Lessons from the Field - Austin ISD Professional Learning

Lessons from the Field - Austin ISD Professional Learning

By Austin ISD Professional LearningEducation
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Lessons from the Field - Austin ISD Professional Learning episodes

  • Episode #10: Lessons from the Field

    Duration: 00:31:19

    Guest: Michelle Hernandez, Josefina Hughes, & Leslie Barrett - Professional Learning Design Specialists.

    Lessons from the Field engages staff members from the Austin Independent School District about teaching and learning in our community. Discussions focus on distance learning and how it impacts teachers and students.

    Website: Austin ISD Professional Learning

    Social Media: @AustinISDPL

    In this episode, Mark Gurgel and Matthew Castilleja interview Leslie, Michelle, and Josie with a discussion focused on CONNECT - Austin ISD’s program to support new-to-AISD teachers.

    During this episode, we discuss:

    • Evolution of CONNECT and SY2019-20 Activities [3:01]
    • Making connections with staff [9:53]
    • Collaborations with AISD departments & Kickstart [12:49]
    • How do staff find out more about CONNECT? [19:13]

      • Resources mentioned in this episode include:

      • Austin ISD PL – CONNECT Website
      • Austin ISD PL – Department Website
      • Austin ISD PL – Social Media
        • 32 min
      • Episode #9: Lessons from the Field

        Duration: 00:36:06

        Guest: Lavell Lathan, LBJ High School, Austin Independent School District

        Lessons from the Field engages staff members from the Austin Independent School District about teaching and learning in our community. Discussions focus on distance learning and how it impacts teachers and students.

        Website: Austin ISD Professional Learning

        Social Media: @AustinISDPL

        In this episode, Mark Gurgel and Matthew Castilleja interview Lavell Lathan, a graduate of Huston-Tillotson University in Austin, Texas. He has a passion for building student relationships that cultivate high academic achievement and concept mastery.

        During this episode, we discuss:

        • Working with students and families [2:54]
        • Perspective from a first-year teacher [9:36]
        • Challenges in a distance learning environment [14:40]
        • Balancing personal life and work life [21:26]
        • Opportunities and take-aways [24:51]
          • 37 min
        • Episode #8: Lessons from the Field

          Duration: 00:46:59

          Guest: Alex Hassett & Ryan Rutherford, Baranoff Elementary School, Austin Independent School District

          Lessons from the Field engages staff members from the Austin Independent School District about teaching and learning in our community. Discussions focus on distance learning and how it impacts teachers and students.

          Website: Austin ISD Professional Learning

          Social Media: @AustinISDPL

          In this episode, Mark Gurgel and Matthew Castilleja interview Alex Hassett & Ryan Rutherford. Alex Hassett is a fourth-grade math and science teacher at Baranoff elementary who enjoys running, golf, tennis, and reading suspense novels in her free time. Follow @HassettTeaches on Twitter to see what’s going on in her personalized and blended learning classroom. Ryan Rutherford is a third-grade teacher at Baranoff Elementary in AISD. His professional interests focus on literacy, inquiry, and blended learning.

          During this episode, we discuss:

          • Working with students and families [2:39]
          • Collaborating with colleagues [14:40]
          • Overcoming challenges [24:38]
          • Use of technology [28:38]
          • Recommendations for the fall [36:02]

            • Resources mentioned in this episode include:

            • Screencastify
              • 47 min
            • Episode #7: Lessons from the Field

              Duration: 00:37:56

              Guest: Sara Brennan  (NBCT), Murchison Middle School, Austin Independent School District

              Lessons from the Field engages staff members from the Austin Independent School District about teaching and learning in our community. Discussions focus on distance learning and how it impacts teachers and students.

              Website: Austin ISD Professional Learning

              Social Media: @AustinISDPL

              In this episode, Mark Gurgel and Matthew Castilleja interview Sara Brennan. Sara is Oklahoma-born and Texas-raised, a middle school teacher, and loves her two awesome sons and God. Besides reading, she loves triathlon, hiking and camping, gardening, and natural spaces.

              During this episode, we discuss:

              • Working with students and families [3:22]
              • Opportunities in a distance learning environment [12:58]
              • Challenges in a distance learning environment [17:19]
              • Maintaining connections with students and families [24:17]

                • Resources mentioned in this episode include:

                • Padlet
                • Flocabulary
                • Flipgrid
                  • 38 min
                • Episode #6: Lessons from the Field

                  Duration: 00:36:36

                  Guest: Rodrigo Rodriguez-Tovar  (NBCT), Cook Elementary School, Austin Independent School District

                  Website: Austin ISD Professional Learning

                  Social Media: @AustinISDPL

                  In this episode, Lessons from the Field engages staff members from the Austin Independent School District about teaching and learning in our community. Discussions focus on distance learning and how it impacts teachers and students.

                  In this episode, Mark Gurgel and Matthew Castilleja interview Rodrigo Rodríguez-Tovar, who works as an Elementary Dual Language Instructional Coach at Cook Elementary in Austin ISD. He is a National Board Certified Teacher and a big advocate for Great Public Schools in which he loves making an impact on student learning.

                  During this episode, we discuss:

                  • Working with students and families [2:59]
                  • Supporting teachers as an instructional coach [4:30]
                  • Utilizing SeeSaw [6:32]
                  • Meeting the needs of students and families [9:55]
                  • Opportunities during distance learning [16:50]
                  • Supporting dual language [22:40]
                  • Using technology [29:12]

                    • Resources mentioned in this episode include:

                    • Seesaw
                    • Zoom
                    • Loom
                    • Class Dojo
                      • 37 min
                    • Episode #5: Lessons from the Field

                      Duration: 00:49:51

                      Guest: Mary Tijerina (NBCT), Menchaca Elementary School, Austin Independent School District

                      Website: Austin ISD Professional Learning

                      Social Media: @AustinISDPL

                      Lessons from the Field engages staff members from the Austin Independent School District about teaching and learning in our community. Discussions focus on distance learning and how it impacts teachers and students.

                      In this episode, Mark Gurgel and Matthew Castilleja interview Mary Tijerina, a dream catalyst, a future shaper, and a dedicated cheerleader for little tiny humans, otherwise known as a PreK teacher. She is a mother of 2, an Austinite, and most recently, a backyard bird watcher.

                      During this episode, we discuss:

                      • Working with students and families [3:59]
                      • Parent Zoom meetings [8:34]
                      • Communication and learning platforms [13:46]
                      • In-person, virtual, and social & emotional  learning  [23:26]
                      • Learning structures and protocols [29:26]
                      • Planning for the fall in a distance learning environment [36:11]

                        • Resources mentioned in this episode include:

                        • Seesaw
                        • BLEND (Canvas)
                        • Zoom
                        • Living Tree
                          • 50 min
                        • Episode #4: Lessons from the Field

                          Duration: 00:50:24

                          Guest: Margaret Daniels, Gus Garcia Young Men’s Leadership Academy, Austin Independent School District

                          Website: Austin ISD Professional Learning

                          Social Media: @AustinISDPL

                          Lessons from the Field engages staff members from the Austin Independent School District about teaching and learning in our community. Discussions focus on distance learning and how it impacts teachers and students.

                          In this episode, Mark Gurgel and Matthew Castilleja interview Margaret Daniels, who is an educator with a passion for ensuring all students get the opportunity to be equipped with a quality education. She arrived late into the education career field, is making up the time with parents, students, and peers.

                          During this episode, we discuss:

                          • Working with students and families [2:54]
                          • Connecting with all students and teachers [12:25]
                          • Importance of acknowledging students and families current realities [20:46]
                          • Social and emotional health of students, families, and staff [26:19]
                          • Opportunities because of distance learning [28:50]
                          • Planning for the fall [33:33]

                            • Resources mentioned in this episode include:

                            • Flipgrid
                            • Feelings Wheel
                            • Kahoot
                            • Quizizz
                              • 51 min
                            • Episode #3: Lessons from the Field

                              Duration: 00:32:23

                              Guest: Minda Anderson (NBCT), Librarian, Becker Elementary School, Austin Independent School District

                              Website: Austin ISD Professional Learning

                              Social Media: @AustinISDPL

                              Lessons from the Field engages staff members from the Austin Independent School District about teaching and learning in our community. Discussions focus on distance learning and how it impacts teachers and students.

                              In this episode, Mark Gurgel and Matthew Castilleja interview Minda Anderson. Minda is finishing her 7th year as the proud bilingual librarian at Becker Elementary in Austin ISD. The 2017-2018 District Librarian of the Year, Minda is National Board Certified and spends as much time possible reading outside. Follow her @beckerreads on Instagram or @BeckerElemLib on Twitter.

                              During this episode, we discuss:

                              • Working with students and families [2:44]
                              • Using a community BLEND course [8:44]
                              • Shifting role of librarian [11:33]
                              • Digital library & resources [14:44]
                              • Working with AISDTV [18:54]
                              • Challenges & opportunities [21:43]

                                • Resources mentioned in this episode include:

                                • Seesaw
                                • Google Classroom
                                • Canvas (BLEND)
                                • MackinVIA
                                  • 33 min
                                • Episode #2: Lessons from the Field

                                  Duration: 00:48:53

                                  Guest: Stacey Shapiro (NBCT), Zilker Elementary School, Austin Independent School District

                                  Website: Austin ISD Professional Learning

                                  Social Media: @AustinISDPL

                                  Lessons from the Field engages staff members from the Austin Independent School District about teaching and learning in our community. Discussions focus on distance learning and how it impacts teachers and students.

                                  In this episode, Mark Gurgel and Matthew Castilleja interview Stacey Shapiro, who teaches 1st Grade at Zilker Elementary,  This National Board Certified teacher has taught in AISD for 22 years.

                                  During this episode, we discuss:

                                  • Working with students and families [4:04]
                                  • Assessment [12:46]
                                  • Teacher Collaboration [17:49]
                                  • Online & Offline Learning [26:14]
                                  • Social Media Impact on Teaching [37:44]

                                    • Resources mentioned in this episode include:

                                    • Seesaw
                                    • Screencastify
                                    • Thinglink
                                    • AISD At-Home Learning Website
                                    • Smore
                                      • 49 min
                                    • Episode #1: Lessons from the Field

                                      Duration: 00:45:56

                                      Guest: Kim Collins, Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders


                                      Website: Austin ISD Professional Learning

                                      Social Media: @AustinISDPL


                                      Lessons from the Field engages staff members from the Austin Independent School District about teaching and learning in our community. Discussions focus on distance learning and how it impacts teachers and students.

                                      In this episode, Mark Gurgel and Matthew Castilleja interview Kim Collins, a teacher at the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders, and the Austin ISD Secondary Teacher of the Year for 2019.
                                      During this episode, we discuss:

                                      • Working with students and families [0:00]
                                      • Playlists & Flipped Classrooms [4:10]
                                      • Using Zoom [8:27]
                                      • Meeting teachers where they are [15:57]
                                      • A shift in thinking & preparing for the fall [29:33]

                                        • Resources mentioned in this episode include:

                                        • Playposit
                                          • 46 min

                                        About Lessons from the Field - Austin ISD Professional Learning

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                                        Lessons from the Field engages staff members from the Austin Independent School District about teaching and learning in our community. Discussions focus on distance learning and how it impacts teachers and students.