Informal Observations with Skyrocket Education

By Meredith Howell-Turner

What's Informal Observations with Skyrocket Education about?

What is INFORMAL OBSERVATIONS? A no-holds-barred, raw and unfiltered deep dive into all things K-12 education, co-hosted by Michael Sonbert (Founder) and Antonio Vance (Chief Schools Officer) from Skyrocket Education.

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Informal Observations with Skyrocket Education episodes:

05.27.2022
Season 2 Episode 14: Cage-Busting Insights from Rick Hess
In this season 2 finale, Antonio and Michael skip the formalities and dive right into wokeness, the radical right and left, state testing, trans' rights, and race with resident fellow and director of education policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute, author of Cage-Busting Leadership,...
04.29.2022
Season 2 Episode 13: Early Literacy
In this episode, Antonio and Michael share their biggest pet peeves, they talk about social belonging, and they receive a master class in early literacy from Joan Kelley and Frank Grossman.
03.11.2022
Season 2 Episode 12: The Achievement Plateau
In this episode, Antonio mixes up a nasty cocktail, the guys chat about snake-twerking, and they talk about The Achievement Plateau with principal, Rob Berretta.
03.04.2022
Season 2 Episode 11: An Education with Edward Richerson
In this episode, Antonio makes a discovery about music, the guys debate the viability of getting rid of their cell phones, and they get an education on African proverbs, baseball, cheesecake, and most importantly, school, from their guest, Edward Richerson.
02.25.2022
Season 2 Episode 10: The Importance of Systems
In this episode, Antonio refuses to reveal what football team he roots for, Michael has strong thoughts about Eminem's beard, and our guest, Dr. Courtney Lemon-Tate, shares her thoughts on the importance of systems in schools.
02.11.2022
Season 2 Episode 9: Teacher Evaluations
In this episode, the guys debate Mariah Carey vs. J-Lo, cookies vs. radishes, and they discuss the polarizing topic of teacher evaluations.
02.04.2022
Season 2 Episode 8: Why Is Professional Development the Worst?
In this episode, the guys talk about Oprah, Metallica, dog poop, and they discuss the one thing everyone in K-12 Ed can agree on: PD sucks.
01.21.2022
Season 2 Episode 7: To Virtual or Not to Virtual? That is the Question.
In this episode, Mike and Tony shorten their names, offend spinach and social studies, and discuss the current state of pandemic schooling and what they believe comes next.
11.24.2021
Season 2 Episode 6: Rebel Culture Part 1
In this episode, the team discusses their Thanksgiving favorites (and least favorites), the Chinese character for learning, and they scratch the surface around their favorite topic: Rebel Culture.
11.19.2021
Season 2 Episode 5: Special Education Deep-Dive Part 1
In this episode, the team talks pancakes, Tesla Cars, and our guest, Lauren Miller, shares on all things Special Education.
11.05.2021
Season 2 Episode 3: Ch-ch-ch-changes!
In this episode, Antonio and Michael discuss cold showers, toxic positivity, and the existence (or not) of aliens. They also talk about why change is so hard and offer practical strategies for fostering it.
11.05.2021
Season 2 Episode 4: Education as a Political Act
In this episode, Michael promotes a radical theory about pop music, the guys discuss the most important life-skill a person can have, and our guest, Kirby, talks about instruction, culture, and relationships in schools.
10.01.2021
Season 2 Episode 2: Eliminate Girl Hate
On this episode, Antonio and Michael discuss the perils of social media, drink wine straight from the bottle (well, one of them does), and they speak with entrepreneur and advocate Dawne Hanks - founder of Eliminate Girl Hate.
09.17.2021
Season 2 Episode 1: Back to School
In this episode, Michael breaks the 4th wall, Antonio recites the Greek Alphabet (well, he tries to), and the team talks trends, pitfalls, and predictions for the new school year.
06.18.2021
Episode 13: The "Science" of Success
On this episode, Antonio challenges Michael to a tennis match, the team debates spending $100 on a golden cheesesteak, and they talk about whether or not there's a science to being good at everything (and Michael does talk about everything - except education).
05.07.2021
Episode 12: Organizational Health
On this episode, Antonio challenges Michael to a race, the team creates a super-secret password, and they discuss an often overlooked but immensely important topic for schools and school leaders: organizational health.
04.23.2021
Episode 11: All In For Kids
On this week's episode, Michael gives Antonio a nickname, the team pays tribute to DMX, and veteran school leader, Sharifa Edwards, tells it like it is on all things K-12 education.
04.09.2021
Episode 10: The Equity Hypocrisy
On their most controversial episode yet, Antonio and Michael talk about spicy food, staff appreciation, and they get really real about something they call The Equity Hypocrisy.
03.19.2021
Episode 9: Wisdom From The Other Side of the Pond
In Episode 9, Antonio and Michael talk innovation in schools, education trends across the globe, and Royal Family Drama with life-long educator and International Man of Mystery, John Baumber.
03.05.2021
Episode 8: Teacher Coaching and Shots of Jägermeister
In this episode, Antonio and Michael talk classic movies, they make a plan to drink Jägermeister, and they get fired up about one of their favorite topics: teacher coaching.
02.26.2021
Episode 7: Bacon, Egg, and Cheese(steaks) - Building Authentic Relationships
In Episode 7, Antonio and Michael talk tequila, bodega cats, NY "cuisine", and relationships in schools, with school leader Angel Pina.
02.19.2021
Episode 6: Goals, Goals, Goals
In this episode, Antonio and Michael disagree about bees, talk about KC barbecue, make their Super Bowl predictions (let's see who was right), and go all-in on a conversation about setting and getting goals in schools.
02.04.2021
Episode 5: Beyonce, Buzz Words and Bold Leadership
In Episode 5, Michael and Antonio debate the best pizza toppings and give a shout out to our newest listeners in France and Japan!! They are joined by guest Rashaun Reid, an expert on all things K-12 education in...
01.29.2021
Episode 4: Execution is Everything
In Episode 4, co-hosts Antonio and Michael talk execution. Can you follow through on what you said you’d do? Do your plans come to life? Are they clear? Accessible? When you say, “We’re doing X, does X happen?” Or does it...
01.14.2021
Episode 3: LiberatED talks Race, Class, and Privilege...with a side of Milwaukee's finest cuisine
In Episode 3, co-hosts Michael and Antonio welcome our friends Clintel Hasan and Alex Kautza, from LiberatED. Clintel and Alex founded LiberatED in 2015 and partner with K-12 schools, universities and non-profits to facilitate transformative learning for leaders and...
01.06.2021
Episode 2: What Makes the Thing the Thing?
Listen as Michael and Antonio talk gin, The Bachelorette, Jerry Seinfeld, and an incredibly important idea that all educators could benefit from thinking about and taking action on.
12.09.2020
Episode 1: Black Girls Love Math
In our first episode, co-hosts Michael Sonbert and Antonio Vance interview guest Atiyah Harmon, the founder of Black Girls Love Math. Atiyah shares about the mission of her organization, and gives her recommendation for the best Philly cheesesteaks. ...
12.01.2020
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What's Informal Observations with Skyrocket Education about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Informal Observations with Skyrocket Education episodes:

Season 2 Episode 14: Cage-Busting Insights from Rick Hess

Season 2 Episode 13: Early Literacy

Season 2 Episode 12: The Achievement Plateau

Season 2 Episode 11: An Education with Edward Richerson

Season 2 Episode 10: The Importance of Systems

Season 2 Episode 9: Teacher Evaluations

Season 2 Episode 8: Why Is Professional Development the Worst?

Season 2 Episode 7: To Virtual or Not to Virtual? That is the Question.

Season 2 Episode 6: Rebel Culture Part 1

Season 2 Episode 5: Special Education Deep-Dive Part 1

Season 2 Episode 3: Ch-ch-ch-changes!

Season 2 Episode 4: Education as a Political Act

Season 2 Episode 2: Eliminate Girl Hate

Season 2 Episode 1: Back to School

Episode 13: The "Science" of Success

Episode 12: Organizational Health

Episode 11: All In For Kids

Episode 10: The Equity Hypocrisy

Episode 9: Wisdom From The Other Side of the Pond

Episode 8: Teacher Coaching and Shots of Jägermeister

Episode 7: Bacon, Egg, and Cheese(steaks) - Building Authentic Relationships

Episode 6: Goals, Goals, Goals

Episode 5: Beyonce, Buzz Words and Bold Leadership

Episode 4: Execution is Everything

Episode 3: LiberatED talks Race, Class, and Privilege...with a side of Milwaukee's finest cuisine

Episode 2: What Makes the Thing the Thing?

Episode 1: Black Girls Love Math

Practice

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