Concepts like student-centered learning, personalized learning, and self-paced learning can be nebulous, hard to define, and encapsulate a variety of subtopics and concepts. In this episode we’ll hear how Eastern York School District made their vision of “modern” teaching and learning a reality through the use of clear, undersatndable progressions.

Doug Enders is the Assistant Superintendent of the Eastern York School District in rural Pennsylvania. He brings over 25 years of experience in education, having served as a high school teacher, elementary principal, and district leader. He earned his undergraduate degree from Messiah University and his doctorate from Shippensburg University. Doug’s doctoral research explored Carol Dweck’s work on growth mindset and how intentional messaging can shape student and school success. Doug is passionate about organizational culture, parent/family engagement, and most importantly, supporting the growth and success of all students and educators.

Resources

Modern Teacher

Progression of Modern Teaching and Learning at Eastern York School District

League of Innovative Schools

Discourse is not just a fundamental skill for science, it’s a fundamental skill for learning in any subject area. Discourse in science, though, has some special considerations and caveats. Tune in for a conversation about why discourse is so critical in the science classroom and the big and small things teachers can do to support student discourse.

Kara Olewiler is a secondary science educator with 22 years of experience at Conewago Valley School District. 15 of these years were dedicated to middle-level science education with the most recent time at the high school teaching various biology and earth science courses. She holds a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction and is currently pursuing her administrative certificate. Kara is passionate about fostering meaningful learning experiences and supporting the growth and success of both students and educators.

Resources

Talk Science Primer

Communicating in Scientific Ways Chart

AST Discourse Primer

Discussion Planning Tool

Discussion Tools and Ideas from OpenSciEd

Questioning is a great way to probe student thinking and drive students toward a more accurate and complete explanation of science concepts. Listen in for a conversation on how to build the culture and climate needed for questioning by the teacher to lead to thinking by the students.

Carrie Lankford currently serves as her district's K-12 STEELS Implementation Coach at Red LionArea SD. Over 18 years she has been a 7th grade science teacher, 4th grade and 2ndgrade teacher. Her undergraduate degrees from Slippery Rock University-Environmental Education and Elementary Education serve her well as she integrateslearning from, about, and within the outdoors. She currently serves as the PennsylvaniaSouth Central Environmental Literacy Hub Leader and is a 2024-2025 NOAA BWETGrantee. Her Master's in Educational Leadership and role as a writer for the PA STEELSstandards contributed to the role she is in now where she works to support teachers,involve community members and environmental partners, and (re)ignite students'interest in the natural world.

Resources:

OSE DQB Resource

Edutopia Article

"The Value of Asking Questions" - National Library of Medicine

"Intentional Questioning to Promote Thinking and Learning" - Science Direct

Ambitious Science Teaching

Science notebooks are an important tool for learning in the science classroom. In this episode we discuss how science notebooks can be used to support student thinking and discourse in a storylined unit of instruction as well as help students adopt a practice from the world of professional science.

Val Stone is the Assistant Director of Advancing Science, Gettysburg College’s K-12 science outreach program. She brings over 20 years of experience in K-Gray education, with a focus on making science accessible and engaging for learners of all ages. Val specializes in helping teachers and students explore science and nature through hands-on investigations in their own schoolyards and local communities.

Resources:

Wild Wonder Foundation

California Academy of Science - Setting Up Your Science Notebooks

Dot Journals from Amazon

Val’s Nature Journaling Session Slides