Sue White is a senior educational specialist at Widgit. A qualified primary teacher, Sue’s passion for building children’s vocabulary came after teaching a child with specific learning difficulties. Sue could see that the child’s behaviour in class was borne from a frustration of not being able to fully participate in lessons. Determined to help, Sue started a long journey of learning how to help children who process learning differently. She first became a SENCo and later specialised in a range of developmental disorders where lack of vocabulary development impacted on attainment. Sue discovered that symbols – visual representations of words – can help all children comprehend spoken and written text, communicate better, as well as build confidence, independence and vocabulary. She has been with Widgit since 2018 where she has advised hundreds of schools on how to use symbols to improve learning and support delayed language development. Website www.widgit.com 
 Social Media Information Twitter: @Widgit_Software Facebook: @widgitsoftware26 Instragram: widgitsoftware 
 Resource Mentioned Jonathan Livingston Seagull  
 Show Sponsor The National Association for Primary Education speaks for young children and all who live and work with them. Get a FREE e-copy of their professional journal at nape.org.uk/journal Listen to Mark’s audio course  10 Pieces of Advice You’d Like to Have as a Child Mentioned in this episode: NAPE Al Kingsley Summit Promo Watch Mark Taylor interview Al Kingsley about 'Creating Digital Strategies for Schools' as part of the Primary Education Summit 2023 - Visions for the Future - presented by National Association for Primary Education (NAPE)
https://www.educationonfire.com/creating-digital-strategies-for-schools/

264: How to use symbols to improve learning with Sue White from Widgit

Do you feel the education system is sucking the life out of you and the pupils you serve? I think many of us wish we could click our fingers and make it fit for purpose. A place of growth with shared learning that empowers pupils to be their best selves, so they can create a world they want to inhabit now and in the future.

While a magic wand or a visionary politician might sound like the answer I believe change is already happening. Educators are changing futures one conversation at a time. New technology and the environments where we learn are beginning to look different both in and out of the classroom. I hope you are seeing this first hand and are excited about what you can share with your pupils. We are having conversations, sharing organisations and communities that are supporting education in a way that you may have not experienced.

Educational change will come from us all working in way that supports the best interests of each of our pupils, personalised learning. Governments and policy makers will follow when they see fully how it can be different. So let us teach, coach, mentor and create an environment that fuels every child with feedback, inspiration, resilience and empowerment. The Education on Fire community is shining the torch, so no matter where you are in the world or how you are supporting children this podcast is here for you. 

‘Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.’

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Dr. Bill Coplin is an award-winning professor and founder of the undergraduate Policy Studies major at the top ranked Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University. As a social innovator, Coplin is committed to transforming high school and college education into a well-rounded experience that promotes professional skill development for real-world application. Throughout his tenure, Coplin has dedicated his 65-year career to education reform across academia and for the public through teaching, advising and consulting. He is the J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professor for Teaching Excellence at the Maxwell School and College of Arts and Sciences at Syracuse University. He advises nearly a million undergraduates and alumni and brings his experience as a consultant for local government agencies to his mentees. In addition, Coplin has received grants from the Sloan Foundation, the Kellogg Foundation, and the National Science Foundation in support of his research and educational programs. Coplin started his career as a full-time professor at Wayne State University in 1964, and quickly became Associate Professor three years later to then be tenured the following year in 1968. Prior to becoming a full time-professor at Syracuse University at 36-years-old, Coplin focused on academic research and publications. He has since released 110 books and articles across varying fields from education to geo-political international relations to corporate citizenship such as ‘doing good.’ He has written articles on education in USA Today, the Albany Times Union and for Knight-Ridder publications, as well as educational websites for Newsweek magazine and the Wall Street Journal. Website www.billcoplin.com Social Media Information x.com/thehappyprof www.linkedin.com/in/billcoplin Resources Mentioned Details about Dr. Bill Coplin's book Show Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) www.nape.org.uk Support the show at www.educationonfire.com/support Have you seen our live shows on YouTube? www.EducationOnFire.com/youtube Mentioned in this episode: NAPE Al Kingsley Summit Promo Watch Mark Taylor interview Al Kingsley about 'Creating Digital Strategies for Schools' as part of the Primary Education Summit 2023 - Visions for the Future - presented by National Association for Primary Education (NAPE)
https://www.educationonfire.com/creating-digital-strategies-for-schools/

398: The Path to Equity: Inclusion in the Kingdom of Liberal Arts with Dr. Bill Coplin

A unique coming of age story, Aggressive Optimism explores the complex landscape of mental health, the importance of solidarity, and the power of perseverance. 'Nif is a talented singer trapped in a small hometown. Though she thrives in her choir, she longs for a life in Hollywood. After a breakthrough solo performance, her talents are recognized by a popular media personality and her hopes for her big break soar. Until a devastating accident derails her dreams and confronts her with new and unexpected challenges.   With the help of her family and dear friends, Nif must reassemble the pieces of her life and discover a wellspring of inner strength. In the process, her aggressive optimism becomes a source of inspiration, not only for herself but for those around her.' Bio - Jenna Edwards Growing up in the middle of Minnesota's cornfields, Jenna had some big dreams. She wanted to make people laugh on TV, inspire change, and travel the world. Life wasn't easy, though. Born to teenage parents who split when she was three, Jenna faced poverty and abuse until her mom took a stand, and they escaped. In her early twenties, Jenna set off for Los Angeles, to make her dreams come true. She even landed a role on the legendary "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" show. Imagine inheriting Buffy's powers! But then, a terrible accident shook her world. She struggled with debilitating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) but learned that asking for help is a sign of strength, just like Buffy asking her friends for help. Website www.jennaedwards.com Social Media Information IG @jennaedwardsofficial Resources Mentioned Big Magic - Elizabeth Gilbert Show Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) www.nape.org.uk Support the show at www.educationonfire.com/support Have you seen our live shows on YouTube? www.EducationOnFire.com/youtube 


397: Aggressive Optimism with Jenna Edwards

In Freedom Teaching, educator and distinguished anti-racism practitioner Matthew Kincaid delivers a one-stop resource for educators and educational leaders seeking to improve equity and increase the cultural responsiveness of their school. In this book, you'll discover the meaning and fundamentals of anti-racist education and find a roadmap to reducing the impact of systemic racism in your classroom. A recognized leader in anti-racism advocacy, Matthew Kincaid's impactful work has earned him accolades, including a 2018 Louisiana SBA Young Entrepreneur of the Year Entrepreneur of the Year, been named a Gambit 40 Under 40, and been honored as a visionary leader by Real Leaders Magazine.  His work has been featured in the Washington Post, Forbes, Mashable, Medium, Huffington Post, Now This, and Black Enterprise, among others. Kincaid is an essential voice in revolutionizing American education, and his vision for a more inclusive education system is a beacon of hope, inspiring educators, and advocates nationwide. Website www.overcomeracism.com www.overcomeracism.com/freedomteaching 
 Show Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) www.nape.org.uk Support the show at www.educationonfire.com/support Have you seen our live shows on YouTube? www.EducationOnFire.com/youtube 
 
 Mentioned in this episode: NAPE Al Kingsley Summit Promo Watch Mark Taylor interview Al Kingsley about 'Creating Digital Strategies for Schools' as part of the Primary Education Summit 2023 - Visions for the Future - presented by National Association for Primary Education (NAPE)
https://www.educationonfire.com/creating-digital-strategies-for-schools/

396: Freedom Teaching: Overcoming Racism in Education with Matthew Kincaid

Failure Free Reading is an effective reading intervention for our students who have been resistant to phonics-based reading instruction. Dr. Joe Lockavitch, a former classroom teacher, school psychologist, university professor, special education director, applied reading researcher, is the author and developer of: The Failure Free Reading Program, Don’t Close the Book on Your Not-Yet Readers, Joseph’s Readers Talking Software for Non-Readers, Verbal Master-An Accelerated Vocabulary Program, Life Skills – A School to Career Language Literacy Intervention and The Test of Lateral Awareness and Directionality. A noted speaker who is listed in Outstanding Teachers in Exceptional Education, Who’s Who in American Education and Who’s Who in the South and Southwest, Dr. Joe has spent the past thirty years training tens of thousands of teachers, parents, and administrators across the nation on how to meet the unique needs of students with chronic reading failure – nonreaders included. Dr. Joe has been featured on the PBS NewsHour and mentioned on national radio shows such as: Tom Joyner, Dr. Laura, Mike Gallegher and Michael Medvid. Dr. Lockavitch holds a Doctor of Education from Boston University and a Master of Science in Special Education from Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, Connecticut. He is currently the President of Failure Free Reading - an educational publishing and software development firm housed in Concord North Carolina. Failure Free Reading which has over two million hours of direct student instruction – both inperson and through distance learning – has been used by thousands of teachers to serve tens of thousands of students in schools across the nation. His current client list includes New York City, Washington DC, Broward County, Florida, Niagara Falls, NY, Laredo, Tx, Bristol, TN and many more. For over 30 years, Dr. Joe has been helping school districts and parents across the nation turn their nonreaders into readers - quickly, easily and within budget. Dr. Joe specializes in training teachers, parents, and volunteers in accelerating the vocabulary, comprehension, expressive fluency, and confidence of chronically failing students of all ages. Dr. Joe’s philosophy is quite simple: we are underestimating the reading potential of chronically failing students. The enemy is not the student, parent, teacher, or administrator. The real enemy is the instructional approach and accompanying materials. Change that approach and you will change the performance outcomes. Website www.failurefreereadingonline.com 
 Social Media Information @FFRHome 
 Show Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) www.nape.org.uk Support the show at www.educationonfire.com/support Have you seen our live shows on YouTube? www.EducationOnFire.com/youtube Mentioned in this episode: London School of Public Relations - Podcasting Course with Mark Taylor The 1-day Essentials of Podcasting Certificated short course is highly practical and packed full of useful information to get you on the road to producing your own professional podcasts. The Podcasting course will help you to create, edit, deliver and promote your podcast. The course also provides useful tips and tricks from industry experts on producing professional and effective results. <a...

395: Failure Free Reading with Dr. Joe Lockavitch

Curt is the Director of the educational consulting practice at Resultant, a modern consulting firm focused on data analytics, tech, and digital transformation. With a background as a youth worker, educator, and key contributor to several education organizations, Curt leads his team in delivering solutions for K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions. 'Education holds tremendous influence and touches nearly every life, throughout childhood and well into adulthood. The dizzying complexity that challenges schools, teachers, and systems deserves a partner that has not just data and technology expertise but experience within schools—the former teachers, researchers, and administrators who’ve always had a passion for education.' Website www.resultant.com 
 Social Media Information www.linkedin.com/in/curtmerlau/ 
 Resources Mentioned Chop Wood Carry Water - Joshua Medcalf 
 Show Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) www.nape.org.uk Support the show at www.educationonfire.com/support Have you seen our live shows on YouTube? www.EducationOnFire.com/youtube    Mentioned in this episode: NAPE Al Kingsley Summit Promo Watch Mark Taylor interview Al Kingsley about 'Creating Digital Strategies for Schools' as part of the Primary Education Summit 2023 - Visions for the Future - presented by National Association for Primary Education (NAPE)
https://www.educationonfire.com/creating-digital-strategies-for-schools/

264: How to use symbols to improve learning with Sue White from Widgit

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