackson
www.drrobjackson.com

In this episode of EdLeader, Dr. Jackson sits down with Dr. Lory Morrow, to discuss overcoming an obstacle that is faced by school districts across the country and around the world: lack of access to high-quality internet. This lack of access impacts students, families, and community members. Dr. Morrow and her team have met that challenge with collaboration, seeking out and using good data, and employing innovative solutions. They have created a “Next-Level” system of exterior wi-fi. 

Dr. Lory Morrow serves as the Superintendent of the Lincoln County Schools in Lincolnton, North Carolina. She has been a public school educator for 29 years. She is the current President-Elect for the North Carolina Association of School Administrators (NCASA) and Past President of the North Carolina Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development (NCASCD).

Dr Rob Jackson - @Dr_Rob_Jackson
www.drrobjackson.com

In this episode of EdLeader, Dr. Jackson sits down with two gifted Instructional Leaders, Dr. Brad Breedlove and Dr. John Jones, to discuss supporting academics during remote learning in the unprecedented challenges presented by the coronavirus, COVID-19. Chief Academic Officers in large school districts, Dr. Breedlove and Dr. Jones share their belief in grace over grades, in the need to share a message of hope, in the power of well-crafted flexible plans, in meaningful feedback, and in continuing to seek unresponsive students. The trio also discuss the current role of MTSS (Multi-Tiered Systems of Support) in meeting the unique needs of students during this time.

Dr. John Jones serves as the Chief Academic and Accountability Officer for Rock Hill Schools in Rock Hill South Carolina. He has been serving as in public education for 31 years. Dr. Brad Breedlove serves as the Chief Academic Officer for Union County Public Schools in Monroe, North Carolina. He has been a public school educator for 21 years.  Their decades of experience leading in the area of curriculum and instruction give them a perspective and valuable insight that all EdLeaders can benefit from as they reflect on their current challenges.

Follow Dr. Jackson - @Dr_Rob_Jackson
www.drrobjackson.com

In this episode of EdLeader, Dr. Jackson sits down virtually with two very experienced classroom teachers to discuss teaching with grace as the current pandemic forces teachers to radically change the way teachers deliver instruction and support students.The coronavirus pandemic finds students in all sorts of circumstances. Some are caring for younger siblings, being cared for by older siblings, home alone, dealing with the unexpected unemployment of a parent, lacking internet access, dealing with domestic turmoil, or just scared by the current events. In the midst of a very different situations themselves, still teachers and staff are giving their all for our children.

The best schools and school districts recognize and empower teachers as leaders. Ms. Stacey Banks is a 23-year teaching veteran. She teaches Fifth Grade Science and Social Studies at D.F. Walker Elementary School. Ms. Krista Perry is a seventh grade math teacher at Chowan Middle School. Each is recognized as a leader in their schools and in the school district. https://bit.ly/2VAMJAE

@Dr_Rob_Jackson
@EdLeaderPod

In this episode of EdLeader, Dr. Jackson sits down with the current North Carolina State Superintendent of the Year and one of the longest tenured superintendents in the state of North Carolina, Dr. Patrick Miller. Dr. Jackson and Dr. Miller discuss ongoing school district efforts to meet the unprecedented challenges presented by the coronavirus, COVID-19. After leading through the aftermath caused when a tornado ripped through a middle school in 2011, Dr. Miller’s experiences with leading through a crisis and his leadership in the state during this current pandemic give him a perspective and valuable insight that all EdLeaders can benefit from as they reflect on their current challenges. Dr. Miller serves as a mentor and thought-partner to superintendents throughout the state.

Dr. Miller has served as the Superintendent of the Greene County Schools system for twelve years, a place where he grew up, attended school, and served as a teacher and principal prior to being named Superintendent. Recently, Dr. Miller was selected as the Greene County Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year. Greene County was selected as one of 25 National Models of Innovative Successful Practices and is looked to as an innovation leader in the state.

Show Notes available at https://drrobjackson.blogspot.com/2020/04/edleader-episode-14.html

As the coronavirus, COVID-19, spread across the country, EdLeaders in schools everywhere found themselves in the midst of unprecedented challenges. Extended school closures necessitated the development of remote learning protocols and the need to provide meals to students who might live in food-insecure homes. In the middle of this massive change swirled the anxiety caused by a dread virus whose numbers grew alarmingly as days crept by. Charged with supporting the well-being of students and staff, school counselors responded with a caring sense of calm, connecting those with needs to those with resources. They counseled teachers on strategies to reduce stress in students while they themselves balanced the needs in their personal lives with the needs of those in their care.

In this episode of EdLeader, Dr. Jackson sits down virtually with two all-star school counselors who share their approach and work to support all students, particularly the most vulnerable, during the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. They discuss balancing supporting the school work of their personal children with the demands of supporting the students on their caseload. The counselors also share thoughts and recommendations for Teachers and other EdLeaders on how to best support the social and emotional needs of students during a pandemic.

Mrs. Katie Milligan serves as the School Counselor at White Oak Elementary School, a school serving students in grades Pre-Kindergarten through Second Grade. Mrs. Jennifer Cobb serves as a School Counselor at John A. Holmes High School. Both schools are a part of the Edenton-Chowan Public School System in Northeastern North Carolina. Each is in their seventh year as a School Counselor and each is a parent of Edenton-Chowan Schools students.

www.drrobjackson.com

Within the past few days, two school systems became among the first in the state of North Carolina to have lab-confirmed cases of Coronavirus COVID-19 connected to the school. Join the superintendents of those school systems, EdLeader host Dr. Rob Jackson and Dr. Ethan Lenker, as they discuss how they approached the unprecedented challenge presented when this ongoing pandemic enters the lives of students, teachers, staff, and the community.

Charles Swindoll said that life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it. As EdLeaders, we did not ask for this challenge, but we are not going to lose faith in our collective ability to meet the needs of our students as together we hold the chaos at bay and help our students, families, staff, and communities navigate through. Leadership matters and EdLeaders around the world have stepped up in big ways.

In this episode of EdLeader, Dr. Rob Jackson sits down with Milken Award winner Rachel O'Kelley. Called the "Oscars of Teaching," the $25,000 Milken awards honor early to mid-career educators who are making a true difference in the lives of children. Rachel O'Kelley is a Physics, Chemistry, Physical Science, and Biology teacher at John A. Holmes High School. She uses competition and teamwork in equal measure to encourage students to achieve what they previously did not believe was possible.

Mrs. O'Kelley teaches in the same classroom she sat in as a student. From that same classroom, she shares with Dr. Jackson that this is "where the magic happens." The magic is the moment when a student "gets it" for the very first time, when they surprise themselves with their success. As an EdLeader, Mrs. O'Kelley mentors new teachers, serves on the School Improvement Leadership Team, and sponsors student clubs.

Show notes are available at www.drrobjackson.com.