Field Trip Podcast

Today we delve into the critical issue of teacher shortages – and how mentoring programs can be a game-changer. Lynette Thorstensen, a PD specialist in Brevard Public Schools in Florida, shares how her district is tackling this nationwide challenge head-on.

Get an in-depth look at Brevard’s comprehensive approach to supporting new teachers, including alternative certification pathways and the powerful role of mentorship. From “Survival Orientations for Success” to mock classrooms and ongoing mentor-mentee partnerships, Lynette’s detailed breakdown shows how support and continuous professional development can lead to higher retention and a more robust teaching workforce.

• Expanding the Path to Teaching: Discover how Brevard Public Schools are addressing teacher shortages through alternative certification pathways.

• Mentorship Impact: Understand the critical role mentors play in supporting new teachers and reducing burnout.

• Scaffolded Support: Learn about the step-by-step support systems in place, from Survival Orientation for Success (SOS) to New Teacher Academy.

• Feedback-Driven Improvement: Explore how Brevard uses frequent feedback to continuously refine and improve their mentoring programs.

• Practical Implementation: Get ideas for implementing similar mentoring structures in your own district to foster teacher retention and success.

What is a Registered Apprenticeship Program in education? And how can it help school districts solve the teacher shortage?

Andrea Dickson, Director of Talent Acquisition in Brazosport Independent School District in Texas, shares how their apprenticeship program enables them to open teaching up to more people who want to teach — but who may otherwise have encountered barriers to entering the profession. She describes how they structure the program and offers specific steps for any districts seeking to implement a similar offering.

• Innovative pathways: this alternative route to teacher certification makes it possible for participants to avoid the financial hurdles that come with the cost of a traditional teacher preparation program or taking time off of work.
• Addressing the teacher shortage: The program is helping Brazosport ISD fill vacancies by offering on-ramps for internal and external candidates.
• Supportive framework: Apprentices receive hands-on experience and mentorship from veteran teachers — and emerge from the program well-equipped from day one.
• Community engagement: The program naturally enhances the diversity of the teaching workforce by attracting talent from the community.

This episode of Field Trip looks at highlights from the inaugural edition of “K-12 Lens,” an annual survey report from the Frontline Research & Learning Institute.

Rebecca Strott, Vice President of Market Intelligence for research firm C+C, looks at the highlights from the survey, and explores the pressing challenges and emerging opportunities within K-12. From staffing challenges and strategies for retention to concerns around student mental health and cybersecurity to the integration of AI into education, listen as we consider the current state and future possibilities for K-12.

00:00 - Introduction

00:25 - Exploring the "K-12 Lens" Survey with Rebecca Strott

01:46 - Deep Dive into Hiring and Staffing Challenges

04:39 - The Importance of Professional Development for Retention

06:00 - Addressing Student Mental Health in Schools

10:55 - Navigating Technology and Cybersecurity in Education

13:45 - The Future of Education: AI, Funding, and Data Analytics

18:40 - Interdepartmental Relationships and the Impact on School Operations

21:03 - Conclusion and Resources

K-12 Lens: Access the full report for a more detailed look at the data.

Diving into the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) in K-12 education, with a focus on its implications for educators, administrators, and students! Dr. Ellen Agnello, a former classroom teacher turned consultant and researcher, shares insights from her recent study on AI's integration into schools, addressing teachers' and administrators' perceptions, the potential uses of AI for learning and administrative tasks, and the challenges involved in adopting this technology.

We also highlight:

Key differences in comfort and attitude between teachers and administrators regarding AI

The role of AI in enhancing teaching practices and professional development

The importance of AI literacy and the need to balance technological advancements with the intrinsic value of interpersonal learning experiences

What the future of AI in education may hold

Timeline

00:00 - Introduction to AI in Education: Perspectives and Potential

00:49 - From Classroom to AI Research

03:44 - Surveying Educators on AI: Insights and Surprises

07:45 - AI Detection Tools and Teacher Concerns

09:19 - Navigating the AI Spectrum in Schools

11:15 - Demystifying AI for Educators

13:57 - AI's Practical Applications in the Classroom

22:09 - Expanding AI Use Beyond the Classroom

25:17 - Looking Ahead: The Future of AI in Education

The Role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in K-12 Professional Development: AI has been everywhere in the news, and education is no exception. This blog post dives into AI’s place in education now and in the future.

In this episode of Field Trip, we dive into the crucial role of parent involvement in special education. Dr. Kristen Williams, Executive Director for Disability Services in the San Antonio Independent School District, shares her extensive experience and passionate insights into the dynamics of educational support and parent engagement. With over three decades in special education, Dr. Williams offers practical advice for schools and educators on fostering positive, proactive relationships with families.

We'll uncover:

• The Importance of Parent Involvement: No one knows and loves a child more than their parents. How can schools leverage this for better educational outcomes?

• Strategies for Positive Engagement: Innovative approaches and best practices for engaging parents in their children's education, moving beyond traditional methods to create a supportive and inclusive environment.

• Real-Life Success Stories: How intentional actions and policies have led to significant improvements in parent participation.

Whether you're a parent, educator, or someone interested in the field of education, this is a must-listen for anyone looking to make a difference in the lives of children with special needs.

00:00 - Introduction: The Importance of Parental Involvement in Special Education

00:48 - The Role of Parents in Special Education

01:59 - Strategies for Positive and Proactive Parent Involvement

02:37 - Building Parent Capacity and Encouraging Participation

04:32 - The Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC)

05:14 - Effective Communication with Parents

07:12 - Empowering Parents through Education and Advocacy

09:17 - Conclusion: The Lasting Impact of Parent Involvement

In this 4th and final episode of our series on workforce oversight, Frontline Education’s Mitch Welch and Dr. Sundie Dahlkamp, Executive Director of Business Services at Pearland Independent School District, explore the intricacies of employee data visibility.

Good data matters. Here is why position history is so key to making HR decisions in school districts.

Takeaways:

• The Importance of Position History: Without a solid grasp of position history, the quality of employee data is compromised. Mitch and Sundie consider the challenge in tracking the historical data of positions versus the employees in those positions.

• Data Visibility and Accountability: It’s not just for internal management, but also for external accountability. Community stakeholders may want to see how positions are managed and utilized over time, underscoring the need for transparent and accessible position history data.

• Challenges in Position History: Sundie explores the challenges in tracking the creation, approval, and deactivation of positions. Position history is crucial for leadership transitions, as it preserves institutional knowledge that could be lost with staff turnover.

• The Impact on Decision Making: Good position history data is vital for making informed decisions regarding vacancies and budget allocations. Understanding the history of a position can lead to better decisions about which positions to fill.

00:00 - Introduction

01:17 - The Importance of Employee Data Visibility

02:19 - The Challenge of Position History

04:33 - The Importance of Position History for Decision Making

06:13 - The Role of Position History in Employee Retention

07:52 - Tracking Position History

11:00 - Conclusion

• Template: Position Management and Control Plan

• Blog: Effective Dating & Conditional Workflows in Position Management

• Podcast: K-12’s Balancing Act of Workforce Oversight

• Podcast: Mastering the Art of Managing Positions

• Podcast: Position Management: How to Empower Your Principals

Welcome to the third episode in a short series on workforce oversight in school districts! Once again, we welcome Frontline Education’s Mitch Welch and Dr. Sundie Dahlkamp, Executive Director of Business Services at Pearland Independent School District.

This conversation is all about empowering principals. With the right processes, workflows, and technology, you can enable them to make changes to staff positions seamlessly and efficiently and ensure that any changes are communicated back to the central office. This leads to greater principal involvement and autonomy, fostering a culture of buy-in and collaboration in making personnel decisions.

They explore:

• The innovative transition from paper to digital: Sundie describes the shift from a manual, paper-based process to a sophisticated digital system, leading to a seamless, paperless workflow that empowers campus-level autonomy.

• Autonomy at the campus level: By entrusting campus principals with the authority to manage positions, including hiring and adjustments, districts can foster a sense of ownership and expedite the decision-making process.

• Creating a Culture of Success: Creating a process that prevents errors and allows for informed decision-making can help school districts not only streamline administrative tasks but also build a culture where staff feel supported and empowered. The system's success lies in its ability to promote dialogue and reflection, leading to a positive work environment and a collective focus on the district's goals.

00:00 - Introduction

00:00 - The Importance of Principal Involvement

02:42 - The Journey from Manual to Digital Processes

04:50 - Empowering Principals with Autonomy

06:47 - The Role of Compliance and Control in Position Management

09:56 - The Impact of Effective Position Management

10:49 - Conclusion and Next Steps

• eBook: Position Management Playbook for School Districts: How implementing a position management plan strengthens district-wide efficiency for HR, IT, Finance and Payroll.

• Case Study: From Stacks of Paper to an HR Management System: Why the Iron County School District Human Resources Department chose Frontline HRMS, and how they’re using the system to bring all employee information into one place, save time on contract renewals and forms, and make reporting a breeze.

“Position management” may not win the award for Most Exciting Phrase anytime soon, but it’s a vital concept in education — and has a real impact on employees. In this episode of Field Trip, we delve into the importance and mechanisms of position management (and position vacancies) in school districts. Dr. Sundie Dahlkamp, the Executive Director of Human Resource Services at Pearland Independent School District, and Frontline Education’s Mitch Welch explore the concept of position management and control, focusing on creativity, flexibility, effective communication, and strategic decision-making, all while ensuring accountability on the expenditure.

The conversation highlights the necessity of balancing management and control in human resources and the role of technology in facilitating effective communication and information visibility. Mitch and Sundie also tackle:

• Financial accountability and why position management is crucial for school districts to justify expenditures, especially when such a high percentage of the budget is allocated to employee salaries.

• Strategic forecasting in HR and why the ability to project future needs based on enrollment trends is vital for sustainable school district management.

• The balance between the central office and building administrators. There’s a delicate balance to maintain between position control at the central office level and creative management by individual supervisors and principals.

00:00 - Introduction

01:09 - Defining Position Management and Control

04:53 - The Importance of Effective Dating System

07:31 - Balancing Management and Control

08:55 - Using Technology for Communication

10:00 - Conclusion and Preview of Next Episode

10:23 - Closing

• Blog: Effective Dating & Conditional Workflows in Position Management

• Infographic: Position Management & Control in School Districts

• eBook: Position Management Playbook for School Districts

• Case Study: A Better HR System to Serve Employees: Why Whitehall-Coplay School District uses Frontline to manage recruiting and hiring, onboarding, employee records, benefits, position management, professional learning, employee absences, and time tracking.

This episode of Field Trip is the first in a four-episode series about workforce oversight in K-12, with Mitch Welch from Frontline Education and Dr. Sundie Dahlkamp, Executive Director of Human Resource Services at Pearland Independent School District. Mitch and Sundie delve into workforce oversight and its importance and continued evolution in education.

They also contrast the implications of workforce oversight with workforce insight, highlighting the need for both in achieving efficient data-driven decision making. Stay tuned for a deep dive into how these concepts shape K-12 education, and why striking the balance between hard data and human elements is crucial in school administration.

00:00 Introduction

01:02 Understanding Workforce Oversight

02:22 The Challenges of Workforce Oversight in Education

06:13 The Importance of Workforce Insight

08:33 Balancing Oversight and Insight in Education

10:26 Closing Remarks and Next Episode Preview

Here are some helpful related resources!

• Podcast: Making School Happen: School HR helps make education possible — and it’s a lot easier with connected software systems and processes. Here’s how one district is making it happen.

• An HR Management System to Help You Fight the Teacher Shortage: Attract the right fit now with retention-first recruiting and a system to make it happen.

In this conversation with Dr. Maria Vasquez, the Superintendent of Orange County Public Schools in Orlando, Florida, we discuss the enrollment trends across the country. Dr. Vasquez delves into how these changing demographics affect schools, particularly aspects such as budgets, staffing, and infrastructure.

She presents an informed view of this trend from her district's perspective, highlighting an upward trend in enrollment, the challenges and benefits of this growth, and the strategies OCPS takes to attract families to the public school system. She also details the impact of Florida's expanded voucher program and potential repercussions on public education funding. Finally, the conversation wraps with possible solutions to staffing challenges and their ongoing efforts for improvement.

00:00 - Introduction to Enrollment Challenges

01:18 - Welcome Dr. Maria Vasquez: Superintendent of Orange County Public Schools

01:40 - The Impact of Enrollment Growth on Orange County Public Schools

02:35 - Challenges and Opportunities of Rapid Enrollment Growth

04:32 - Attracting Families to Public Schools

07:00 - The Impact of Voucher Programs on Public Schools

09:56 - Addressing Staffing Challenges and Redistricting in Growing Schools

11:39 - Innovative Recruitment and Retention Strategies for Teachers

13:15 - Closing Remarks and Future Plans

13:34 - Podcast Closing and Acknowledgements