LinkedUp: Breaking Boundaries in Education

In this episode of LinkedUp, Jerri and Jamie sit down with Ashlie Bryant, CEO of the 3Strands Global Foundation, to demystify an often-taboo topic: human trafficking. Together, we’ll define the issue, debunk myths, and explore pathways to address it.

Through Ashlie, listeners will learn the vital role of education in empowering communities, students, and teachers to recognize signs, protect potential victims, and support survivors. Join us as we unravel the complexities of human trafficking, offering hope through awareness and education.

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ABOUT OUR GUEST

For over 13 years, Ashlie Bryant has been dedicated to combating human trafficking as the co-founder, CEO, and board member of 3Strands Global Foundation, a nonprofit organization that mobilizes communities through prevention education and reintegration. With a public leadership credential from Harvard Kennedy School and an executive MPA from Cornell University, Ashlie is a visionary and strategic leader who drives social impact and policy change.

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POWERED BY CLASSLINK: ClassLink provides one-click single sign-on into web and Windows applications, and instant access to files at school and in the cloud. Accessible from any computer, tablet, or smartphone, ClassLink is ideal for 1to1 and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) initiatives. Learn more at classlink.com.

This week, Jerri and Jamie return to the world of eSports with podcast host and Vice President of Education Innovation (LeagueSpot), James O’Hagan. Tune in as James takes listeners on a journey deep into the heart of competitive gaming and provides a look into the evolving landscape of scholastic gaming.

Listeners will gain valuable insights into the distinction between esports and scholastic gaming and understand how competitive gaming can be seamlessly integrated into the academic sphere. You won’t want to miss James share his experiences with the positive impacts of gaming on education.

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ABOUT OUR GUEST

James O'Hagan is a Vice President of Education Innovation at LeagueSpot, a company that provides online gaming platforms and solutions for education and entertainment. With over 20 years of experience in education, he is a leader in connecting and promoting esports as a medium for learning, engagement, and well-being for students of all ages and backgrounds.

He is also the founder and host of The Academy of Esports podcast, where he advocates for the transformative potential of esports and shares insights, best practices, and research on topics related to esports and education.

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POWERED BY CLASSLINK: ClassLink provides one-click single sign-on into web and Windows applications, and instant access to files at school and in the cloud. Accessible from any computer, tablet, or smartphone, ClassLink is ideal for 1to1 and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) initiatives. Learn more at classlink.com.

This week, Jerri and Jamie are joined by special guest Joe Feldman, the author of "Grading for Equity." Tune in to hear Joe share his insights and actionable strategies to help educators revolutionize their grading practices.

Believing in the power of change, in this episode, Joe prompts educators to critically examine how conventional grading systems can inadvertently perpetuate educational disparities. Exploring the transformative power of feedback as a catalyst for student growth, Joe provides listeners with strategies for adopting more equitable approaches to learning, shares tips for crafting fair assessments that authentically gauge students' comprehension, and gives his expert advice on nurturing student improvement.

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ABOUT OUR GUEST

Joe Feldman has worked in education at the local and national levels for over twenty years in charter and district school contexts and as a teacher, principal, and district administrator. Joe is currently CEO of Crescendo Education Group, a consulting organization that partners with schools and districts to help teachers use improved and more equitable grading and assessment practices.

Learn more about Grading for Equity:

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POWERED BY CLASSLINK: ClassLink provides one-click single sign-on into web and Windows applications, and instant access to files at school and in the cloud. Accessible from any computer, tablet, or smartphone, ClassLink is ideal for 1to1 and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) initiatives. Learn more at classlink.com.

This week, Jamie and Jerri sit down with special guest Deb Dunstone! Joining the podcast from New Zealand, Deb shares her strategies for bringing the magic back to learning and nurturing student agency.

Tune in to hear Deb discuss the essential ingredients to make learning captivating: fostering connections, empowering students, and embracing inclusive education. Plus, she’ll share her thoughts on the importance of authentic assessment, social-emotional learning, and developing engaging student engagement plans.

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ABOUT OUR GUEST

Deborah Dunstone is the CEO of The Learner First. Formerly, she served as Deputy Director-General, Early Childhood and Educational Improvement, and Assistant Director-General for Disability and Inclusion in the Queensland Education system in Australia. Her career spans over 30 years as a teacher, Principal, School Supervisor, Regional Director, and Senior Executive. She led the development of Queensland’s Inclusive Education policy, resulting in significant cultural growth in school and early childhood settings. She is a recipient of the United Nations Zero Project Award for innovative policy.

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POWERED BY CLASSLINK: ClassLink provides one-click single sign-on into web and Windows applications, and instant access to files at school and in the cloud. Accessible from any computer, tablet, or smartphone, ClassLink is ideal for 1to1 and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) initiatives. Learn more at classlink.com.

In this episode, Jamie and Jerri sit down with visionary leader Elisa Stephens, President of the prestigious Academy of Art University to discuss the intersection of creativity and artificial intelligence.

Tune in to join Elisa as she takes listeners on a journey to the heart of the Academy of Art University’s approach to education, revolutionizing the way students experience art, design, and technology. Together, we’ll explore how Elisa has embraced AI as an interdisciplinary tool to foster creativity across all departments—mirroring the unique, cross-disciplinary nature of the modern creative industry.

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ABOUT OUR GUEST

Dr. Elisa Stephens currently serves as the President of the Academy of Art University where she’s worked since 1992. Dr. Stephens has been committed to expanding the Academy’s curriculum to stay current with new technologies and industry trends, as well as developing state-of-the-art facilities and resources.

Explore the Academy of Art University: ⁠https://www.academyart.edu/⁠

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POWERED BY CLASSLINK: ClassLink provides one-click single sign-on into web and Windows applications, and instant access to files at school and in the cloud. Accessible from any computer, tablet, or smartphone, ClassLink is ideal for 1to1 and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) initiatives. Learn more at classlink.com.

Dive into the transformative concept of contributive learning this week with visionary Joanne McEachen, founder of The Learner First! Join Joanne as she explores how education can transcend traditional boundaries and how individuals can be empowered as active participants in their learning journeys.

Tune in as Joanne shares her insights on how contributive learning redefines how we approach teaching and learning! You’ll get a peek into Joanne’s world as she shares her insights on empowering learners, nurturing holistic growth, and reshaping the future of education.

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ABOUT OUR GUEST

Joanne McEachen is a celebrated author, speaker, change leader, and executive coach. Her 30+ years of experience span time as a teacher, principal, Ministry of Education leader in New Zealand, and now a globally recognized pioneer in the fields of educational assessment and well-being. Joanne founded Kia Kotahi Ako Charitable Trust, is on the Executive Committee for Karanga: The Global Alliance for Social Emotional Learning and Life Skills, on the Education New Zealand: North America Advisory Board, an Edmund Hillary Fellow, a Fellow of Salzburg Global Seminar, and co-founder of New Pedagogies for Deep Learning (NPDL).

Get Joanne's book: https://bit.ly/3YQ1AYf
Explore Joanne’s work: https://www.thelearnerfirst.com/

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POWERED BY CLASSLINK: ClassLink provides one-click single sign-on into web and Windows applications, and instant access to files at school and in the cloud. Accessible from any computer, tablet, or smartphone, ClassLink is ideal for 1to1 and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) initiatives. Learn more at classlink.com.

How do you transform the landscape of education? Educator Jason Osborne has an idea. Discover how he’s using STEM methodology, research, and field investigations to revolutionize education in this week’s episode of LinkedUp.

Tune in to hear Jason’s insights on the power of science education. You’ll leave this episode curious, inspired, and ready to play your part in the future of learning.

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ABOUT OUR GUEST

Jason Osborne currently serves as Chief Business Officer at syGlass, a virtual reality software company making waves in education. With over a hundred invited presentations under his belt, Jason's expertise has taken him to The White House, Google, the New York Academy of Science, the USA Science and Engineering Festival, and more. His contributions have earned recognition in publications like Nature, Science, Scientific American, and National Geographic. His work has also been featured across major media outlets including TEDx, MSNBC, CNN, and NPR and, in 2013, he was honored by President Obama as a Champion of Change.

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POWERED BY CLASSLINK: ClassLink provides one-click single sign-on into web and Windows applications, and instant access to files at school and in the cloud. Accessible from any computer, tablet, or smartphone, ClassLink is ideal for 1to1 and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) initiatives. Learn more at classlink.com.

This week Jamie and Jerri sit down with Dr. Ted Stec, a Chicago-area school superintendent, who’s sharing his insights on how to create schools that truly succeed. His message revolves around a simple yet powerful concept: connection.

Tune in to see how Dr. Stec delves into the transformative impact of meaningful connections between students, teachers, and parents. Learn how fostering a sense of connection can lead to improved student achievement, reduced teacher burnout, and stronger relationships between schools and the communities they serve.

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ABOUT OUR GUEST

Dr. Ted Stec is an experienced educator and school superintendent in the suburbs of Chicago. He prides himself on building connections within his schools and local communities.

Get The Connection Mindset: A Solution for Our Schools on Amazon.

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POWERED BY CLASSLINK: ClassLink provides one-click single sign-on into web and Windows applications, and instant access to files at school and in the cloud. Accessible from any computer, tablet, or smartphone, ClassLink is ideal for 1to1 and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) initiatives. Learn more at classlink.com.

Recorded live at ISTE23, Jerri and Jamie sit down to discuss all things esports and the policies district leaders need to consider as more students engage in this popular trend.

Tune in for insights into the challenges and opportunities of implementing esports in schools and to learn the importance of having clear policies in place to keep students safe while participating in this new sport. Plus, learn about the “Battle of the Boroughs” esports competition for students in NYC and the future of esports.

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ABOUT OUR GUESTS

In March 2022, Dr. Avis Williams was selected to serve as superintendent of the Nola Public Schools. She is the first woman to be permanently appointed to this role. Her core values are Equity, Excellence and Joy and she is known for her ability to drive innovation while improving organizational culture and climate.

Jose Perez began his teaching journey as a Special Education Teacher with expertise in instructional technology. After several years in the classroom, Jose has held positions as a school-based instructional technology coach, an instructional technology coordinator for NYCDOE’s Magnet Schools Assistance Program, Ed Tech Implementation Manager/Teacher Team Leadership Coach and now the Deputy Director of Instructional & Enterprise Technology for DIIT.

Anthony Cassanovas is an experienced Education Technology Program Implementation Manager and Career Technical Education teacher in the NYC Department of Education, Division of Instructional & Information Technology.

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POWERED BY CLASSLINK: ClassLink provides one-click single sign-on into web and Windows applications, and instant access to files at school and in the cloud. Accessible from any computer, tablet, or smartphone, ClassLink is ideal for 1to1 and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) initiatives. Learn more at classlink.com.

This week, Jerri and Jamie sit down with author and diversity and inclusion expert Kimberlee Armstrong to discuss how the principles of intersectional leadership can be applied to create more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplaces.

Tune in as Kimberlee shares insights from her book “Intersectional Leadership,” including the importance of creating inclusive workplaces for all employees, the need to actively address issues of discrimination, how to overcome the common challenges related to DEI, and the importance of creating a plan for intersectional leadership in your organization. Plus, learn practical strategies for implementing these practices into your workplace for a more inclusive and resilient work environment!

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ABOUT OUR GUEST

Dr. Kimberlee Armstrong began her educational career as a public school teacher in the Puyallup School District (WA) and has since devoted over two decades to various roles in elementary, middle, and high schools, with a focus on leading and supporting staff. She is now the Chief Academic Officer in Portland, Oregon. With a steadfast dedication to learning and liberation, Dr. Armstrong is actively involved in community service and academic enhancement.

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POWERED BY CLASSLINK: ClassLink provides one-click single sign-on into web and Windows applications, and instant access to files at school and in the cloud. Accessible from any computer, tablet, or smartphone, ClassLink is ideal for 1to1 and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) initiatives. Learn more at classlink.com.