Getting from point A to point B can be a challenge for all of us! But when it comes to our most precious cargo, our children, safety rises to the top. More than 25 million children are transported to and from school and school-related activities every day. So how are school districts overcoming rising fuel prices, and dealing with bus driver shortages? We’ll explore those topics and more in this episode of Educationally Speaking.

Host: Mark Edwards, Oakland Schools' Communications Specialist

Guest: Tom Korth, Oakland Schools’ Transportation Supervisor

Producer: Mark Hansen, Oakland Schools' Media Production and Distance Learning Manager

We've all heard the old adage that communication is key. However, nearly 5 -10 percent of Americans have a communication disorder, this includes speech & language & the deaf & hard-of-hearing communities. So what interventions are in place to ensure that our children are receiving the necessary support that leads to a successful school experience? Who are the professionals responsible for facilitating these critical services? We’ll explore those topics and more in this episode of educationally speaking.

Host: Mark Edwards, Oakland Schools' Communications Specialist

Guests:

Producer: Mark Hansen, Oakland Schools' Media Production and Distance Learning Manager

When it comes to robotics the future is now! From vacuums to lawnmowers, home security systems, personal assistants and even dogs. So how are today’s students learning about and using these rapidly changing technologies? In what ways will robotics shape our world for generations to come? We will explore those topics and more in this episode of educationally speaking.

Host: Mark Edwards, Oakland Schools' Communications Specialist

Guests:

Producer: Mark Hansen, Oakland Schools' Media Production and Distance Learning Manager

What are some of the current challenges facing education? Is it possible to focus on every student in an equitable fashion? Can one educational leader impact change in a community? We explore those topics and more in this episode of educationally speaking as we speak with the 2021-22 MASA Superintendent of the Year, Dr. Dania Bazzi from Ferndale Public Schools.

Host: Mark Edwards, Oakland Schools' Communication Specialist

Guests: Dr. Dania Bazzi, Superintendent, Ferndale Public Schools

Producer: Mark Hansen, Oakland Schools' Media Production and Distance Learning Manager

Resources: Ferndale Public Schools

Every parent wants their children to be successful when it comes to having a lucrative career. Career and Technical Education is proving to be the right fit for many students and their families. Listen to this episode to learn more about what CTE careers have to offer.

Host: Mark Edwards, Oakland Schools' Communication Specialist

Guests:

Producer: Mark Hansen, Oakland Schools' Media Production and Distance Learning Manager

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At a time when 1 in 3 working families is struggling to find affordable childcare, Great Start Collaborative Oakland County is helping eligible families access free, high-quality preschool programs. This is a lifeline for many families as Michigan Early Childhood programs are considered among the best in the nation.  In this episode, Sheri Stuart and Veronica Pechumer discuss the free preschool resources available to eligible families in Oakland County.  

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Great Start Collaborative Oakland County

Host: Sheri Stuart, Oakland Schools' Director of Communication Services

Guest: Veronica Pechumer, Director, Great Start Collaborative Oakland

Producer: Mark Hansen, Oakland Schools' Media Production and Distance Learning Manager 

Are you a student who has always dreamed of managing your own restaurant or building a house a family could call their home? Do you desire to one day own your own salon or be a lead computer programmer at a software company? Oakland Schools has a longstanding tradition of creating opportunities for all students in Oakland County and that includes those who may have an interest in garnering hands-on experiences before leaving the classroom. This episode takes a look at what our Oakland Schools Technical Campuses (OSTC) have to offer local students. 

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Due to the pandemic, and how it affected learning these past several months, there are many students who are going to need additional support and resources this school year. In particular, those conversations seem to center around English Learners.

A recent article published in Education Week pointed out that just because English Learners may need more support this fall, doesn’t mean that they are behind other students.

This podcast examines the assumptions the general population often has when it comes to our English Learners and how to dispel those assumptions.

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Host: Oakland Schools' Communications Specialist Sarah Davis

Nationwide and locally, careers in STEM, - which stands for science, technology, engineering and math - are making headlines as growing and lucrative fields for the future.

Oakland Schools has been working hard over the past several months to really begin focusing on supporting the STEM efforts of local school districts.

In this episode, we talk to the team who has created these programs to find out what exciting learning opportunities are on the horizon, as well as talk to a local elementary school principal and a student who are eager to participate in these opportunities.

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Host: Oakland Schools' Communications Specialist Sarah Davis

For our first episode of Season 3, we will be talking about what parents and students can expect for the 2021-2022 school year. Admittedly, this is a moving target because the pandemic is ongoing and things could quickly change, but, as of right now, it is looking like school districts are going to resume in-person learning.

So what will that look like? With guidance from local education experts, we will be discuss some of the key areas that parents and students may be examining upon returning to school this year.

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Host: Oakland Schools' Communications Specialist Sarah Davis