A bonus episode where I  read selected entries from Gwyneth Hagan's Substack microblog Starting Small. The episode explores how natural patterns like bubbles, chaos, and flow can serve as metaphors for transforming education from a factory model to a forest model. 

Gwyneth's work combines poetry, educational theory, and observations of nature to envision more organic, interconnected learning systems. The readings include reflections on finding joy in learning, embracing uncertainty, and accepting periods of withdrawal (what Hagan calls "snail mode") as natural parts of growth and change in education.

• The Joy of Learning from Bubbles 
• In Chaos & Flow
• How to start small when you are scared
• Snail Mode Acceptance and Emergence

#EducationTransformation #NatureBasedLearning #ForestModel #TeacherGrowth #ProfessionalLearning  #PatternsinNature #SustainableEducation #CollectiveLearning #EdLeadership #TeacherWellbeing #OrganicLearning #EducationEcosystem #TeacherPoetry #MindfulTeaching #LearningDesign #EducationalChange #TeacherReflection #HolisticEducation  #SystemicChange #TeacherAgency

When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.

In this episode, I speak with educator, designer, and facilitator Gwyneth Hagan about transforming education from a traditional factory model to what she beautifully describes as a forest model. Drawing on patterns found in nature, Gwyneth shares powerful insights about creating more organic, interconnected learning systems that honor both educators' and students' natural growth processes.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Moving beyond the factory model of education to embrace a more ecosystem-based approach
• How natural patterns like spirals, waves, and fractals can inform better learning design
• Why educators need to experience the same wonder-filled, permission-free learning they want to create for students

Gwyneth also shares her personal journey of incorporating poetry and natural observation into her professional work, challenging traditional boundaries between artistic and educational practices. The episode concludes with her moving poem "Small Things," which beautifully encapsulates her philosophy of taking time to notice and appreciate the smaller moments in learning and life.

Gwyneth's Substack, Starting Small  & Recommendations: 

• Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer 
• Design for Belonging by Susie Wise
• Emergent Strategy by adrienne maree brown
• Letters from the Future (of Learning) by Sam Chaltain

When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.

In this bonus episode of Schoolutions: Coaching and Teaching Strategies, I follow up on my conversation with Leah Mermelstein and Dr. Jennifer Gioia (S4E19) to explore critical aspects of educational support systems. The episode breaks down three main areas:

✨Recent developments in tutoring programs, including insights from a 2024 New York Times article (With Speech to Teachers, Harris Waded into a Fiery Education Debate) about Kamala Harris's education stance and challenges highlighted in The Hechinger Report (Students aren’t benefiting much from tutoring, one new study shows) about scaling tutoring effectively.
➡️P-3 Literacy Instructional best practices guide 

 ✨An in-depth exploration of John Sweller's Cognitive Load Theory and its practical classroom applications (Cognitive Load Theory: A Practical Guide And Tips For Teachers), including:

 ➡️The relationship between sensory, short-term, and long-term memory

 ➡️Understanding working memory's limited capacity (5-9 pieces of information for ~30 seconds)

 ➡️Practical tips for teachers to reduce cognitive load

 ➡️Strategies for students to optimize their learning environment

✨ An introduction to MagicSchool, a free AI tool for educators that offers:

➡️Rubric generation

➡️Automated feedback assistance

➡️Text-dependent question creation

➡️AI-resistant assignment development

➡️Creation of exemplar and non-exemplar responses

#EducatorPodcast #LiteracyEducation #StudentSupport #TeacherPD #ReadingInstruction #SchoolPsychologist #EquitableEducation #TeacherCollaboration #LearningSupport #OrthographicMapping #EducationalTeams #FamilyEngagement #InclusiveEducation #LiteracyCoach #ReadingSpecialist #StudentSuccess #SchoolLeadership #InterventionStrategies #teamworkmakesthedreamwork 

👉Check out my episode with Leah and Jen here:  (https://youtu.be/Yc-Gkq2zwhw)!

New episodes are released every Monday, with a bonus solo episode on Fridays featuring research-backed coaching and teaching strategies you can apply right away to better serve the children in your care.

When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.

🔔 SUBSCRIBE to never miss an episode of Schoolutions: Coaching & Teaching Strategies Podcast: 

https://www.youtube.com/@schoolutionspodcast/

& 👉Follow Schoolutions: Coaching & Teaching Strategies Podcast on social:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ol

When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.

In this episode, I sit down with literacy expert Leah Mermelstein and school neuropsychologist Dr. Jennifer Gioia to explore how educators can better support students who are "stuck" in their learning journey. Together, we unpack how schools can build effective support systems directly into their educational framework through three core elements: dedicated time for team dialogue, appropriate resources and curriculum, and shared knowledge of research-based practices.

The conversation delves into practical strategies for:

➡️breaking down educational silos 
➡️fostering family-school collaboration 
➡️ensuring equitable student support

Leah brings insights from literacy consulting and tutoring, while Jen shares perspectives on neuropsychological evaluation and empowering families with educational knowledge.

Join us for actionable strategies to create unified teams that support every student's learning journey while addressing both individual needs and systemic barriers.

Mentions: 

• S1E10: "We-Do" Writing: A Solution for Shaky Independence
• S2 E35: It's Time to Bend Curriculum & Create Our Own Integrated Units of Study
• Julie Wright - What’s Our Response
• New Jersey’s Intervention and Referral Services Committee (I&RS Committee)
• Orthographic mapping
• Sounds-Write: First Rate Phonics
• Cognitive load theory and individual differences
• With Speech to Teachers, Harris Waded into a Fiery Education Debate
• Students aren’t benefiting much from tutoring, one new study shows
• Ari Gerzon-Kessler - On the Same Team
• Making the Most of Team Time in Middle School
• LMC Literacy Toolkits

When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.

In this bonus episode I reflect on my S4E18 interview with Kalyn Belsha, a senior national reporter for Chalkbeat, focusing on Trump's campaign promise to dismantle the Department of Education and its potential impact on students with disabilities.

I break down Erica Meltzer's article about ending the U.S. Department of Education and share Kalyn’s valuable recommended resources for you to take action, including links to:
➡️the Senate HELP Committee,
➡️disability advocacy groups,
➡️and state-specific parent support organizations.

#Chalkbeat #SpecialEducation #IDEA #EducationPolicy #TeacherShortage #SpecialEd #Advocacy #StudentRights #DisabilityRights #SchoolStaffing #EducationEquity #TeacherSupport #ParentAdvocacy #CivilRights #EducationNews #SpecialEducationTeacher #ParaProfessional #SchoolPolicy #StudentServices #InclusiveEducation #EducationReform #K12Education

👉Check out my episode with Kalyn here!

New episodes are released every Monday, with a bonus solo episode on Fridays featuring research-backed coaching and teaching strategies you can apply right away to better serve the children in your care.

When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.

🔔 SUBSCRIBE to never miss an episode of Schoolutions: Coaching & Teaching Strategies Podcast: 
https://www.youtube.com/@schoolutionspodcast/

& 👉Follow Schoolutions: Coaching & Teaching Strategies Podcast on social:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-wahl-4300811a/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/schoolutionspodcast/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/schoolutionspodcast/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/olivia-wahl.bsky.social
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@schoolutionspodcast

Thank you for listening!

When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.

In this timely and crucial episode, I sit down with Kalyn Belsha, senior national reporter for Chalkbeat, to unpack the potential impacts of Trump's campaign promise to dismantle the Department of Education. We explore how this could specifically affect students with disabilities, from changes in civil rights complaint processes to funding distributions and staffing challenges. Kayln breaks down complex policy implications into clear, actionable insights, explaining how the shift could transform education from federal to state control. 

Our conversation covers critical topics for you, including:

➡️How civil rights complaints might shift from investigations to lawsuits

➡️The potential move to state-controlled block grants for education funding

➡️Current staffing shortages in special education and potential solutions

➡️The role of advocacy at state and local levels

Whether you're an educator, administrator, or caregiver, this episode offers valuable perspective on navigating potential changes while continuing to support students with disabilities. We conclude the episode with an uplifting discussion about educator resilience and the importance of supporting teachers during challenging times.

Episode Mentions: 

• Constance A. Lindsay 
• Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

Kalyn’s Recommended Resources:

• Senate HELP committee (senators to write to with suggested questions for Linda McMahon on serving children with disabilities)
• parent groups and organizations that support families of children with disabilities by state 
• National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) 
• The Center for Learner Equity 
• Special education staffing shortages put students’ futures at risk. How to solve that is tricky. By Kalyn Belsha | November 19, 2024
• Ending the U.S. Department of Education: What it would mean and why Trump and Project 2025 want it By Erica Meltzer | August 23, 2024
• Many young kids missed early special ed services due to COVID, compounding work for schools By Kalyn Belsha | May 24, 2023
• Educators see struggling students. After a pandemic year, do they need extra help or services for a disability? By Kalyn Belsha | September 1, 2021 

#Chalkbeat #SpecialEducation #IDEA #EducationPolicy #TeacherShortage #SpecialEd #Advocacy #StudentRights #DisabilityRights #EducationEquity #ParentAdvocacy #CivilRights #EducationNews #SpecialEducationTeacher #ParaProfessional #SchoolPolicy #StudentServices #InclusiveEducation #EducationReform #K12Education 

When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.

In this bonus episode, I reflect on my S4E17 conversation with educator Kass Minor and explore the urgent need for transformative education in 2025. I discuss The Minor Collective's community-based approach to education and highlight key insights from Kass's blog about preparing students for real-world challenges alongside revisions to the NYS Portrait of a Graduate. Drawing from recent research and a New York Times guest essay, Giving Kids Some Autonomy Has Surprising Results by Jenny Anderson and Rebecca Winthrop, the co-authors of The Disengaged Teen: Helping Kids Learn Better, Feel Better, and Live Better.  

I examine why student autonomy and agency are crucial for engagement and success. I share practical strategies for educators and caregivers to create learning environments where students can:

➡️develop essential life skills, 

➡️navigate diverse perspectives, 

➡️and pursue their curiosities while meeting academic goals. 

This episode offers a hopeful yet pragmatic vision for education that extends beyond traditional academics to help students thrive in an increasingly complex world.

#KassMinor #CorneliusMinor #TheMinorCollective #RadicallyProKid #TeachingFiercely #TeacherAgency #SocialJusticeEducation  #EdChat #Education #StudentAgency, #AuthenticLearning

When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.

Join me in conversation with educator and author Kass Minor as we explore the intersection of justice, joy, and transformative teaching practices. Kass, the author of Teaching Fiercely: Spreading Joy and Justice in Our Schools, shares powerful insights about creating inclusive classroom environments that honor students' whole selves while empowering teachers to trust their professional judgment.

Key topics include:

➡️Why teacher agency is critical for meaningful educational transformation

➡️The importance of integrating foundational teaching frameworks with justice-oriented practices

➡️ How somatic literacy and body awareness impact teaching effectiveness

➡️Using six-word stories as a powerful assessment tool

➡️Creating a curriculum that responds to student needs and community context

Drawing from her experience as a New York City Teacher and her extensive work in educational development, Kass offers practical strategies for building more equitable and joyful learning spaces. This conversation bridges theory and practice, offering you concrete ways to create classrooms where both teachers and students can thrive.

Whether you're a classroom teacher, administrator, or education advocate, this episode provides valuable insights for reimagining education through a lens of justice, community, and collective action. 

Some Episode Mentions: 

• Jonathan Haidt - The Anxious Generation
• Cinnamon Kills First 
• Gloria Ladson-Billings
• Vivian Maria Vasquez
• Leilani Mabrey

Kass’s Recommendations & Published Works:

• Teaching Fiercely: Spreading Joy and Justice in Our Schools 
• Increasing the Psychic Rewards of Teaching 
• Love as a Qualifier: Building Literacy Culture Across a School 

#TeachingFiercely #TeacherAgency #SocialJusticeEducation #EquitableEducation #CulturallyResponsiveTeaching #InclusiveEducation  #SomaticLearning #CommunityBasedLearning #TeacherLeadership #CurriculumDesign #StudentVoice #TeacherReflection #JoyfulLearning 

When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.

In this bonus episode of Schoolutions: Coaching and Teaching Strategies, I expand on my conversation with Jennifer McCarty Plucker, Ed. D. about book access and classroom libraries. Drawing from experts like Tammy Mulligan, Clare Landrigan, Towanda Harris, Cris Tovani, Kate Roberts, Donalyn Miller, Colby Sharp, and Molly Ness, I explore strategies for building effective classroom libraries, empowering students to create their own text sets, and ensuring equitable book access. 

You’ll learn about the importance of strategic partnerships, diverse representation in book selections, and community engagement in addressing book deserts. Essential listening for educators, librarians, and caregivers interested in fostering literacy development through thoughtful curation of reading resources.

Episode Mentions:

• S4 E16: Mackin Educational Resources: Digital Learning Platforms & Library Services with Jennifer McCarty Plucker, Ed.D.
• It’s All About the Books: How to Create Bookrooms and Classroom Libraries That Inspire Readers by Tammy Mulligan and Clare Landrigan
• The Right Tools: A Guide to Selecting, Evaluating, and Implementing Classroom Resources and Practices by Towanda Harris
• Why Do I Have to Read This? Literacy Strategies to Engage Our Most Reluctant Students by Cris Tovani
• The Heart of Fiction: Reading for Character, Theme, & Craft by Kate Roberts
• Game Changer: Book Access for All Kids by Donalyn Miller and Colby Sharp
• S3 E5: The Role of Read Alouds in the Science of Reading with Dr. Molly Ness
• End Book Deserts

#BookAccess #LiteracyEducation #ClassroomLibraries #TextSets #TeacherResources #StudentEmpowerment #BookDeserts #ReadingEquity #LiteracyDevelopment #EducatorPodcast #BookCuration #SchoolLibraries #DiverseBooks #TeachingStrategies #EdChat #Mackin

When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.

Discover how Mackin Educational Resources partners with educators to provide comprehensive support for classroom and library resources. In this episode, Jennifer McCarty Plucker, Ed.D., Director of Learning and Development at Mackin reveals invaluable free services and tools available to educators, including:

➡️Access to a catalog of over 3 million titles

➡️Expert help with curating classroom resources and text sets

➡️Free Storyteller Spotlight events featuring authors like Jeff Kinney

➡️Technical support for processing, barcoding, and labeling

➡️Digital integration through MackinVIA and MackinVision platforms

➡️Makerspace resources and hands-on learning materials

➡️Collection analysis services

➡️Family engagement resources

Perfect for teachers, librarians, and education leaders looking to save time and money while enhancing student engagement. Learn how Mackin's "let's find a way to yes" approach helps educators build diverse, standards-aligned collections that serve all learners.

Drawing on foundational research from John T. Guthrie and real classroom experience, this episode offers you practical solutions for getting quality materials into students' hands. Whether you're managing a school library, building classroom collections, or supporting family literacy initiatives, you'll discover tools and strategies you can implement right away.

Episode Mentions: 

• S3 E39: Using Inquiry to Inspire Lifelong Readers with Dr. Jennifer McCarty Plucker
• Engagement With Young Adult Literature: Outcomes and Processes by Gay Ivey, Peter H. Johnston 20 March 2013 https://doi.org/10.1002/rrq.46 or https://ila.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/rrq.46
• Teens Choosing to Read by Gay Ivey and Peter Johnston https://a.co/d/e4K9Q5s
• Mackin website and catalog: www.mackin.com
• Library Custom List Request form: https://search.mackin.com/list-request
• Classroom Custom Book List Request form: https://home.mackin.com/classroom/classroom-custom-book-list-request/
• Storyteller Spotlight: https://home.mackin.com/resources/storyteller-spotlight/ 
• To Reach Jen: jenniferplucker.com or MackinLearning.com

Jen’s Other Recommended Resources:

• Link to blog writing: https://mackinlearning.com/author/jennifer-mp/
• Link to order  Inspiring Lifelong Readers https://a.co/d/9xIeTUK
• Baiting the Reading Hook: https://ascd.org/el/articles/baiting-the-reading-hook

#EdChat #SchoolLibrary#LibraryLife #LibraryResources #Librarians #SchoolLibrarians #LibraryLove #Literacy #ReadingCommunity #LiteracyMatters  #EdTech #DigitalLearning #ELearning #TechInEd #ClassroomLibrary #TextSets #MakerSpace #ClassroomResou

When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.