Growing Together

Laurie LaComb and Aaron Ragon talk with Marsha Alston, the Youth Services Program Manager at Douglas County Youth Initiative, about the different programs and services that are within Douglas County aimed to help and support our students. 

QUESTIONS:

Tell us about the Douglas County Youth Initiative.

What are other programs you offer to Douglas County?

If there was one thing you wish all parents could take away from our conversation, what would it be?

RESOURCES:

https://www.search-institute.org/our-research/development-assets/developmental-assets-framework/

https://www.douglas.co.us/community/partners-and-providers/youth-initiative/

https://www.douglas.co.us/community/partners-and-providers/youth-initiative/wraparound-referral-form/

Erica Mason talks with Emma Watson, a Science Teacher at Cimarron middle school about science day, standards, how kids are engaging in the classroom. 

Questions:

What are you most excited about being a science teacher and working with students in your classroom?

What brought you to become a middle school science teacher?

What does a student experience in your classroom? Any examples?

What is different about the next generation science standards?

You talked about proposing a phenomenon to your students, what are some benefits and/or challenges you have faced?

What do you hope to hear from your future students when they look back on their middle school science days?

Laurie LaComb and Aaron Ragon talk with Amy Topelson about mental health, suicide prevention and how to help at risk students.

QUESTIONS:

What are signs or indications that a child may need help?

If you see signs that your student is struggling, what should parents do?

What should a parent do if your child tells you they are struggling with suicidal thoughts?

What is the Second Wind Fund?

How can parents receive support from the Second Wind Fund?

RESOURCES:

Referral Line for Second Wind Fund (303)988-2645

Erica Mason talks with Laurie LaComb, Aaron Ragon and Heather Berry about teaching difficult issues like climate change to students. 

QUESTIONS:

How do we talk about and teach difficult topics?

What is a good explanation we can use to explain climate change to students?

What are positive steps we can take to help our students take control and deal with anxiety caused by climate change?

What advice do you have for teachers, when it comes to teaching difficult topics and dealing with student anxiety?

What are some resources families and teachers can use when dealing with hard topics?

RESOURCES:

http://www.douglasccd.com/

https://www.facebook.com/DouglasCountyEarthDayEnergyFair/

Tips for talking about climate change:

https://www.npr.org/2019/10/22/772266241/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-climate-change

Laurie LaComb and Aaron Ragon discuss technology use among students. 

QUESTIONS:

Why should we be talking about technology use?

From a wellness point of view, what are your thoughts and tips for technology use?

RECOURSES:

https://www.screenagersmovie.com/

https://www.raisingdigitalnatives.com/screenwise/

For Teens:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-social-media-workbook-for-teens-goali-saedi-bocci-phd/1129213552

Erica Mason talks with Dr. Tiffany Regan about dyslexia and the work Douglas County schools are doing to support students and teachers.

Questions:

Why should we be talking about dyslexia?

What does it mean when people have characteristics of dyslexia?

Tell us about your experience supporting students with dyslexia and teachers who are dealing with dyslexia in their classrooms.

RESOURCES:

https://sites.google.com/dcsdk12.org/dyslexia/home

Aaron Ragon talks with Laurie LaComb about mindfulness, what it is and how it is being used in Douglas County schools. 

QUESTIONS:

Can you tell me what mindfulness is?

Why have we been introducing this to schools?

Any antidote to share?

What would like our listeners to take away from this?--

In this episode, you'll hear from two collaborating teachers on how the support English Language Learners through a co-teaching model. Additionally, Dir. of ELD, Remy Rummel shares her philosophy of co-teaching for DCSD students.

QUESTIONS:

What is your vision of ELD programming at CRMS?

Talk about the ELD programming in DCSD as it relates to co-teaching. What does it look like in your setting?

How did you get started with collaboration and co-teaching? How has your journey evolved?

What lessons have you learned while implementing co-teaching? What advice would you give educators who are in the early stages of collaboration and co-teaching?

As we rollout and implement our Strategic Plan, what are you most excited about?

What is the biggest challenge that educators today face? And how do we (leaders, community, etc.) support them? How do you think that the development and implementation of our strategic plan, along with collaborative practices, will help?

What is most rewarding experience you’ve had in working with students in this school or as part of the co-teaching experience?

What is the most important lesson that your learned either as a teacher or leader in all your years in education?

In this episode, Laurie LaComb and Aaron Ragon continue their discussion about preparing your students for college.

QUESTIONS:

Can you describe the application process?

Are there essays college's dont want to read?

What is the process for students to get letters of recommendation?

As parents, is there anything we should avoid?

This podcast will provide some insight from current leaders and implementing educators in DCSD related to MTSS.

QUSTIONS:

What does MTSS look like in your building?

What are the next steps for you this coming year?

When we talk about MTSS in you building, how do you know the systems you have put in place are working? What sort of tools, management or monitoring systems are you using to measure success, or to find where you should make adjustments?

What are some challenges you've faced through implementing MTSS so others can learn from your mistakes or the lessons you've learned?

How do RTI and MTSS work together?

We have many schools implementing MTSS for the first time, what advice can you give to put them on a path to success?