Schoolin' Around

By Schoolin' Around by Branching MindsBusiness Education Non-Profit

Schoolin' Around episodes

May 30, 2023 Reflecting on Your MTSS Practice with Karen Castle
Karen Castle, veteran educational leader and Executive Director of Professional Learning at Branching Minds, offers wisdom about wrapping up the school year and questions for leaders to reflect on their MTSS practice.
We also dive into the idea that “Remembering Your Why” is not sufficient with the why and the how of making school transformation.
Karen is the Executive Director of Professional Learning at Branching Minds, where she leads a team of education consultants to provide guidance and support to schools and districts, as they implement Branching Minds and improve their MTSS practice. Prior to Branching Minds, Karen spent 12 years building a national professional development program for Amplify Education, a leading company in the education technology space. Prior to her work in the Edtech space, Karen served as curriculum director, principal, and teacher for several school districts in the North Texas area for 23 years. Karen holds an M.Ed. from the University of North Texas and a Superintendent’s Certification from the University of Texas at Arlington.
Check out this blog for more from Karen:
https://www.branchingminds.com/blog/5-questions-you-should-be-asking-about-your-mtss
Learn more about MTSS and Branching Minds by visiting our website Branchingminds.com, or Sign up for our weekly newsletter on all things MTSS with this link. (https://hubs.la/Q02g9lwV0) Don’t forget to follow and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn @BranchingMinds.
39 min
May 16, 2023 School Transformation Begins with the Adults ft AJ Crabill
The guest for this episode, AJ Crabill, advocates for taking risks to find a better way to improve schools and support students. AJ Crabill believes that “Student outcomes don't change until adult behaviors change.”
In this conversation with AJ, we talk about his work in helping improve schools and helping schools create student-led restorative circles. Restorative practices focus on resolving conflict, repairing harm, and healing relationships. It is an overarching term referring to strategies that help build community in ways that treat humans with dignity and respect.
AJ Crabill serves as Conservator at DeSoto, Texas ISD. During his guidance, DeSoto improved from F ratings in academics, finance, and governance to B ratings. He’s also Faculty at the Leadership Institute of Nevada and Director of Governance at the Council of the Great City Schools. He served as Deputy Commissioner at the Texas Education Agency and spearheaded reforms as board chair of Kansas City Public Schools that doubled the percentage of students who are literate and numerate. Crabill is a recipient of the Education Commission of the State's James Bryant Conant Award.

Learn more about MTSS and Branching Minds by visiting our website Branchingminds.com, or Sign up for our weekly newsletter on all things MTSS with this link. (https://hubs.la/Q02g9lwV0) Don’t forget to follow and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn @BranchingMinds.
38 min
May 02, 2023 Using Early Warning Indicators to Support Students with EWI Expert Sarah Frazelle
Part of any good system of support isn’t just reacting to student needs but also being proactive in supporting students at risk. Intervening early can be the best way to prevent students from missing out and falling further behind.
One way would be to utilize Early Warning Indicators, such as attendance, behavior, and class grades. These are helpful indicators for identifying students that may need support in the future and allow educators to intervene before a student needs more intense support.
In this episode, we talk with Sarah Frazelle, a researcher in Early Warning Indicators. We talk about why getting systematic support is necessary and why teachers might have difficulty taking attendance.
Sarah Frazelle is the Director of Early Warning Indicator Systems and MTSS for the Puget Sound Education Service District in Seattle, WA. She has been working on Early Warning Indicator Systems since 2012. In that time, she's moved from the analysis of early warning data to coaching school, district, and state agencies on how to implement these systems most effectively. She has helped support a variety of districts, from small rural districts in Montana to large urban districts like Portland, Oregon, and across multiple states.
Resources:
Puget Sound Educational Service District- https://www.psesd.org/
Article: https://www.branchingminds.com/blog/mtss-in-tracking-and-supporting-student-attendance
Guide: https://www.branchingminds.com/mtss-tier-2-behavior-intervention-guide
Learn more about MTSS and Branching Minds by visiting our website Branchingminds.com, or Sign up for our weekly newsletter on all things MTSS with this link. (https://hubs.la/Q02g9lwV0) Don’t forget to follow and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn @BranchingMinds.
41 min
April 18, 2023 How MTSS Can Support Positive Behavior With School Psychologist, Trudy Bender
Recently it has been reported that more than 80 Percent of U.S. Public Schools say the pandemic has negatively impacted student behavior and socio-emotional development.
Our guest today is the perfect person to give us some insight into how the system and school culture can help teachers with these issues. Trudy Bender previously served as the Coordinator of District Behavior Intervention for the Waco Independent School District, where she facilitated the implementation of a Multi-Tiered System of Supports for Behavior, including initiatives to improve school climate and connection, provide effective Tier 2 and Tier 3 behavior intervention programs, and coordinate wrap-around services and transitional support for students in alternative disciplinary settings.
Not only that, but she built a multi-year sequence of teacher training in classroom management, behavior intervention, and peer coaching to help build capacity and collaboration among teachers.
Now, she is Branching Minds MTSS Content Manager. But she still serves the state of Texas as a Restorative Discipline Facilitator. Trudy is a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology and a Nationally Certified School Psychologist.
Quotes:
"So often we wanna chase down where the problems are rather than chasing down where is the student succeeding and how can we multiply and build on that in other contexts. And in behavior, that's really important. If there is a place where that student is finding success, if you can figure out who they're connected to and what kind of structure provides success for them, then you can often bring some of those elements into other places in the school where they're not being as successful."
"Behavior is becoming more challenging. But so is our understanding of those behavior challenges and the tools and resources that we have to address those challenges. And MTSS is like the engine that's driving that, that's driving that response to behavior challenges."
Resources:
• A Tier 2 Behavior Intervention Guide: https://www.branchingminds.com/mtss-tier-2-behavior-intervention-guide
• MTSS Platform Buyer’s Guide: https://www.branchingminds.com/mtss-platform-buyers-guide
Check out us out:
• Learn more about MTSS and Branching Minds by visiting our website Branchingminds.com
• Sign up for our weekly newsletter on all things MTSS with this link. (https://hubs.la/Q02g9lwV0)
• Don’t forget to follow and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn @BranchingMinds.
36 min
April 04, 2023 Connecting MTSS Best Practices to Education Policy with Abigail Woodworth and Yoni Doron
Now more than ever, a spotlight is being shined on our education system. Requiring states to make decisions to help support educators. Schools, teachers, and students need help. In this episode, our two guests are working to connect and build relationships with policymakers, researchers, and those who can help change the system for better student outcomes.
Abigail Woodworth, VP of Communications at Branching Minds, and Yoni Doron, Branching Minds Chief Strategic Partnership Officer, have been a part of the company since the beginning and have seen how important it is to help schools and districts not only individually but at the policy level.
Abigail Woodworth, VP of Communications, is a seasoned communications professional with over two decades of experience developing and implementing comprehensive communication strategies that drive organizational growth, building and leading successful teams, and enhancing reputation, reach, and revenues of companies. Prior to joining Branching Minds, she served as VP of External Affairs at the Legal Action Center; VP of Public Affairs at the Treatment Research Institute; and occupied senior management roles at the University of Pennsylvania and The Johns Hopkins University. She earned a BA and an MS in Social Policy from the University of Pennsylvania.
Yonatan Doron is the Chief Strategic Partnership Officer at Branching Minds, where he focuses on developing and maintaining long-term relationships with organizations and institutions that further the mission of Branching Minds. Yonatan has been part of the Branching Minds team since 2013, helping the organization expand to over 30 states and serving over 1.5M students nationwide. Prior to Branching Minds, Yonatan worked at the Aspen Institute in Washington, DC, and at the Joyce Foundation in Chicago, IL. Yonatan received his MPP from the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago and B.A. from SUNY Geneseo.
Learn more about MTSS and Branching Minds by visiting our website Branchingminds.com, or Sign up for our weekly newsletter on all things MTSS with this link. (https://hubs.la/Q02g9lwV0) Don’t forget to follow and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn @BranchingMinds.
33 min
March 21, 2023 MTSS + Tech = Magic: Solving Educators’ Pain Points With Emily-Rose Barry, VP of Product
Often, as a teacher using educational technology, I had frustrations about its uses in the classroom, its functionality, and its purpose. I wish I had known our guest back then to discuss how to make technology work FOR me, not against me.
In this episode, we talk with Emily-Rose Barry, the VP of Product at Branching Minds. Much like many of our guests, her journey began in the classroom as a student wondering how learning worked. Our conversation covers her accidental journey to her current role and how technology assists educators in doing their job better.
Emily-Rose Barry has worked in Education Technology in roles overseeing Product and Customer Success for the past ten years. Before joining the world of agile software development, she taught reading and writing at every level, from early childhood to college, administered special programs for an adult literacy nonprofit, and published short fiction and poetry as a freelance writer. She co-founded ProductTank Buffalo, a local community for networking and professional development.
Learn more about MTSS and Branching Minds by visiting our website Branchingminds.com, or Sign up for our weekly newsletter on all things MTSS with this link. (https://hubs.la/Q02g9lwV0) Don’t forget to follow and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn @BranchingMinds.
37 min
March 07, 2023 How Student Wellness Impacts Academic Outcomes With Dr. Essie Sutton
Recent research around students’ mental and emotional health has revealed a dire need for educational professionals to do something to help. More than 15% of students have had a depressive episode in this last year. And many parents believe their students would benefit from mental health assistance.
Our guest today, Dr. Essie Sutton, an applied developmental psychologist, has made it her job to learn more about how social-emotional learning and mental health support can actually help students. In this episode, we discuss how teachers use evidence-based practices in the classroom, the need for a deeper understanding of student wellness, and what she is learning from her work.
Essie Sutton is an Applied Developmental Psychologist and the Director of Learning Science at Branching Minds. Her work brings together the fields of Child Development and Education Psychology to improve learning and development for all students. Dr. Sutton is responsible for studying the impacts of the Branching Minds on students’ academic, behavioral, and social-emotional outcomes. She also leverages MTSS research and best practices to develop and improve the Branching Minds platform.
Learn more about MTSS and Branching Minds by visiting our website Branchingminds.com, or Sign up for our weekly newsletter on all things MTSS with this link. (https://hubs.la/Q02g9lwV0) Don’t forget to follow and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn @BranchingMinds.
38 min
February 21, 2023 Academia Meets K-12 Edtech: A Personal Journey of Chief Product Officer Dr. Eva Dundas
Have you ever thought about how you can think different thoughts and how your brain works? Beginning from childhood, this week’s guest loved to think about how people think. Dr. Eva Dundas and I sat down to chat about how a Dr. of Developmental and Cognitive Psychology became a Chief Product Officer for an Edtech company.
We dive into how she went from being an academic research scientist to seeking a role to apply her knowledge and see research in action. I was most excited to talk with her about why learning science isn’t what some may believe it to be and why teachers should be called Learning Engineers.
Dr. Dundas is the Chief Product Officer of Branching Minds, where she pursues her mission to bridge the gap between the science of learning and education practice. At Branching Minds, she develops ways in which teachers can use technology to bring evidence-based strategies and practice into the classroom. Dr. Dundas is widely recognized as a visionary in the fields of developmental cognitive psychology and education technology. Dr. Dundas has a Ph.D. in Developmental and Cognitive Psychology from Carnegie Mellon University, where she conducted research on how the brain develops when children acquire visual expertise for words and faces. Her research also explores how the relationship between neural systems (specifically language and visual processing) unfolds over development and how those dynamics differ with neurodevelopmental disorders like dyslexia and autism. She has published articles on that subject in the Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, Neuropsychologia, Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, and Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. Dr. Dundas also has an M.Ed. in Mind, Brain, and Education from Harvard University; and a B.S. in Neuroscience from the University of Pittsburgh.
Learn more about MTSS and Branching Minds by visiting our website Branchingminds.com, or Sign up for our weekly newsletter on all things MTSS with this link. (https://hubs.la/Q02g9lwV0) Don’t forget to follow and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn @BranchingMinds.
35 min
February 07, 2023 Always a Learner: Transition From Teacher to EDTech CEO With Maya Gat Part 2
The best leaders are the ones that know they can’t be an expert at everything. They often continue to learn and seek out other experts to join their team.
In this episode, Part 2 of our conversation with former educator turned Edtech CEO, Maya Gat shares how she continues to lean into the idea of humility and the power of learning. She expands on how she is always a learner and how she translated her skills as a teacher to her role leading a company.
Maya is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Branching Minds, where she focuses on building partnerships with districts and product design. She has spent 17 years working with children, youth, and adults as an educator in various capacities both inside and outside of the school system. She has previously taught young children ages 2-3, and students in grades 2-4 in New York City. Maya has also taught English and Mathematics internationally to children, teenagers, and adults in Istanbul, Turkey, and has written math curriculum in Jerusalem, Israel. She led youth advocacy groups in Pennsylvania and directed after-school programs in California, Florida, and New York. Ms. Gat received her M.S. in Childhood and Early Childhood Education from Sarah Lawrence College. She also holds a B.A. in Urban Studies and Fine Arts from the University of Pennsylvania.
Quotes:
"But I think that for me, the goal is not mastery, the goal is learning, the goal is growth, not attainment, and so it always feels fulfilling to me. I try to find power in vulnerability. I try to find joy in awkwardness. To be a learner is to be at the beginning of that learning journey."
"The same things that allow me that allowed me to create an effective classroom community are the same things that allow me to create an effective organizational community."
Learn more about MTSS and Branching Minds by visiting our website Branchingminds.com, or follow and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn @BranchingMinds. Sign up for our newsletter: https://hubs.la/Q02g9lwV0
24 min
January 24, 2023 “Why Not Me?" Transition From Teacher to EDTech CEO With Maya Gat Part 1
Every compelling story has an unlikely hero, someone on an adventure to solve a problem, find a treasure, or save the day. For this episode, we have the privilege of hearing one of these great stories. Former teacher Maya Gat shares with us how she became the CEO and Co-Founder of Branching Minds. This episode is part one of the conversation. We cover where it all started, her journey to be a teacher, and what has continued to compel her in her work today. Tune in for part two in a few weeks!
Maya is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Branching Minds, where she focuses on building partnerships with districts and product design. She has spent 17 years working with children, youth, and adults as an educator in various capacities both inside and outside of the school system. She has previously taught young children ages 2-3, and students in grades 2-4 in New York City. Maya has also taught English and Mathematics internationally to children, teenagers, and adults in Istanbul, Turkey, and has written a math curriculum in Jerusalem, Israel. She led youth advocacy groups in Pennsylvania and directed after-school programs in California, Florida, and New York. Ms. Gat received her M.S. in Childhood and Early Childhood Education from Sarah Lawrence College. She also holds a B.A. in Urban Studies and Fine Arts from the University of Pennsylvania.
Learn more about MTSS and Branching Minds by visiting our website Branchingminds.com, or follow and connect with us on Twitter or Facebook @BranchingMinds. Sign up for our newsletter: https://hubs.la/Q02g9lwV0
33 min

About Schoolin' Around

From the publisher's feed

Schoolin' Around is a weekly podcast hosted by Branching Minds, featuring prominent leaders, subject-matter experts, and thought innovators with their perspectives on the current challenges facing K-12 education.