Dr. Chase Huotari, Superintendent of Franklin Township, is a leader in the intentional integration of AI into K-12 education. He focuses on building a responsible framework that empowers teachers and prepares students for a technology-driven future.

In Episode 2, the KINL Innovation Coaches return to break down what the Science of Reading and writing look like in real Indiana classrooms, focusing on practical instructional moves that help students strengthen phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing. Innovation Coaches Jonathan, Nicole, and Sara share examples from their districts, highlight simple ways technology can enhance (not replace) high-quality literacy instruction, and share classroom-ready tools. If you're looking for clear, doable guidance for turning research into everyday reading and writing instruction, this episode provides a thoughtful, down-to-earth conversation rooted in real classroom practice.

Resources

Today’s guest is Liesl McConchie. This is a little bit longer of an episode for two reasons. One, I couldn’t stop asking questions and making connections to my own evolution of teaching math and two, Liesl is simply amazing. She is a teacher, author, mom, international speaker, and who we should all be reading and listening to if we are thinking we need to transform the way we think about the teaching and learning of mathematics. If you need to, listen in sections, because this entire interview is well worth your time. If you are looking for people to learn from regarding brain research and mathematics, Liesl is who you should be learning from. While you may hear from people in the world who believe math is just about right answers and all you need to do is follow directions to find those right answers, Liesl will help you understand why math identity matters. If you find yourself questioning why one quote she says that really stands out is, “A student's emotional relationship with math is foundational to their cognitive relationship with math. You just can’t argue with that, folks.

So sit back and relax. But maybe put your finger on the rewind button, because I promise, there are going to be things you hear that you want to make sure you heard just right.

Places to find Liesl:

https://lieslmcconchie.com/

Building a Positive Math Identity: A Brain Science Approach

Brain-Based Learning: Teaching the Way Students Really Learn

How do you bring the truth to life? Join Lit Gals Anna and Martie for Episode 40 of Season 5 as they explore the transformative power of Narrative Non-Fiction! 

This genre blends factual accuracy with the storytelling techniques of fiction, making real-life events, history, and science truly irresistible. Whether you teach elementary schoolers or you're an adult reader looking for your next captivating read, Anna and Martie will help you understand what defines this powerful genre and share ideas for books that will leave readers—of any age—informed and inspired.

The Lit Gals are proud to be part of the Keep Indiana Learning network and are excited to also be airing on the KINL Podcast network this season!

Books Shared:

Picture Books:

"Frieda" (Jonah Winter)

"March On" (Christine King Farris)

"Sitting Bull" (SD Nelson) 

Middle Grade & YA:

"Chasing Lincoln's Killer" (James Swanson)

"The Port Chicago 50" (Steve Sheinkin)

"Impossible Escape" (Steve Sheinkin)

"All Thirteen" (Christina Soontornvat)

Adult Titles: 

"Everything Is Tuberculosis" (John Green)

"Hidden Potential" (Adam Grant)

"Be Ready When the Luck Happens" (Ina Garten)

"A Fever in the Heartland" (Timothy Egan)

"News of the World" (Paulette Jiles)

"The Academy" (Elin Hilderbrand & Shelby Cunningham) 

Today’s guest is Vanessa Vakharia - also known as The Math Guru. She is the author of the book (and narrator of the audio book) Math Therapy, the host of the Math Therapy Podcast and overall badass advocate of building positive math identities in our students, the schools in which they learn, and society in general. 

Something about Vanessa is that she is fiercely committed to what she is doing - even when it seems like people will do anything to try to bring her down or prove her wrong. Asked once why a pretty girl like her was teaching math, she clapped back by receiving a Masters Degree in Math Education and Feminist Theory writing a thesis called “Imagining a World Where Paris Hilton Loves Math.” The world where people believing they aren’t math people, it is acceptable to hate math and numbers, or folks  write movies where the pretty cheerleader is making over the nerdy math girl is an unacceptable world and Vanessa is here to combat that - no matter what.

I am enormously grateful to Vanessa for the work she is doing in our schools. I am enormously grateful for the conversation and the opportunity to think about her work and how it applies to so many things in our lives (we talk about this in the episode!). So sit back, relax, and put your finger on the rewind button. I promise there are nuggets in here you’re going to want to listen to more than once!

Places to find Vanessa:

Instagram: @themathguru     

www.⁠maththerapy.com⁠

⁠www.maththerapypodcast.com⁠

⁠Math Therapy - the book

The Teaching Forward podcast kicks off with a practical, no-fluff tour of artificial intelligence (AI) in K-12 education: tools and tips that give teachers time back without replacing what matters most. Keep Indiana Learning Innovation Coaches Karisa Schwanekamp and Tim Arnold share classroom-tested stories, UDL-aligned planning, faster feedback loops for students, and smarter family communication - plus clear guidance for safety and ethics. Think of AI as a thought partner, not an answer machine. Start small, collaborate, and move teaching into the future! Click below for a list of resources and more details about this episode.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1h0WAXrCyF1KRRxIE-1sj8srRSyot0bfC/view?usp=sharing

 In this episode, Dr. Whitney Newton and Nadia Nibbs from TNTP explore the power of consistency in schools—how reliable routines, expectations, and supports help students thrive. Drawing on TNTP’s Opportunity Makers research, they share stories from schools that have built strong, consistent cultures and discuss practical strategies for educators and leaders. Listeners will hear actionable insights and real-world examples for building environments where every student knows what to expect and can succeed. Check out the full research paper: https://tntp.org/opportunity-makers

Ready to level up your reading life? Join Anna, Morgan, and Martie for episode 39 of Season 5 as they dive into a topic near and dear to their hearts: the immense importance and wonderful impact of book clubs! Tune in to hear why starting or joining a book club can be the best next step for your reading journey... regardless of your age. The Lit Gals are proud to be part of the Keep Indiana Learning network and are excited to also be airing on the KINL Podcast network this season! Books Shared: For Young Readers Dolly Parton's Imagination Library "The Little Engine That Could" (Watty Piper) "Shake Dem Halloween Bones" () For Middle Schoolers: Fire Keeper's Daughter (A. Boulley) "Refugee" (A. Gratz) "Lions of Little Rock" (K. Levine) "Proud" (I. Muhammad) "Life in Motion" (M. Copeland) For Adults: "The Woman They Could Not Silence" (K. Moore) "Listening to the Law" (A.Coney Barrett) "We Are All Guilty Here" (Karin Slaughter) "Witchcraft for Wayward Girls" (Grady Hendrix) "Jump and Find Joy" (Hoda Kotb) "Atmosphere" (Taylor Jenkins Reid) "The Briar Club" (Kate Quinn) "The Blonde Who Came in from the Cold" (Ally Carter)

We're re-releasing this episode with some added audio from our interview with 94 yr. old former camper, Harrison Harker and his wife Natalie, also a former camper. The impact Camp Whitley has had on the community is immeasurable, and all because a teacher saw a need and tried to help. Teachers rule!

This week, we speak with Jason Walke. Jason is a recognized leader in EdTech, known for helping schools create ethical AI policies and teaching students how to use AI as a powerful efficiency tool.