EdUp Edge K-12

Welcome back to America‘s premier K12 education podcast! In this fantastic episode of The EdUp Edge we talk with Komal Shah, educational consultant and writer.  In this episode, we discuss the need to bring a greater awareness and consciousnesses to the educational system. How Komal realized, early on, as a new educator that the system was killing the creativity and inspiration out of children. She learned to bring performance, creativity and technicality to the design of educational experiences for her students that is built with the belief that she could evolve the educational system. 

Everything that Komal does is from a heart and mindset of bringing a new vision of education to bring a greater awareness and consciousness to each student, every day. She discusses how teachers can bring a greater sense of humanity to the learning experience, not as an add-on but as the center of the student's learning experience. She discusses how policy makers are missing the most important priorities and can learn from those who are creating space for true learning with a focus on consciousness to occur. She welcomes others to help change the narrative around public education to take the next steps and join the collation to be a part of the change movement in education.

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Connect with the host - Dr. Stacey Gonzales

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Welcome back to America‘s premier education podcast! In this amazing episode of The EdUp Edge we hear from Dr. Evisha Ford, Founder of the iCan Dream Center, a private school for exceptional students. Dr. Ford and Dr. Gonzales go one-on-one - in-person - discussing how to build to build a psychologically safe working environment, ways to build an honorable culture that thrives, how to boldly lead as a woman of color, and how to build a culture of social justice.

Dr. Evisha Ford designed the iCan Dream Center to address the recreational, emotional, and post-secondary needs of youth with disabilities along with their families.  She supported the development of other professionals in her role as an Assistant Professor and Special Education Leadership Program Coordinator at Concordia University Chicago, in the Graduate College. In 2015, she accepted the role of Assistant Superintendent in the Posen-Robbins School District where she served successfully through 2019.

Additionally, Dr. Ford serves on the Board of Directors for The New Roseland Community Hospital, HeartLife Ministries and The Cradle Foundation- Sayer Center. She was also appointed as President of the Board for the United Way Blue Island/Robbins Neighborhood Network. In March 2018, Dr. Ford was awarded Woman of the Year by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. In July 2018, she was honored as one of the influential “100 Black Women in Chicago” for her educational contributions. Dr. Ford was recognized by the Professional Women’s Network as a “Community Ignitor” In July 2019. In Winter 2019, she received the Paige Award for her impact within the special needs community.  In her spare time Dr. Ford enjoys traveling with her two sons, scuba diving & participating in book clubs

Thanks so much for tuning in. Join us again next time for another episode!  

Connect with the host - Dr. Stacey Gonzales

Check out our other episodes at The Ed Up Edge!

Join the EdUp community at The EdUp Experience!

Welcome back to America‘s premier K12 education podcast! In this fantastic episode of The EdUp Edge we talk with Ben Suro, principal at Dwight Morrow High School in New Jersey.  This week, Dr. Stacey Gonzales and her guest co-host Jerry Sanchez, discuss how to support students and professionals in his care. At Dwight Morrow, they have successfully implemented mindfulness strategies to support students mental health and wellbeing through the LG Experience Happiness program. This is a wide-ranging discussion on how to make sure we keep students at the center of the work we do on a daily basis.

Principal Ben Suro has an extensive background in public education, with experience in both urban school settings and highly selective magnet school academies. He most recently served as Vice Principal of the S.T.E.M. Academy at John F. Kennedy High School in Paterson in addition to previously working as the District Supervisor of Science for the City of Orange School District, teaching Biology at the prestigious Bergen County Technical Schools and many other relevant positions.Thanks so much for tuning in. Join us again next time for another episode!  Contact Us!

Connect with the host - Dr. Stacey Gonzales

Connect with co-host - Jerry Sanchez 

Check out our other episodes at The Ed Up Edge!

Join the EdUp community at The EdUp Experience!

Welcome back to America‘s premier K12 education podcast! In this fantastic episode of The EdUp Edge we talk with Tara O'Brien, Partner at BTS Spark, a coaching organization dedicated to supporting educators.  This week, Dr. Stacey Gonzales discusses the emotional needs of the adult educators, the ways which they can be supported, and how to develop a more socially connected and emotionally supported learning community in our schools. This is a wide-ranging discussion on the implications of emotional supports for our adult educators.

Tara has helped over 13,000 school leaders across the globe which has the potential to make impact on over 7 million children. She works with entire school districts to support professional wellbeing and a sense of togetherness. She helps new and aspiring leaders develop their mindsets and sills for career advancement and longevity from pre-K through university.

Thanks so much for tuning in. Join us again next time for another episode!  Contact Us!

Connect with the host - Dr. Stacey Gonzales

Check out our other episodes at The Ed Up Edge!

Join the EdUp community at The EdUp Experience!

Welcome back to America‘s premier K12 education podcast! In this fantastic episode of The EdUp Edge we talk with Dan Carroll, Founder of Clever,  an educational technology company that simplifies digital learning.  This week, Dr. Stacey Gonzales and her guest co-host, Mike Yates discuss the complexities teachers face using digital tools, designing the organization and platform for equity, and the future of Clever. This is a wide-ranging discussion on the current and future state of technology in education.

Clever was born of co-founder Dan Carroll’s frustration as a school tech director in Denver. His plans to use technology to save teachers time and personalize learning were hindered by countless CSV files and forgotten passwords – he knew software could create new ways to learn, but only if everyone can log in quickly and securely. With a team of former teachers, district administrators and edtech developers, Dan drove Clever to build a single sign-on portal that now helps 65% of U.S. K-12 schools spend more time learning and less time logging in.

Thanks so much for tuning in. Join us again next time for another episode!  Contact Us!

Connect with the host - Dr. Stacey Gonzales

Check out our other episodes at The Ed Up Edge!

Join the EdUp community at The EdUp Experience!

Welcome back to America‘s premier K12 education podcast! In this fantastic episode of The EdUp Edge we talk with Dr. Lorea Martinez, Founder of HEART in Mind Consulting and faculty at Columbia University Teachers College.  Dr. Gonzales and Dr. Martinez go one-on-one discussing supporting adult SEL in education, supporting students SEL, how to practice good mental/emotional health, and how to build good SEL skills.  This is a wide-ranging discussion on the current and future state of SEL in education and you'll hear about the amazing work Dr. Martinez is doing to help educators across the world.

Dr. Lorea Martinez is the award-winning Founder of HEART in Mind Consulting, a company dedicated to helping schools and organizations integrate social emotional learning in their practices, products, and learning communities. Dr. Martínez is a faculty member at Columbia University Teachers College, educating aspiring principals in Emotional Intelligence. Previously, she was a special education teacher and administrator.

Thanks so much for tuning in. Join us again next time for another episode!  Contact Us!

Connect with the host - Dr. Stacey Gonzales

Check out our other episodes at The Ed Up Edge!

Join the EdUp community at The EdUp Experience!