In this episode, Sean Kottke, the Manager of the Educator Preparation Unit and Interim Assistant Director, and Bridgett McDowell, Education Assessment Specialist, from the the Office of Educator Excellence at the Michigan Department of Education, discuss Michigan's teacher assessment changes. Sean and Bridgett may be contacted through email. Sean's email is [email protected] and Bridgett's is [email protected]. 

In this episode, Angie Gant, the Director of Program Approval with the Georgia Professional Standards Commission, discusses Georgia's standards for clinical practice experiences and the state's Pre-Service Certification that all candidates must hold prior to any clinical experience in Georgia. Angie can be reached through email at [email protected]. 

In this episode we talk with Tom Welch from The National Council for State Supervisors For Languages. Tom serves on a committee with the Council known as the Neural Network. Tom, describes himself as a “Connectivist” a person who connects ideas and people who are committed to looking at new ways to cause learning. Tom may be contacted through email at [email protected].  

In this episode we talk with Eric Rossen, the Director of Professional Standards at the National Association of School Psychologists about NASP's current work, the need for more mental health practitioners in schools and why school psychologists play an important role. Eric can be contacted through email at [email protected]. 

In this episode we talk with Jennifer Kammerud who works in the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and serves as the Director of the Licensing, Educator Advancement and Development Team and the state's recent data collection from an array of preparation and employment sources to examine the current state of Wisconsin's K-12 education workforce. Jennifer may be contacted through email at [email protected]. 

In this episode with talk with Tuan Nguyen, Assistant Professor of Education at Kansas State University concerning his research around teacher shortages and the nuances and unique situations throughout the country that can vary from region to region, district to district and school to school. Tuan can be contacted through email at [email protected]. 

In this episode we talk with Debb Oliver from Mindful SEAD. Debb is a Learning Scientist, with research interests in Social Emotional, competency based and personalized learning. She co-founded and is CEO of Mindful SEAD, a non-profit organization that inspires innovative teaching and learning through mindful practices and positive psychology by fostering community, personalized learning, developing leadership and embracing each individual’s unique genius. Debb can be reached through email at [email protected]. 

In this episode, Tony Rosilez, NASDTEC Vice President, Annual Conference Planning Committee Chair, and Catherine Slagle, NASDTEC Development Coordinator, share with listeners what to expected at the upcoming 94th Annual Conference in Phoenix, Arizona. 

In this episode, Dr. Jennifer Throndsen, the Director of Teaching and Learning at the Utah State Board of Education, discusses Utah’s work to provide additional support and raise expectations for K-3 reading. Dr. Throndsen may be contacted through email at [email protected]. 

The is the second part of our conversation with Jennifer Kirmes and Etai Mizrav where they discuss the Illinois State Board of Education's component approach to the state's educator shortage issue. Jennifer is the Executive Director in the office of Teaching & Learning at the Illinois State Board of Education. Etai is a researcher and consultant to school systems on issues of educational inequality. Both can be reached through email. Jennifer Kirmes' email is [email protected] and Etai Mizrav's email is [email protected].