Little Things First

Rachel Nance is a Utah consultant who has spent her entire education career advocating for equity and excellence in schools.  She has worked as a middle school ESL teacher, a coach, an assistant principal, and a principal.  Former Secretary of Education Arne Duncan visited her school because of the outstanding work being done there.  Ms. Nance talks about her current work as a consultant and how she uses coaching and feedback as a tool to affect transformational change in schools.  

Jim Sporleder is known across the country for his work at Lincoln High School, chronicled in the film "Paper Tigers" showing his commitment to trauma-informed education.  This approach changed the way he thought about this work as a principal.  Tracy and Jim interview him to find out why he moved towards a more trauma-informed approach, stories of how it changed his work, and where he thinks the movement is headed.  

In our final episode of 2019 (!), we interview teacher Heather Campbell, a second-career teacher who has experienced three different schools and three different leaders.  The leaders have had strengths and weaknesses, but Heather has learned some little things her principals do that make her work easier and more do-able.  We learn what those little things are today. 

We have enjoyed bringing you season 1 of "Little Things First" and will be back on January 7th with all new episodes as part of season 2!  Thanks for your support!  Happy holidays!!

Ross Cooper learned differently.  This was the impetus for his own interest in project-based learning, an initiative to help students be more engaged in relevant activities in the classroom and beyond.  What are the little things educators can do to bring project-based initiatives to life?  Mr. Cooper, author of Hacking Project-Based Learning, tells us how.  

Psychological safety is a phrase becoming well known in business and management circles.  So why hasn't it become more prominent in education?  Leadership coach Beth Strathman of Firebrand Consulting talks about the need for psychological safety in all organizations and what leaders can do to make it a reality.  

What is a Principal in Action?  How are principals in action redefining what it essentially means to be a principal?  All instructional leaders and teachers will want to listen to this episode about how principals can support a school's progress by changing what they fundamentally do every day.  In this second of a two-part series, we interview the co-author of the new book Principals in Action Jay Posick about how he has stayed fresh in his role as principal even after 13 years.  

What is a Principal in Action?  How are principals in action redefining what it essentially means to be a principal?  All instructional leaders and teachers will want to listen to this episode about how principals can support a school's progress by changing what they fundamentally do every day.  Mark French is the co-author of the new book Principals in Action.  We interview him this week and follow up with his co-author Jay Posick next week. 

Tracy and Jim sit with 10 teachers as part of a breakout session at November 2nd's EdCamp Utah.  What do teachers say when asked to identify the little things that make a difference in their work?  You may be surprised!  

Tune in tomorrow for Teacher Talk with 10 teachers from EdCamp Utah.  What will they identify as the little things that make a big difference?  Will you agree?  Find out tomorrow!

Sandra K. Cortez is the principal of Mary and Frank Yturria Elementary, which recently won the Gold Medal from the National Center for Urban School Transformation our of San Diego State.  The school is located in Texas near the border.  We talk to Ms. Cortez about those little things that have made the gold-medal difference at her school.  Hint: it has something to do with chess.