Learning to Change

Joining me for a conversation on volunteering and altruism  is Nicole Sdao, founder and CEO of Altruize.

Nicole is a firm believer in the transformative power of volunteerism. She challenges conventional views of volunteering as strictly a service to others, and invites us to see it as an investment in ourselves and a path of growth and learning. 

Nicole and I explored everything from her personal experiences to her insights on different cultures’ attitudes towards volunteering. We also discussed how volunteering offers the opportunity to expand you as a person and allows you to connect with people outside of your usual circles.

We also talk about Altruize, the company Nicole is building and how the platform aims to change the world of volunteering through data, transparency, and connection.

Throughout our conversation, Nicole highlights the transformative power of volunteering and how learning is the basis of change.

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LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE TO HEAR:

How a move to a new city opened Nicole to the power of volunteering to expand and connect with a community

Why Nicole says we have to exercise our altruism just like we would a muscle 

How Altruize is creating a platform to make volunteering more transparent and the skills learned more transferable

How to consider what skills you can bring to an organization as a volunteer so they can make the best use of your time

RESOURCES:

Abigail Marsh: Why some people are more altruistic than others | TED Talk

LEARN MORE ABOUT Nicole Sdao:

Altruize

Connect with Nicole on LinkedIn

Connect with Altruize on LinkedIn

Facebook: @Altruize

Twitter: @Altruize

Instagram: @Altruize

LEARN MORE ABOUT MELISSA EMLER AND MODERN LEARNERS:

Modern Learners

Modern Learners Community

When Google first came on the scene, it forced teachers to change the way they taught learners and to ask “better questions”. The common adage was, if it could be Googled (by the student), it wasn’t a good question. 

Now, with the rise of AI tools, we are again forced to look at our teaching methods and how to better support learners. But the question can’t only focus on how AI can or should be used by teachers. The more impactful change is in how teachers can integrate and implement AI in a way that benefits the learners. This time, it’s about helping learners ask better questions. 

It’s a shift from a traditional form of education to a culture of agency and inquiry. 

To dive deep into this topic, I’ve asked Jody Britten to join me on the show. Jody Britten is the Director of Learning Technologies at the Team4Tech Foundation. She is a relentless advocate for leveraging technology to empower social change, a former teacher, professor, and consultant specializing in innovation, learning, and measuring impact. She is passionate about finding ways to optimize teams through data-informed decisions and evidence-based practices. Her work has been featured in USA Today, EdWeek, EdTech Magazine, and more.

We’ll discuss data privacy, the labor of training large language models, and the biggest changes we expect to see when it comes to AI in education.

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LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE TO HEAR:

Why we have to recognize that we’ve been using AI in education for longer than we think

Key points to consider when evaluating a tool to use in your classroom

The difference between open and closed model tools

Why educators need to consider the possibilities of AI tools beyond fear of cheating

How AI tools can support a culture of agency and inquiry

Why we’re not yet at a tipping point with AI and ChatGPT

Why youth need to be included in the conversation about using AI tools

RESOURCES:

Team4Tech Foundation

ChatGPT

Elicit

Bard

LEARN MORE ABOUT MELISSA EMLER AND MODERN LEARNERS:

Modern Learners

Modern Learners Community

Today I have a conversation that delves into the intriguing concept of the Wellness Contagion with my guest, Katrina Johnson.

A Wellness Contagion shifts the focus from illness to well-being and aims to spread awareness of protective factors.

At the core of Katrina’s work is a program called Sources of Strength, which empowers students to take the lead in promoting mental health awareness, while receiving support from adults. This initiative creates a culture of support and connection, emphasizing experiential learning, breaking the stigma surrounding mental health, and fostering a sense of belonging.

Today, Katrina shares her journey in expanding the program across multiple schools, the barriers she has faced, and why it’s so important to have a dedicated point of contact at each school. She also outlines next steps for building a comprehensive school-based mental health program and the groundwork she is laying to develop systems that can be duplicated in every school and community.

Katrina Johnson is a helper in spreading a wellness contagion throughout one school district and community at a time.  She is a licensed clinical social worker, regional trainer for Sources of Strength, and dairy farmer. Current work includes designing and facilitating what she has coined, "Protective Factor Literacy." These projects interface with the Wisconsin Suicide Prevention Steering Committee, Office of Children's Mental Health, and Coalition for Expanding School-Based Mental Health. There are three loves that guide her persistence in informing best practices in school-based mental health: 1) love for data, 2) love to learn, and 3) love to play. 

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LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE TO HEAR:

How reframing language towards wellness and protective factors impacts behavior

How the peer-to-peer element of Sources of Strength makes kids change agents in their own environments

Why implementation of Sources starts with one key point of contact

How Katrina helps schools find avenues of funding for Sources of Strength programs

Three key factors Katrina wants to see addressed in mental health programming

Why it’s vital for mental health screenings and programs to be in schools

RESOURCES:

Sources of Strength Wheels

LEARN MORE ABOUT Katrina Johnson:

Connect Strength

Instagram: @connectstrength

Facebook: @ConnectStrength

LEARN MORE ABOUT MELISSA EMLER AND MODERN LEARNERS:

Modern Learners

Modern Learners Community

What happens in your organization when someone makes a mistake? 

Is the process about blame and punishment? Or is it about shared accountability for systems and recognizing the humanity of those involved?

Today, my guest, Julie Stephenson, and I are diving into the concept of building a Just Culture.

A Just Culture radically shifts the approach to accountability from punishment to taking the time to understand root causes, treating employees as whole individuals, and acknowledging their outside commitments. A Just Culture is one where organizations take responsibility for their systems and respond to employees with fairness and equity.

But implementing a Just Culture isn’t without challenges and resistance to change.

Julie and I discuss what happened at the hospital she works with as they began to move toward a Just Culture. We’ll talk about the difference between mistakes and reckless behavior, as well as the value of curiosity and questioning when assessing risk awareness, the systemic impacts of individual actions, and the importance of understanding the broader context of personal decisions.

Join us for a deep dive into how Just Culture can transform workplace environments, promote shared accountability, and enhance the overall quality of service.

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LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE TO HEAR:

How indirect and cultural messages within an organization impact the perception of acceptable behaviors

How Just Culture brings accountability to implicit and explicit systems that impact employee behavior

Why implementing a Just Culture model improves how employees show up at work

Challenges and roadblocks that come up when moving to a Just Culture

Three reasons why people follow rules, and why avoiding punishment and sanction isn’t enough

The fundamental difference between true mistakes and risky behaviors

more about my guest, Julie stephenson:

Julie Stephenson’s commitment to and passion for conversations that move organizations toward a healthier and more human place to live, work and learn have guided her entire career. Currently, she supports a critical access hospital in southwestern Wisconsin as a certified coach and Just Culture leader. Her most recent creative endeavor includes The Water We Swim In series and The Lab - a cultural and storytelling experiment she co-created. This work de-stigmatizes mental health, normalizes sharing stories, and honors the lived experiences of our friends and neighbors in southwestern Wisconsin.

In 2018, Julie founded Compounding Courage to create a movement inspired by Mr. Rogers’s wise words, "Anything that’s human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable. When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary. The people we trust with that important talk can help us know that we are not alone."

RESOURCES:

Compounding Courage

Facebook: @CompoundingCourage

LEARN MORE ABOUT MELISSA EMLER AND MODERN LEARNERS:

Modern Learners

Modern Learners Community

Education and professional development are undergoing a remarkable transformation, breaking free from the confines of traditional classrooms and textbooks. Instead, they're thriving at the intersection of community, events, and content.

But what does this mean for you as a learner? 

In this episode, we explore the future of learning and the path to success for learners like you. We cover the interdependent components of modern learning and we talk about a continuous cycle of learning, applying, reflecting, and sharing. 

We also discuss the importance of not only acquiring knowledge, but of applying it in practical ways and contributing to the greater body of knowledge.

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LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE TO HEAR:

The three components of modern learning: community, content, and events

Why those components must be treated as interdependent in order to foster a culture of learning

Why meaningful educational experiences start with giving learners agency over their learning

The role of social networks in fostering learning

The five phases of collective learning

RESOURCES:

The Fifth Discipline: The Art & Practice of the Learning Organization, Peter Senge

Social Cognitive Theory: An Agentic Perspective on Human Nature, Albert Bandura

LEARN MORE ABOUT MELISSA EMLER AND MODERN LEARNERS:

Modern Learners

Modern Learners Community

In today’s world, personal growth and transformation are crucial for success and happiness. But often, we find ourselves struggling to make lasting changes.

In Episode 01, we introduced the Modern Learners Lens, likening it to a kaleidoscope where beliefs, contexts, and practices come together to create a vibrant, harmonious learning culture.

Today, we are going to connect the Modern Learners Lens to Immunity to Change, a powerful psychological framework from the work of Robert Kegan and Lisa Laskow Lahey. This framework helps us uncover the deep-rooted assumptions and unconscious conflicting commitments that hold us back from achieving our goals.

Throughout this journey, we'll guide you through the five essential steps to overcoming your immunity to change.

As we delve into the Immunity to Change Map, a practical guide for navigating these hidden barriers and fostering growth, we'll also share stories of transformation to bring this concept to life.

You'll learn how to connect the Modern Learners Lens with the Immunity to Change, to create lasting positive transformation in your personal and professional lives.

Join us as we embark on this journey of self-discovery, growth, and lasting change. Let's dive into the world of Immunity to Change and unlock the secrets to transformation in your life.

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LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE TO HEAR:

The five steps of the Immunity to Change framework

How Immunity to Change complements the Modern Learners Lens in building a culture of positive growth

Exploring our commitments and barriers to change in the Immunity to Change Map

RESOURCES:

Immunity to Change: How to Overcome It and Unlock Potential in Yourself and Your Organization, Lisa Laskow Lahey and Robert Kegan

Immunity Map Worksheet

LEARN MORE ABOUT MELISSA EMLER AND MODERN LEARNERS:

Modern Learners

Modern Learners Community

Many people think they know what learning means, but often these beliefs go unexamined and can be oversimplified or even misleading.

Our intentions are usually honorable when we think of learning. But when these good intentions result in total or partial failures, we are disappointed and puzzled. We direct blame to various factors. Rarely do we ask though if it’s possible that our conception of learning was faulty, grossly simplistic, or in need of an overhaul or even discarded.

In this episode, we discuss why we need to reevaluate our understanding of learning, differentiate between learning and achievement, and remind our listeners that at Modern Learners, our focus is on learning. 

[fusebox_track_player url="https://media.blubrry.com/modernlearners/content.blubrry.com/modernlearners/LTC_01_FINAL.mp3"  title="01. The Modern Learners Lens"]

LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE TO HEAR:

The fundamental differences between learning and achievement

The role of belief in driving learning and development and key questions to identify your organization’s fundamental principles

How to establish the context your organization and objectives operate in

Why practices need to be in alignment with both beliefs and context

Reflecting on how to cultivate a culture of learning

RESOURCES:

And What Do You Mean by Learning?, Seymour Sarason

LEARN MORE ABOUT MELISSA EMLER AND MODERN LEARNERS:

Modern Learners

Modern Learners Community

Change is hard.

It’s hard enough when you’re trying to break a bad habit or work toward a new goal, but leading change in your organization? That can feel impossible.

So why is change so difficult?

What most people don’t see when they acknowledge that a change is necessary is the competing commitments that work in our subconscious to keep us right where we are because it’s comfortable.

When we identify our competing commitments and work to debunk our old assumptions, we can discover a path forward.

I’m Melissa Emler, Chief Learning Officer at Modern Learners. I’ve spent 20 years in schools and classrooms. I’ve participated in, and even led, countless continuous improvement initiatives that fell flat.

A few years back, I adopted my mantra: I’m not asking you to change, I’m asking you to learn. And you know what? Change–transformative, meaningful change–is exactly what happens when people embrace learning.

Today, my team and I at Modern learners help organizations create cultures of learning so that they can get unstuck, move forward with confidence, and achieve their goals.

Learning to Change is a podcast about the transformative power of learning. We share stories and interviews that showcase how learning leads to change and growth so that you can apply these lessons in your organization. We help you break down barriers to learning and make learning the cultural DNA of your team.

With a shared passion for learning and a wealth of experience in professional development, our goal is to help you unlock your full potential and drive meaningful change in your life and your organization.

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LEARN MORE ABOUT MELISSA EMLER AND MODERN LEARNERS:

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Jenn Binis, President of Schoolmarm Advisors Consulting Group, shares her take on the purpose of American Public Education on today's show. She pulls the rubber band back further on the narrative of factory model schools to give us a glimpse at the more uncomfortable beginnings of public schools. She thinks the factory model narrative is comfortable, and that is why it prevails.

As most people are looking to the future of schools during this global pandemic, Modern Learners is going to go back in time to see what can be learned from history and applied to our current contexts. Jen challenges listeners to ask whose story is not being told when reflecting and gathering stories from this moment. She believes that anti-racism education is at a tipping point and progress is being made towards honoring the experiences all children in schools. The hashtag movements of #disrupttexts, #cleartheair, and #31daysibpoc also get a shout out in this episode.

We also explore the history of NCLB and how it came to be. Many believe it happened because people didn't trust teachers, but Jenn is convinced it has more to do with states wanting to have a better idea of what was happening in schools.

There are parts of this conversation that may be uncomfortable depending your level of understanding of anti-racism work. We also talk about our use of the collective "we" which in this episode we defined as middle-aged white women who are teachers. This "we" was important as we also discussed the fact that 70% of the people in the education field are women, and yet women hold less than 30% of leadership positions in schools. The reasons for this also have a historical origin story.

As always thanks for listening. If you haven't listened to the last episode with Dr. Kim Parker, please click over there and have a listen.

 

Bringing you today's podcast guest, Dr. Kim Parker, brings me great joy! Dr. Kim Parker is a co-founder of #disrupttexts as well as a co-founder of the #31daysIBPOC project which we will discuss in great detail.

Dr. Kim reminds us that teaching is political. To shy away from the idea of teaching being political means to divorce ourselves from our identities, and that is unjust. In this conversation we work to elevate the contributions our colleagues of color make to the field, their communities, and to the lives of the children they serve.

Together we explore how the project came to be. Shout out to Dr. Kim's co-founder Tricia Ebarvia, who we featured in episode 72. According to Dr. Kim, Tricia gets things done. They managed to bring this project together in just a couple of weeks. They are hopeful that school leaders will reference this body of work for staff development and ongoing conversations about anti-racsim. Dr. Kim also encourages people to reach out the writers for keynotes and in person experiences. And, if you want to send them a cup of coffee through Venmo, that would be great too.

Towards the end of our conversation, we begin discussing COVID-19 and the impact it is having. Dr. Kim makes mention that more black and brown people are dying of the disease than any other groups. That is not okay. She begs listeners to read the history and recognize we are preserving the same unjust systems, and we need to stop. She's also worried about her Asian-American friends and the unjust acts they have been and will likely continue to experience.

Dr. Kim encourages people to pay attention to who is writing what they are reading. For me, following the writers from the #31daysibpoc project completely changed my Twitter feed. The algorithm that is now served to me is much more diverse, and I see lots of colleagues of color sharing their brilliance. I've learned so much. You can too.

Be sure to read the writers and share frequently on social.