edu-Me

This is a very special episode for us. It's not only our 10th episode but our guests are my parents. Having emigrated from India in the '60s, there was a large learning curve for them to overcome. The education system is vastly different in India than America. They learned that our teachers here were overwhelmed with limited resources. And they had not yet met an Indian family from India. Many thought we were Native Americans. I know, right? Hard to imagine this today. There were also some differences in the teacher/student/parent relationship that they learned as we were growing up. 

My parents have persevered and successfully raised my brother and I. Their journey is, obviously, a personal one. But they also share their pearls of wisdom that can help everyone but especially immigrants. I urge you to hear their story. You will understand, through the lens of their life, what many immigrants face when they are learning a new country, culture and system. 

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Lesley V. Chambers is back to share her insight on what we need to know about grades 10-12. There is so much to understand and figure out in these crucial years as our children plan their post-secondary paths. High school is an overwhelming time for students and parents alike.

Let Lesley take some of the mystique out and give you some concrete ideas that can make your job a bit easier. She breaks down what we need to know for each grade level including plans for technical college, military and college paths. 

As busy as our children are during this time between their classes and planning for post-graduation, it's easy to get behind. Lesley will give you a schedule and keep you on track for a seamless transition. 

As a mother of four, Lesley alleviated much of my anxiety during these years. She can help you, too!

Got an incoming 9th grader? Check out episode #8. 

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Lesley V. Chambers, the Director of Student Services at Harrison School for the Arts in Polk County, Florida, joins us for this new episode. 

Each year of high school brings challenges for the student and parent. High school is a stressful time as students juggle the daily pressures of academic and social expectations while simultaneously working on setting themselves up for successful post-secondary plans. It is an overwhelming time for the entire family. 

Thankfully, we have taken a bit of the frenzy out and spread it out over two episodes. Lesley breaks down everything you need to know for each year of high school to ensure you are 'in the know' of how best to prepare your child for their post-secondary goals.

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Billy Townsend is back with a new episode focusing on school testing. Head's Up: he is not an fan of standardized tests, but he shares his insight and research as to why. And they will cause you to take pause. Many of you may not agree with this position, but I urge you to listen to this as it is informative and detailed episode that will certainly enlighten you. Billy, a Polk County School Board Member (Florida), is passionate about ensuring students are the focus of education. He takes deep dives into various aspects of education that seem inequitable, does extensive research, and shares his findings on his  website, www.billytownsend.com.

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We all have WAY too much on our plates. Between work, schools, homework, extracurricular activities and managing the family, we are in a constant juggling act. And if you're like my husband and I, usually everyone gets looked after but us. 

So, Punam is back with her advice for those busy weeks coming up. She reached out to several of her friends and family to get advice on what they do to make those crazy busy weeks less stressful. We compiled all their advice for this episode. We discuss everything from dinners to evening events.

Listen in and make your weeks a tad easier, too!

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Billy Townsend, Polk County School Board Member, joins us to discuss the different school configurations and the pros and cons of each. Having spent hours doing research on schools in Florida, Billy brings a wealth of knowledge for all of us to think about as we begin to understand and choose the school that will benefit our child the most. 

If you'd like to learn more about his quest to understand the education system, visit his website at www.billytownsend.com

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Yours truly goes solo in this episode to share some tips that I learned over the years to survive the holidays. The holidays were always a juggling act with four children 4.5 years apart and a husband who was a small business owner. So, I created some ways to ensure all my holiday tasks were completed while also enjoying the time my family was home all while maintaining my sanity.
Find your zen this holiday season by listening in to our latest episode. And remember to breathe!

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Schools are always looking for ways to raise money to provide 'extras' to teachers and students whether it be upgraded technology or grade level supportive material or school experiences. Although bake sales and car washes can be lucrative ways to fundraise, Dr. Daryl Ward, Ph.D., and principal of Harrison School for the Arts in Polk County, Florida, says that if we create a fund development plan (different from fundraising), then we can create a consistent stream of funds to cover those experiences and opportunities for our schools. 

Dr. Ward shares Harrison's 7-year philanthropic journey which has consistently raised funds to enhance student experience and provide educational opportunities. Tune in and be inspired to start your own fund development plan for your school!

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Julie Ward, M.Ed., joins us to share her insights on getting involved in your child's school. Parent volunteering is a need that is crucial to the whole volunteering scene. Julie gives us insight on how to become engaged as a parent volunteer at the elementary and middle school levels. She provides pro tips for parents who would like to volunteer and have varied time commitments. There is something for everyone!

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Jessica Solano, Polk County and Florida Teacher of the Year, 2017, joins us to explain the correlation between emotional security (Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs) of a student and its impact on student's academic success (Bloom's Taxonomy). Jessica shares her personal experiences and her personal expertise as we begin to understand the strong relationship between the two. 

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