Don't be afraid of the big, bad A.I.! In this episode, we sit down with educator, author, consultant and A.I. expert Jeff Utecht to dissect how AI tools like ChatGPT-4 have the potential to revolutionize the classroom. Utecht helps us navigate the delicate balance of excitement and fear around AI's role in education, offering valuable insights into how educators can best serve their students in this new era.

"Our job is to prepare students for their future, not for our past," according to Utecht. We explore the necessity for educators to evolve along with these groundbreaking tools to ensure students gain the relevant skills needed in an AI-driven world. Yet, how can we prepare students for a future we barely understand ourselves?

Utecht challenges the common belief that AI hampers learning by drawing powerful parallels to the historical resistance faced by other technological advancements from calculators to the internet.

He also shares practical advice on how to tackle challenges such as student cheating, the importance of clarity in educational goals and the three key A.I. policies you'll want to have in place as you begin the coming school year.

You can find out more about Jeff and his many projects at ...
JeffUtecht.com and ShiftingSchools.com.

Also, check out his podcast:
Shifting Schools Podcast: Conversations for K-12 Educators

"Outliers in Education" is a project of CEE, The Center for Educational Effectiveness. Find out more at effectiveness.org.

Produced by Jamie Howell at Howell at the Moon Productions.

We talk about ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) at school. We take bullying head on. But there's one especially treacherous ACE that afflicts as many as 1 in 3 teens from which we shy almost completely - teen dating violence and sexual abuse.

Abuse survivor-turned-activist and national touring expert Ashley Bendiksen has made it her mission to bring these widespread and uncomfortable issues out of the darkness in order to shine her light on a welcome alternative - teaching kids how to establish and maintain healthy relationships.

The relevance for public education is immense because, as Bendiksen points out, traumatized kids have a much harder time learning. It's next to impossible to focus on completing assignments or taking tests when students face abuse in their home or key relationships. But few teachers and administrators have been trained how to address such sensitive topics.

This is where Bendiksen comes in with her clarion call. She travels the country sharing her own powerful story of survival, and the expertise she has since developed around domestic and sexual violence, adolescent mental health, resilience and healing after abuse. Further, she points out the profound influence educators can have on young lives when they transcend the academic and begin to venture into the social and emotional minefields many of their students are forced to navigate.

Some of the solutions Bendiksen outlines as a response to this complex and traumatic state of affairs sound surprisingly simple - simple enough that you may wonder why all educators aren't provided with these tools from the outset of their careers.

You can find out more about Ashley Bendiksen, her library of resources and her speaking engagements at ashleybendiksen.com. 

"Outliers in Education" is a project of CEE, The Center for Educational Effectiveness. Find out more at effectiveness.org.

Produced by Jamie Howell at Howell at the Moon Productions.

Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal has been at the helm of education in this state for seven of the most challenging years in education in recent memory. But that hasn't dissuaded him from seeking a third term this November. In this episode, Reykdal steers us through the complex terrain of educational policy, public opinion and a changing world that will demand innovation and adaptation from educators as we move into the future.

It's a candid look at the public school system's resilience and adaptability in the face of a world irrevocably changed by the pandemic, where student populations are declining, educators often find themselves under attack from vocal detractors in their communities and a mental health crisis plagues classrooms across the country. Reykdal finds hope in the transformative potential of dual-language programs, equity, inclusivity and the possibility of reimagining the ways our high schools can best provide the education all students need for future success. 

Throughout history, Reykdal says, public school systems have come under attack from various quarters. This, too, shall pass, he believes and the job of educators is to keep their eye on the prize - learning according to the needs of each child. While he never contends the job is or will be an easy one, Reykdal frames the future of education in Washington State with a refreshing optimism as he vies to continue leading the state's 295 public school districts and their combined total of more than a million students.

Find out more about Superintendent Chris Reykdal online at:

• Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
• And his official campaign site, Elect Chris Reykdal.
  
  
  

"Outliers in Education" is a project of CEE, The Center for Educational Effectiveness. Find out more at effectiveness.org.

Produced by Jamie Howell at Howell at the Moon Productions.

Discover the strategies and the heart that drives exceptional educational leadership with Dr. Laurie Dent, the 2024 Washington State Superintendent of the Year.  Dr. Dent unveils her playbook for guiding the Sumner-Bonney Lake School District to new heights, and how she's hit the home runs she has, including her steadfast commitment to the pursuit of a 100% graduation rate.

Dr. Dent delves into the meticulous use of student data as a compass for policy creation and underscores the value of empowering students' voices in shaping their own educational journey.

Finally, we explore the ripple effect of encouragement and the pivotal role of today's educational leaders in nurturing the leaders of the future. Who might you ignite with that spark of inspiration? Don't miss this enriching exploration into the ever-evolving landscape of educational leadership.

"Outliers in Education" is a project of CEE, The Center for Educational Effectiveness. Find out more at effectiveness.org.

Produced by Jamie Howell at Howell at the Moon Productions.

Jamie Johnson is out to foment a "rebellion against overwhelm" that threatens education in this country.

Educator, author, and coach Jamie Johnson left her work as a teacher so that she might have an even greater impact on education in this country. Her first salvo, a new book entitled "Teach and Still Have Time to Pee" is a serious take on tackling teacher burnout couched in entertaining tales from the front lines of education. Well-researched and wide-ranging, Johnson's work sets forth everything from practical hacks for educator well-being to proposals for moving education policy forward.

In this episode, Johnson advocates for a world where educators don't just survive the school year, but thrive in a more balanced, fulfilling career that improves student outcomes along the way.

Find out more about Jamie Johnson and her book at:
Amazon
Kindle version
Facebook
Instagram
Or reach out to her directly at [email protected] 

"Outliers in Education" is a project of CEE, The Center for Educational Effectiveness. Find out more at effectiveness.org.

Produced by Jamie Howell at Howell at the Moon Productions.

Laughter isn't just the best medicine, it may also be a pivotal part of a successful learning experience. In this episode we speak with big-bearded and gregarious Geoff McLachlan, founder of Professionals at Play and explore how the simple joy of play can prove rejuvenating both students and educators alike.

As the unstructured playgrounds of the past have been replaced with the excessively structured learning environments of today, we have lost our ability to play and, with it, much of the resilience once learned out on the playground, as well as many of the nurturing relationships developed there.

Join in as we discover how a sprinkle of humor coupled with a playful spirit can indeed pave the way for a robust, inclusive educational setting where being a good human is as important as being a good student.

"Outliers in Education" is a project of CEE, The Center for Educational Effectiveness. Find out more at effectiveness.org.

Produced by Jamie Howell at Howell at the Moon Productions.

Andre Wicks is the creative force behind EverydayPrincipal.com, an online platform designed to connect educators and administrators with the latest research, knowledge and best practices in the field of K-12 education. A seasoned principal himself, Andre knows what his colleagues are up against on a daily basis and offers inspiring and practical insights into nurturing relationships, sustaining a vibrant school culture, and striking that ever-elusive work-life balance. Above all, courageous principals who can stand strong in support of what's best for students are what's needed most.

Check out Andre's website and latest book at:

• EverydayPrincipal.com
• "What is Standing in the Way: The Journey of Becoming Your Best Self" on Amazon.com

"Outliers in Education" is a project of CEE, The Center for Educational Effectiveness. Find out more at effectiveness.org.

Produced by Jamie Howell at Howell at the Moon Productions.

The U.S. Surgeon General has officially declared loneliness a national epidemic, one that is more deadly than smoking, obesity and addiction. It is now estimated that living with a lack of social connection increases a person's risk of early death as much as smoking 15 cigarettes a day!

But there's a cure available - connection - and it can be administered in as little as seven seconds. On this episode of Outliers in Education, we speak with a pair of connection crusaders from the non-profit, Only7Seconds. Learn from Executive Director Luke Wall and recently retired superintendent Eric Driessen (from one of the outlier districts identified in CEE's Outliers Study) about how something as simple as a text message can alter the course of a young life and sometimes even save lives.

Established in 2019, Only7Seconds is taking the epidemic of youth loneliness head on through extensive outreach programs, podcasts, video series and their unique Connection Curriculum designed to equip, empower and inspire teachers and students to create the connections that can literally save their lives.

You can find out more about Only7Seconds at:
only7seconds.com 

Also from Only7Seconds:

• I Know Lonely Project - Videos, podcasts and written stories
• Connection Curriculum - A toolkit to inspire youth to make intentional connections

"Outliers in Education" is a project of CEE, The Center for Educational Effectiveness. Find out more at effectiveness.org.

Produced by Jamie Howell at Howell at the Moon Productions.

Is your school board in disarray? Tensions boiling over? Factions forming? Superintendent ready to jump ship? School boards across the country face unique sets of challenges daily. But one policy-based model known as Coherent Governance® maps out what its founder believes to be, "... the most 'user-friendly' system in the world for effective board governance."

Discover the power of Coherent Governance® in revolutionizing school board effectiveness in this enlightening conversation with guests Dr. John Steach from the Center for Educational Effectiveness (CEE) and Linda Dawson, founder of the Aspen Group and Coherent Governance®.

Also on this episode, CEE and the Aspen Group announce a new merger between the two companies as they combine to bring comprehensive support to school districts across the country.

Learn about this novel, yet universally accepted, approach to improving board performance, creating the foundations for trust, innovation and community involvement while curbing ego clashes among board members and paving the way to success for incoming superintendents.

Expect to gain a deeper understanding of how to navigate the complexities of board meetings and unravel the vital roles of board members and superintendents in shaping a conducive environment that puts student achievement at the forefront.

You can find out more about Coherent Governance® at aspengroup.org or through their books:

• Good Governance is a Choice: A Way to Re-Create Your Board - The Right Way by Linda J. Dawson and Randy Quinn
• The Art of Governing Coherently: Mastering the Implementation of Coherent Governance® and Policy Governance® by Linda J. Dawson and Randy Quinn

You can find out more about the Center for Educational Effectiveness (CEE) at effectiveness.org. 

"Outliers in Education" is a project of CEE, The Center for Educational Effectiveness. Find out more at effectiveness.org.

Produced by Jamie Howell at Howell at the Moon Productions.

What if quality education was accessible for every child, regardless of their socioeconomic background or race? Buckle up as we explore this intriguing question with Reid Saaris, the force behind the nonprofit Equal Opportunity Schools. With Reid’s unique insights, we illuminate the dark corners of educational inequality and the persistent underinvestment in students of diverse backgrounds, setting the stage for a compelling conversation about what might be done to move the needle on equity in education.

A candidate for the Washington State Superintendency, Reid has committed his career to helping school leaders provide all student an equal opportunity to achieve their dreams.  He is the author of "The Kids Across the Hall and the Fight for Opportunity in Our Schools," available HERE on Amazon.com

To connect with Reid, folks can find him on facebook, instagram, and linkedin. His campaign website is www.reid4waschools.com.

"Outliers in Education" is a project of CEE, The Center for Educational Effectiveness. Find out more at effectiveness.org.

Produced by Jamie Howell at Howell at the Moon Productions.