With a student population that is more diverse than ever, educators often face the exciting yet challenging task of creating learning environments that not only accommodate but celebrate the rich differences in backgrounds, experiences and identities of their students.

In this episode of the Educator's Playbook, host Kimberly McGlonn discusses the intricacies and importance of inclusivity and diversity in K-12 classrooms with two Penn GSE experts. She's joined first by Maria Cioè-Peña, a respected education researcher focusing on bilingual and disabled students. Maria's insights, enriched by her extensive research and experience, shed light on adaptive strategies teachers can use to transform their classrooms into supportive spaces where every student's story is acknowledged and valued. Then, licensed clinical psychologist Kyle Schultz shares effective and empathetic tactics that are easy to implement. For example, he explains how teachers can subtly create nurturing, safe spaces by incorporating different signifiers of queer experience around the classroom. Whether it's a pride flag, equality sticker, books, or magazines, the items reinforce that the class is a welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ students and allies.

For more tips on related topics, check out the links to our Playbook story archives below.

GUESTS:

• Maria Cioè-Peña, Assistant Professor, University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education
• Kyle Schultz, Lecturer in Educational Practice and Director, Counseling and Mental Health Services Program, University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education

NEWSLETTER:

• Subscribe to the Educator's Playbook newsletter for ongoing resources and content

RELATED PLAYBOOKS:

• No. 73: Tips to make your classroom more welcoming for all learners
• No. 64: How to be a good parent and a good ally
• No. 63: How to get even better at supporting your LGBTQ+ students
• No. 40: Bringing Restorative Justice into Your Classroom
• No. 39: Putting Black history lessons into action
• No. 27: Respecting pronouns in the classroom
• No. 24: Bringing Gender Consciousness into the Classroom
• No. 21: Creating meaningful classroom discussions
• No. 17: How to confront hate speech at school
• No. 7: Responding to anti-Muslim rhetoric
• No. 5: Treating racial competence as a skill to be learned

ADDITIONAL ARTICLES & RESOURCES:

• María Cioè-Peña receives prestigious 2023 NAEd/Spencer postdoctoral fellowship (05-25-23)
• Penn GSE’s María Cioè-Peña works toward fair and enriching education for all students (01-09-23)

Arming students with critical thinking skills is essential in this digital era when screen time dominates and the dissemination of information (and misinformation) is constant. But how, exactly, do we do that?

In this episode of the Educator’s Playbook podcast, host Kimberly McGlonn taps into two experts to help empower K-12 students and educators to discern, analyze, and evaluate content and information in a never-ending news cycle.

She speaks first with Megan Fromm of the National Association for Media Literacy Education, an organization at the forefront of raising awareness about the importance of media literacy. Together, they unravel some of the complexities around teaching students to view the digital landscape through a critical lens until dissecting and discerning the content they encounter becomes reflexive. Then Kimberly is joined by #PennGSE associate professor Abby Reisman, who provides additional insight and effective strategies for instilling these essential skills in students. Abby focuses on document-based historical inquiry, a way of studying history where you look at original documents, like letters, diaries or newspaper articles from the past, to better understand and explore historical events and the people involved in them.

This episode is a deep dive into the intersection of education, critical thinking and the digital world, offering educators tangible strategies and insights to empower the next generation of critical thinkers.

GUESTS:

• Megan Fromm, Education Manager, National Association for Media Literacy Education
• Abby Reisman, Associate Professor, University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education

NEWSLETTER:

• Subscribe to the Educator's Playbook newsletter for ongoing resources and content

RELATED PLAYBOOKS:

• No. 49: How to make the most of teaching history online
• No. 13: Teaching students to think like historians

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

• National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE)
• News Literacy Project
• Project Look Sharp
• Media Education Lab at the University of Rhode Island
• Stanford History Education Group
• History-Social Science Project at UC Berkeley
• UCLA History-Geography Project, part of the California History Social Science Project

Educators are all too familiar with the National Assessment of Educational Progress, or NAEP. It's known as the nation's report card– and as a country, our grades are dropping.

According to NAEP's long-term trend report, students' reading and math scores have declined for the last decade. States have been evaluating and adjusting their policies, curriculum and school schedules in response. On this episode of the Educator's Playbook podcast, host Kimberly McGlonn delves into the complexities and nuances of those changes, and the role teaching standards and innovative policies play in shaping the future. What's working, what isn't – and why?

Our first guest on this deep dive is Patrick Sexton, head of teacher ed programs at Penn GSE. He talks about how crucial an effective rollout of new standards is for long-term success. Even the most well-intentioned standards will fall short without adequate training for educators. Then we're joined by Mississippi's state literacy director, Kristen Wynn, who shares what they've been doing to radically transform the state's approach over the last decade. She provides valuable insight into what it took to help their students gain proficiency against various factors.

GUESTS:

• Patrick Sexton, Executive Director of Teacher Education Programs, University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education
• Kristen Wynn, State Literacy Director (K-12), Mississippi Department of Education

NEWSLETTER:

• Subscribe to the Educator's Playbook newsletter for ongoing resources and content

RELATED PLAYBOOKS:

• No. 62: Bringing theater into the classroom
• No. 41: Engineering can be elementary
• No. 22: Math that students can use in real life, right now

ADDITIONAL ARTICLES & RESOURCES:

• National Assessment of Educational Progress
• 76.3% of Mississippi third graders pass state reading assessment on first attempt (05-18-23)
• National Report Finds Mississippi’s 3rd Grade Promotion Law Leads to Early Literacy Gains (02-07-23)
• Mississippi Literacy-Based Promotion Act
• From Mississippi’s State Literacy Plan: Strong Readers, Strong Leaders Mississippi and Leading in Literacy

A 2022 Gallup poll reported what many of us already suspected: K-12 educators have one of the highest burnout rates of any segment of the U.S. workforce. It's a growing crisis but not an insurmountable one.

To help explore burnout's root causes, repercussions and remedies, we turned to Annie McKee, who wrote the book on being happy at work. A senior fellow at Penn GSE and NYT-bestselling author, Annie has a candid conversation with host Kimberly McGlonn about the emotional intelligence and resilience necessary to navigate the intricate landscape of modern education. Then, former classroom teacher Stacey Carlough joins Kimberly to discuss some of the systemic and individualized strategies employed to alleviate burnout. In her new role, Stacey leads programming centered around teacher mental health and developing top-down solutions, like communities of care. Stacey emphasizes that burnout is not an individual problem – it's up to school leaders to create a nurturing, sustainable educational environment where their teachers, counselors and other employees can thrive.

GUESTS:

• Stacey Carlough, Assistant Director of Teaching and Learning, Office of School & Community Engagement, University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education
• Annie McKee, Adjunct Professor & Senior Fellow, University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education

NEWSLETTER:

• Subscribe to the Educator's Playbook newsletter for ongoing resources and content

RELATED PLAYBOOKS:

• No. 65: Tips to avoid burnout for teachers working this summer
• No. 34: Why you should make a career plan (Even if you aren’t looking for a new job)
• No. 29: Facing a problem? Ask yourself these questions
• No. 26: Discussing Nondiscussables
• No. 23: How to be happy at school
• No. 20: Taking a minute for your mental health
• No. 12: Reimagining leadership in your school
• No. 3: Saving the parent-teacher relationship from stress

ADDITIONAL ARTICLES & RESOURCES:

• “How to be happy at work: The power of purpose, hope and friendship.” by Annie McKee (2017)
• Gallup: K-12 Workers Have Highest Burnout Rate in U.S.

In this timely episode of the Educator's Playbook, we confront the pervasive issue of gun violence and its reverberating effects across K-12 education. With an alarming 44,367 gun violence deaths reported in the US last year, of which 1,686 were children and teens, the weight of this crisis is palpable in classrooms across the nation. As educators and students grapple with the grief and trauma stemming from these tragedies, the question arises: How does the education community navigate such turbulent waters? Joining the conversation is Jasmine Marshall-Butler, who shares insights from her Ph.D. research on the profound effect that losing students to gun violence has on educators. Also sharing her story is documentary filmmaker Shameka Sawyer, founder of the 5 Shorts Project. She shares her perspective on the broader implications for the school environment and community. This episode serves as a poignant reflection on a pressing societal issue, emphasizing the need for support, understanding and proactive measures in our schools. We realize it's an activating topic, so please be careful when listening. We've included some additional resources below.

FEATURING:

• Jasmine Marshall-Butler, Associate Director of the Urban Teaching Apprenticeship Program (UTAP), University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education    
• Shameka Sawyer, Founder & Executive Director, 5 Shorts Project

NEWSLETTER:

• Subscribe to the Educator's Playbook newsletter for ongoing resources and content

RELATED PLAYBOOKS:

• No. 58: How teachers can talk about violence at the Capitol (01-07-21)
• No. 40: Bringing Restorative Justice into Your Classroom (02-06-20)
• No. 31: How parents can help adolescents struggling with anxiety (11-08-19)
• No. 21: Creating meaningful classroom discussions (03-17-17)

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

• The Victim Connect Resource Center: a referral helpline where crime victims can learn about their rights and options confidentially and compassionately. Check out their interactive VictimConnect Resource Map online for additional resources or contact the VictimConnect Resource Center by phone or text at 1-855-4-VICTIM for more information or assistance in locating services that can help after you lose a loved one or are experiencing grief
• National Organization of Parents of Murdered Children
• The National Alliance For Children's Grief: provides information on supporting children through grief, including a national database of in-person grief support programs, camps and community resources

Let's delve into the ever-evolving world of technology in K-12 education. New generative AI tools like ChatGPT seemingly hit our classrooms overnight. And as it becomes ever more present, educators are finding themselves in a dynamic landscape, forced to adapt and adopt on-the-fly. By May of last year, nearly 60 percent of students aged 12-18 had interacted with ChatGPT, according to one study, with many favoring it over traditional search engines for their academic pursuits. Yet, with these advancements come both challenges and opportunities. To explore this technological shift, Kimberly is joined by Penn GSE professor Ryan Baker, an expert in online learning and how data and emerging technologies can enhance the educational experience. Also weighing in on the topic is principal, author and McGraw Prize winner Chris Lehmann, adding depth to the conversation about what it truly means to integrate new tools into schools. Tune in as we explore the merits and pitfalls of ed tech in today's classrooms.

FEATURING:

• Ryan Baker, Professor, University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education
• Chris Lehmann, Founding Principal and CEO, Science Leadership Academies

NEWSLETTER:

• Subscribe to the Educator's Playbook newsletter for ongoing resources and content

RELATED PLAYBOOKS:

• No. 71: Five ways teachers can integrate ChatGPT into their classrooms today (02-02-23)
• No. 68: Virtual learning 2.0: 6 takeaways from two years of online learning (02-22-22)

OTHER RESOURCES:

• What should come next for learning engineering? (07-19-21)
• Learning technologies aren’t making a difference in classrooms. To change that, focus on how they are used. (06-30-21)

Hosted by seasoned educator Kimberly McGlonn, this episode takes a deep dive into the widening ideological and cultural divides impacting K-12 education. As schools find themselves at the epicenter of debates surrounding issues like race, gender and sexual orientation, educators must grapple with the challenges of a rapidly politicized classroom environment. We're joined by leading education historian and Penn GSE professor Jonathan Zimmerman, author of "Whose America?: Culture Wars in the Public Classroom." He provides valuable insights into the shifting ideological landscape since the book's first publication in 2002 and gives us some historical context for censorship, politicization and polarization. Then, professor of practice and former superintendent Andrea Kane sheds further light on the real-life implications of these culture wars for educators, students and communities, sharing some of her experiences on the front lines over the years. Tune in for a candid discussion on navigating these complex issues in today's educational setting.

FEATURING:

• Jonathan Zimmerman, Professor, University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education        
• Andrea Kane, Professor of Practice, University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education

NEWSLETTER:

• Subscribe to the Educator's Playbook newsletter for ongoing resources and content

RELATED PLAYBOOKS:

• No. 69: Explaining war to children: 6 tips from a Penn GSE expert (02-25-22)
• No. 64: How to be a good parent and a good ally (06-10-21)
• No. 63: How to get even better at supporting your LGBTQ+ students (06-08-21)
• No. 58: How teachers can talk about violence at the Capitol (01-07-21)
• No. 39: Putting Black history lessons into action (02-05-20)
• No. 17: How to confront hate speech at school (11-17-16)
• No. 7: Responding to anti-Muslim rhetoric (02-04-16)
• No. 5: Treating racial competence as a skill to be learned (02-03-16)

OTHER RESOURCES:

• New books from Penn GSE professors focus on free speech on campus (02-15-23)
• School censorship is not democratic. Speaking up is the solution from the Philadelphia Inquirer (05-30-23)
• Jonathan Zimmerman: Do we really want discussion in our schools? Book censorship indicates otherwise from the Chicago Tribune (05-15-23)
• Penn GSE alumni event focuses on free speech in education (12-13-22)

Chronic absenteeism and truancy are on the rise, hindering student success. In our debut episode of the Educator’s Playbook podcast, host Kimberly McGlonn speaks with two experts on the issue, exploring the sudden increase in attendance issues as well as ways to get students back into the classroom – and help keep them there. First, she’s joined by education economist and Penn GSE professor Michael Gottfried to learn why students are missing more school, how the pandemic accelerated trends, and insight into some easy, proven ways schools can improve student attendance. Then, Kimberly chats with fellow professor Ericka Weathers about her research on state truancy policies, and how in the face of social inequalities, punitive policies actually prevent schools from addressing the root causes of student absences. Listen in as we explore the underlying reasons for absenteeism and truancy, and the ripple effects both have on academic achievement, teacher morale and classroom dynamics.

FEATURING:

• Michael Gottfried, Professor, University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education
• Ericka Weathers, Assistant Professor, University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education

NEWSLETTER:

• Subscribe to the Educator's Playbook newsletter for ongoing resources and content

RELATED PLAYBOOKS:

• No. 72: Back to School: How to encourage student attendance (09-13-23)
• No. 70: Keeping students present: 4 ways to address absenteeism (04-13-22)

OTHER RESOURCES:

• Educational inequities? Follow the numbers, says Ericka Weathers (04-04-23)
• Perspective: Common sense approaches to address bus driver shortages from EdNC (12-16-22)
• These 6 strategies can help schools tackle chronic absenteeism from K-12 Dive (11-04-22)

Join us this fall for an all-new podcast series made by educators for educators!

Subscribe now and don't miss a single episode as we examine some of the biggest issues facing K-12 today and share practical, easy-to-implement advice geared toward teachers, administrators and counselors.

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The Educator's Playbook podcast is produced in Philadelphia with partner RADIOKISMET.