Education Evolution

Explore the crucial role of school boards in driving student success and effective governance in our latest podcast episode with AJ Crabill. In this week's episode, AJ offers valuable insights into the key struggles faced by school boards and the importance of shifting the focus away from adult inputs and toward student outcomes. He shares the behaviors and actions that set successful boards apart, including how they spend their time and prioritize the growth of children.

Creating a continuous improvement cycle within school boards is so important, and AJ emphasizes the need to clarify priorities, monitor progress, align resources, and communicate results to the community. And he tells us why a student outcomes focus is paramount and how it impacts decision-making and resource allocation.

Furthermore, AJ highlights the significant role of parent involvement in school boards, as they represent the vision and values of the community within the education system. Find out how parents can actively engage in the school board, regardless of their educational background, by focusing on implementing the community's vision and values.

Don't miss this enlightening conversation that empowers education leaders, teachers, principals, and decision-makers to prioritize student outcomes and foster effective governance within school boards. Tune in now to gain valuable insights and actionable strategies.

Improving student outcomes is AJ Crabill's focus. He serves as conservator at DeSoto, Texas ISD. During his guidance, DeSoto improved from F ratings in academics, finance, and governance to B ratings. He's also faculty at Leadership Institute of Nevada and director of governance at the Council of the City Great Schools. He served as deputy commissioner at the Texas Education Agency and spearheaded reforms as board chair of Kansas City Schools that doubled the percentage of students who are literate and numerate. Crabill is a recipient of the Education Commission of the State's James Bryant Conant Award.

[1:41] - Where AJ's passion for school excellence came from

[3:01] - Key struggles that school boards face

[6:01] - What healthy board behaviors look like

[7:40] - What successful boards do differently

[9:02] - Great on Their Behalf: Why School Boards Fail

[10:56] - Five steps of a continuous improvement cycle

[12:18] - The only reason schools exist

[14:46] - Understanding what it means to have a student outcomes focus

[21:35] - Where to find support for school boards

[22:28] - The importance of parent involvement

[25:07] - How parents can go about getting involved in the school board

[29:32] - Turbo Time

[34:10] - AJ's Magic Wand

[36:30] - Maureen's Takeaways

Get the first chapter of AJ's book

EffectiveSchoolBoards.com

Great on Their Behalf

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You don't have to be an educator to make an impact in education. Sometimes it's a concerned parent, looking for what's best for their own child who can make the biggest impact. And the more parents like this week's guest, Tanya Sheckley, take action, the faster we'll have educational systems and support for all our youth.

When Tanya's daughter needed additional support at school, but the school could only offer a modified curriculum rather than a full inclusion model, Tanya knew that she needed to do something different.

That's when UP Academy was born and Tanya began advocating for educational change.

On this week's episode, Tanya and I talk about how to create more inclusion in schools, why modifications should be available for everyone (not just those with IEPs and 504 plans), what real-life experiences look like in practice, and what others can do to take us out of the status quo.

This is an inspirational interview that will have you thinking about what you can do in your own community. The answer is: a lot!

Tanya Sheckley is founder and president of UP Academy, an elementary lab school which values innovation, empathy, and strength and incorporates a unique neuro-development program for children with physical disabilities. Tanya's vision and mission show it's possible to celebrate differences, challenge what's broken in the American education system, and that all children can receive a rigorous, well-rounded education. She is an edupreneur, author of Rebel Educator: Create Classrooms of Imagination and Impact, and host of the Rebel Educator podcast. She speaks frequently on the future of education and entrepreneurship. She is a rebel educator who works with new and existing schools to question the status quo and develop innovative student experiences through inclusion and project-based learning.

[1:50] - Where Tanya's story of school transformation began

[4:24] - Goal was to create a methodology and prove it was possible, then make it available to others

[5:44] - Creating universal accommodation

[10:42] - Project based learning at UP Academy

[15:15] - Creating Real experience in the world to create self confidence

[15:39] - How learners explore STEAM and innovation

[18:46] - Where impact and imagination meet

[21:27] - Make sure we're pausing and asking the people who are involved what they want

[22:27] - Launching a middle school in fall 2023

[23:20] - Creating core framework and philosophy to support other school founders

[25:28] - What others can do to take us out of the status quo

[26:25] - How can you take things away to give more space for educators to be creative and collaborative

[27:32] - Turbo Time

[31:25] - Tanya's Magic Wand

[33:52] - Maureen's Takeaways

Rebel Educator: Create Classrooms Where IMPACT and IMAGINATION Meet

Rebel Educator Podcast

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Though the tide is slowly turning, not enough schools are offering financial literacy education to students, and I don't know of any states that require it for graduation. Some states may not feel like there's room or resources to teach this vital skill to students, but creative teachers and schools can find a way.

This week on the podcast, I'm talking with Brian Curcio, co-founder of the financial literacy tool Rapunzl. It was founded to provide education about investing through fun and free investment competitions with scholarships and cash prizes. And because of the way it was built, students can learn about financial literacy both in and out of the classroom, opening up the possibilities and creating more accessibility.

It's time for life skills to take priority in the classroom and this is just the beginning of what I hope will be a tidal wave of tools to do just that.

Brian fell in love with the world of investing in high school and quickly developed a passion for financial education after teaching his peers about the stock market. Over time, they realized that ordinary investors have paid a price to learn to invest; and that price typically was real money ending up in Wall Street's pocket. Rapunzl was founded to provide an unparalleled investing education through fun (and free) investment competitions with scholarship and cash prizes.

[1:35] - Where Brian's passion for his work started

[2:49] - What students are currently getting in terms of financial literacy

[4:28] - What students should learn about financial literacy

[6:06] - Making financial literacy more attainable for learners

[7:37] - What teachers need to know to support students through the platform

[9:36] - Teaching financial literacy without a dedicated block in the school day

[11:16] - Teachers don't have to be the expert

[14:12] - Project based learning and growing soft skills

[15:34] - What parents can do to help kids get more established with financial literacy

[18:40] - Award-winning tool

[22:27] - Turbo Time

[25:04] - How others can be activists and transform schools

[26:38] - Brian's Magic Wand

[29:07] - Maureen's Takeaways

Rapunzl Investments

Yass Prize

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Parenting is challenging. We go from being caretakers to teachers to mentors to travel companions and there's a learning curve at each step of the journey. The one that sticks out to so many is the transition into releasing young adults into the post-high school world. There's an entirely new language for parents and students alike and it's not easy to navigate.

This week on the podcast, I'm talking with Colin Pears, founder of Highpoint Education. Colin saw a communication and development need for new college students and created a resource to bridge this gap. So many high school graduates go into college not having the maturity and sense of self to make the most of it. They need support in the transition.

A circle of care is necessary for these young adults, and Colin and his organization have created a resource to make that happen. Tune in for our conversation around what post-secondary education preparation should look like; how parents and students can find the right tools for their needs; how we can reimagine the relationship between students, parents, and institutions; and more.

Dr. Pears is the founder and executive director of Highpoint Education, a company dedicated to providing students and families with the support they need to navigate the transition from high school to college and ensure that students are successful once they arrive on campus.

Dr. Pears was formerly the University Director of Academic Support and Advising and Co-Director of The Center for Academic and Career Success at The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. He is an expert on student success and retention and has teaching experience at the primary, secondary, and university levels of education.

As a higher education administrator, Dr. Pears developed support frameworks and retention initiatives for high-risk, under-represented, and underserved students, served as a professional consultant, and trained faculty, advisors, and academic coaches on important aspects of student engagement and pedagogy. He holds an MA in Political Science and an MA in Philosophy from Boston College, and a PhD in Philosophy from The Catholic University of America.

[1:45] - Colin's story of school transformation

[4:39] - What happens in transition to college

[5:45] - We're asking too much of college students

[6:35] - Creating circle of care with public health model

[7:40] - Students need to be prepared for questioning their beliefs and figuring out who they are

[9:38] - What post-secondary education preparation looks like

[15:01] - When parents and students should get started

[19:25] - Students can't be effective without the right skills and tools

[20:55] - Parents/student relationships have changed

[24:21] - The greatest success for parent/child relationships

[26:33] - How to shift the thinking that college is the path for everyone

[31:07] - The reality of 4-year to 2-year colleges is vastly different

[32:37] - Educational access is important

[34:09] - Turbo Time

[44:20] - Colin's Magic Wand

[46:12] - Maureen's takeaways

Highpoint Education

Connect with Colin on LinkedIn

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Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools

The Education Evolution

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Internships play a crucial role in shaping the careers of young professionals, providing them with valuable industry experience and insights. In this podcast episode, Rob Khoury shares his journey of discovering how to create the best environment possible for interns. Inspired by an incredible intern who taught him the importance of meeting interns' needs, Rob offers valuable insights for employers on optimizing the internship experience.

Creating exceptional internship experiences requires intention, ongoing communication, and a commitment to the growth and development of interns. By following the principles of exceptional internships, employers can provide valuable learning opportunities, foster meaningful connections, and make a lasting impact on the next generation of professionals.

Whether you're an organization wanting to create the best internship experience, an intern wanting to benefit from an internship or an educator helping students find internships, this episode will provide invaluable insights.

Robert J. Khoury is co-founder and CEO of Agile Rainmakers, a high-impact business development consulting and advisory firm based in Chicago's Gold Coast. Previously, he had a 20+ year career in the financial industry that had him in many leadership roles.

Rob earned a BSE in Electrical Engineering at Princeton University and his MBA in Finance and International Business from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business. He led personal and professional development seminars for Landmark Worldwide for several years.

Rob is co-author of How To Intern Successfully: Insights & Actions to Optimize Your Experience.

[1:38] - Where Rob's story of transformation began

[3:09] - What is Agile Rainmakers

[4:35] - How employers can attract interns that are the best fit for

[6:25] - An investment in the intern is an investment in the intern

[7:49] - Have interns check in with their friends and bring their feedback back to you

[13:21] - Help potential interns get really clear so they know what they're looking for

[17:33] - Network to get to know people, not to find an opportunity

[18:16] - What kind of mentoring employers should provide

[21:39] - 9 principles of exceptional internships - THE BRIDGE

[29:53] - We need more organizations to mentor

[32:20] - Turbo Time

[33:49] - What people need to know about creating meaningful internships

[36:20] - Rob's Magic Wand

[38:42] - Maureen's Takeaways

DeBruce Foundation

How to Intern Successfully: Insights & Actions to Optimize Your Experience by Rob Knoury

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Homeschooling often gets a bad rap because of myths that parents believe about it. Contrary to popular belief, homeschooled kids have numerous opportunities to socialize or participate in group activities. And what many families experienced while their kids attended remote school during the pandemic is not an indication of what homeschooling looks like.

This week on the podcast, Mandy Davis, a former school administrator, shares what homeschooling looks like in her home. She shares her insights and experiences in creating a nurturing and empowering learning environment for her children.

In our conversation, Mandy highlights the importance of open conversations about educational options, advocating for children, and the power of community and connection in parenting.

Listen in and gain valuable insights into authentic, student-driven learning and the power of homeschooling in nurturing well-rounded individuals. Let's continue to challenge the status quo and create educational environments that prioritize emotional well-being and individualized learning experiences.

Mandy Davis is a former school principal with a background in both public and private education. With a passion to provide both a solid academic foundation alongside life-giving opportunities and freedom for her children, she watched her priorities and goals shift.

Bringing all of her focus back to the home, Mandy and her husband, Josh, found themselves moving their family on 10 acres in Central Oregon, and creating the life they had only dreamed could exist. Now a homeschooling, homesteading family of five, Mandy shares her stories and experience to help other mom's find joy through giving their children a wild and free life!

Homesteading, homemaking, homeschool, student centered learning, COVID's learning disruption, charters, distance learning, interest led learning, rise in problematic behavior in schools

[2:02] - Where Mandy's educational activism came from

[3:50] - What Mandy created for her family

[5:08] - what's working for Mandy and her kids

[7:26] - Struggles in homeschooling

[9:03] - Transformations that come from this model

[14:40] - Easing into homeschooling

[16:12] - The importance of connecting with other homeschool families

[18:08] - What goes into school choice

[22:38] - What's next for Mandy and her mission

[23:25] - Turbo Time

[24:28] - What people need to know about authentic, student-driven learning

[25:15] - How to be an activist to transform learning

[26:08] - Mandy's Magic Wand

[26:52] - Maureen's Takeaways

Homebuilt Education

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How to Get Started Homeschooling

8 Types of Homeschooling

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Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools

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We know that every child deserves a quality education, but did you know where the roots started to form for universal design for learning (UDL)? This week on the podcast, I'm talking to a powerhouse in education about the power of teaching different students in different ways. Something just makes sense when you consider how very different we all are.

In this episode, Dr. Virginia (Ginny) Simmons, an advocate for UDL, shares her journey of transforming education to create inclusive classrooms that cater to the unique needs of every student. Reflecting on the limitations of traditional special education, Ginny emphasizes the importance of recognizing different "brain prints" and implementing innovative teaching methods.

UDL shifts the focus from textbooks to empowering teachers as they tailor goals and objectives to meet the individual needs of their students. By embracing multiple intelligences, incorporating personal interests, and integrating technology, educators can create engaging and inclusive learning environments that foster higher-order thinking skills. Ginny's insights inspire educators to harness the power of UDL, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential in the classroom.

Dr. Virginia Simmons makes over achievers look like lightweights. Not only is she serving learners and supporting educators fully well past when many may have retired, but she has more degrees than a room full of educators. Ginny has undergrad degrees in elementary ed, English, social studies, four master's degrees in mental disabilities, behavior disorders, learning disabilities, gifted and talented, and then a doctorate in special education and admin.

[2:24] - Her accomplishments started when a principal told her to go to college

[5:07] - Think in an open way; don't close the door

[5:48] - Where Ginny started in special education

[8:50] - Educators looked at reasons for universal design and applied it to learning

[11:50] - We were creating isolated worlds

[14:12] - Research started to show the way to teaching special education

[15:38] - Universal Design for Learning is caring for every student in the classroom

[16:46] - The textbook is just a book; the teacher is who implements the goals and objectives

[18:30] - How many intelligences can you include in one lesson

[19:19] - Higher-order thinking skills and technology

[24:21] - Teaching prosody

[29:03] - How teachers can implement universal learning in their classrooms

[32:16] - Turbo Time

[43:30] - Ginny's Magic Wand

[44:53] - Maureen's Takeaways

What is Universal Design for Learning?

Visible Learning and John Hattie

Gardner's Multiple Intelligences

Critical Thinking and other Higher-Order Skills

What is prosody?

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Deregulating zoning and occupancy laws is crucial to support the growth of micro-schools, providing diverse educational options for students. But few know what steps to take or who to talk to.

This week on the podcast, Jon England of Libertas Institute shares how changing policies can help create new learning opportunities for students who don't thrive in the traditional education system.

Jon highlights the limitations of the public education system and emphasizes empowering parents and teachers to explore innovative approaches in education. And we discuss the risks entrepreneurs face in challenging traditional norms and building alternative models to create a system that caters to individual student needs.

This thought-provoking conversation with Jon England calls for educational transformation through innovation, individualized learning, and policy change. Together, let's create an education system that empowers students, supports teachers, and nurtures the unique potential within each child.

Jon is the Education Policy Analyst at Libertas Institute. He is a fourteen-year veteran of public schools. He taught both fifth and sixth grades, receiving Weber District's E+ Team Award. He proudly homeschools and micro schools his children with his wife.

Jon received his bachelor's degree in elementary education from the University of Utah and a master's degree in educational leadership from Western Governors University. He spent time in the Marine Corps and separated as a sergeant in 2006.

During his time in public schools, Jon increasingly understood the importance of parental empowerment in education. This increased understanding led him to join Libertas to provide educational freedom for families. Jon enjoys spending time with his wife and five children traveling, skiing, and playing games.

[1:48] - John shares his story of school transformation

[3:35] - Deregulating some of the zoning and occupancy laws to help support micro-school founders

[6:07] - The risks that entrepreneurs face in education

[7:00] - Why create more schools for children?

[9:44] - Breakout school for children with ADHD and autism

[13:05] - Every child has greatness and it's our responsibility to draw that out

[16:46] - Where can we begin to be a part of policy change

[20:09] - Our common humanity is more important than politics

[22:45] - Turbo Time

[23:15] - What people need to know about educational policy

[25:47] - Jon's Magic Wand

[27:03] - Maureen's takeaways

Breakout School

A for Arizona

The Anatomy of Peace by The Arbinger Institute

Episode 128: Making Sure Our Kids are Okay with Jordan Posamentier

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Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools

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After watching her son struggle with severe impulse control, to the point where it was negatively impacting her family on a daily basis, Dianne Kosto became a mom on a mission. She had tried it all: private school, home school, boarding school, and even a military academy. But her son was always sent back home because he didn't follow the program.

Dianne, this week's podcast guest, found another way. Neurofeedback technology.

Dianne got trained in using neurofeedback, then helped her son and others in his boarding school use it to fill in gaps in the "brain wiring" that helped the brain regulate more effectively. And what she learned in the process became a whole new mission for her.

This week, we're talking about brain regulation and rewiring to support people with challenges that are all over the map. Dianne shares where it can be used and how it can support just about anyone, because the reality is that we all have dysregulated brains.

Dianne KostoDianne Kosto, Founder and CEO of SYMMETRY Neuro-Pathway Training is a Mom on a Mission to make Neurofeedback technology available to families and individuals. She wants to help other families avoid the trauma that her family experienced as a result of her son's brain dysregulation. For years Dianne sought an environment that would help her son thrive as he was kicked out of schools and programs repeatedly. Dianne was given advice by physicians, psychologists, therapists, counselors, education professionals, and school administrators but no one told her about Neurofeedback. When people have dysregulated brains they struggle with physical and emotional pain, life is hard and relationships are damaged. Neurofeedback helps the brain learn to better regulate, when the brain is functioning better people thrive. Dianne knows that Neurofeedback saved her son's life and restored hope for her family.

[1:27] - A mom on a mission

[1:53] - Dianne's story of change

[3:17] - Asking, "what happened to you?"

[6:14] - Learned about a neurofeedback company

[7:28] - Spark came back to her son's eyes

[8:57] - After 40 sessions, he had the pause that he never had before

[10:35] - What neurofeedback looks like

[13:01] - We all need this in our homes

[14:03] - When the brain isn't well-regulated they respond to the same things

[15:05] - Became a trainer for the company, then started own company

[16:35] - Requirements for training

[18:57] - What's needed after therapy

[21:28] - Outliers from babies to peak performers

[23:58] - Next steps for neurofeedback technology

[26:33] - Uncovering even more issues

[28:01] - Getting out of the status quo in thinking about emotional outbursts

[30:24] - Turbo Time

[31:53] - Dianne's passion for what she does

[32:35] - How other parents can be activists

[32:37] - Dianne's Magic Wand

[35:28] - Maureen's Takeaways

SYMMETRY Neuro-PT

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Neuroscience basics

Use for drowsiness detection

EEG in meditation

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The whole college admissions process is frustrating from both sides. Students rely on the school mailers they're inundated with beginning their second or third year of high school. And schools buy student lists and "spray and pray" them with mailers. There's no real science behind it and, as a result, students end up transferring or leaving their college after a semester or two (if they opt to go at all) and colleges are constantly looking for new students to fill seats and meet revenue quotas.

Not only that but students of privilege tend to get better access to college planning resources, leaving a big gap in those who end up with a good fit college vs. those who don't.

David Hurwitt is on a mission to change this. By leveraging research from the dating app eHarmony, he's created a free tool where students can match with a good-fit college. This creates better student successes as well as better results for the colleges and universities that provide data and feedback to the system.

Not every student is meant to go to college, and that's okay. But giving more students access to resources that allow them to forge their own paths is essential. This is a step in the right direction.

Listen in to hear more.

Dave Hurwitt is an innovator. Over the course of his career, he's led the development and launch of new products and services – from toothpicks to wind turbines – that have generated well over $1 billion in sales.

If you have a large, front loading washing machine in your house, that was Dave and his team at Whirlpool. They re-envisioned the traditional, small European washer for the US market and took front loaders from 1% of the market to over 50% today, saving billions of dollars in electricity and water consumption in the process.

Dave has lived and worked around the world, and is now based in Burlington Vermont with his wife and two Golden Retrievers. Their 3 "kids" have now graduated from college, but it was his experience with them on their college journeys that started his innovator's brain cranking on what became Troove.

Having worked in admissions through grad school, he was amazed by how little technology and the internet had impacted the college search and admissions process. And even more, he was dismayed to discover how often students were transferring or dropping out altogether.

In early 2020, this led directly to his founding Troove, a 2-sided, AI powered platform to help students discover their passions, people, and place based on the real experiences of recent alumni and current higher education students.

An accomplished photographer, lover of history, and avid traveler, Dave has made it to every state but Alaska (so far!) and some 50 different countries, camera always in hand. The same curiosity about people that shows up in his photography also shows up in the new products he creates – always with a focus on human interaction and how we can better blend the old and the new.

[1:39] - where did story of school transformation begin for you

[4:49] - The story of Benjamin Woodbridge's application to Harvard in 1637

[6:35] - What can solve this problem

[9:02] - Goal for admissions officers is enrollment, not retention

[12:00] - People don't know exactly what they're looking for, making it difficult to find the right school

[14:04] - Leveling the playing field in higher education against the bias toward those with more means

[17:56] - Why admissions offices need this resources

[20:34] - What the process looks like for students

[25:26] - When to start using a resource like Troove

[32:46] - Turbo Time

[39:04] - David's Magic Wand

[40:53] - Maureen's Takeaways

Troove

Connect with David on LinkedIn

Follow Troove on LinkedIn

Email Maureen

Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools

The Education Evolution

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Maureen's book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids

Micro-school feature on Good Morning America

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