Schurtz and Ties: A podcast about education and culture

When Josh Tovar prepares for the day, most everyone is still asleep. When he pulls into the parking lot, he enters a school packed full of cultures, differences, and diverse learning needs. He also has a school full of similarities: students and teachers who need to be seen.

And he meets them all where they're at.

In this episode, Mr Tovar brings his wisdom and experience into the discussion and shares with us how to connect with all students, support and encourage staff, and celebrate the best part of public education: the diversity of humanity.

Josh Tovar is the principal at Memorial Pathway Academy in Garland ISD, Texas. He actively engages with students and the community through various social media platforms:​

He also shares insights on educational leadership through platforms like the Principal Project and has been featured on podcasts such as Leaning Into Leadership.

Show Sponsors: Schurtz and Ties is a proud partner with⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TeachBetter.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: "The Teach Better Podcast Network is dedicated to supporting the entire school ecosystem through in-depth conversations around topics you care about. Covering a variety of areas in education, each podcast aims to support educators in the field toward creating and maintaining a progressive, student-focused classroom."

Please reach out and let us know your thoughts or share a topic:

X: @SchurtzandTies

Gmail: [email protected]

#DoGreatThings and #KeepKnocking

March Madness may be over, but on the Schurtz and Ties show, the chaos continues!

In this episode, Brian and Kasey invite Mr. Jedd Hefer back on to help them work through what impacts our classrooms and student behaviors the most.

- Ep 81: "Stay a teacher." Wisdom on Behavior Engagement with Jedd Hefer- Ep. 94: We're in the dark ages of behavior management. Scott Ervin brings the light.You can discover more about Scott, Jeff, and all that they are doing at Ervin Educational Consulting.

Show Sponsors: Schurtz and Ties is a proud partner with⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TeachBetter.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: "The Teach Better Podcast Network is dedicated to supporting the entire school ecosystem through in-depth conversations around topics you care about. Covering a variety of areas in education, each podcast aims to support educators in the field toward creating and maintaining a progressive, student-focused classroom."

Please reach out and let us know your thoughts or share a topic:

X: @SchurtzandTies

Gmail: [email protected]

#DoGreatThings and #KeepKnocking

Time alone does not build culture. Cancelling PD does not support teachers. It may make teachers happy, but in the long run, canceling PD does not encourage teachers or ensure student success.

In this episode, Brian and Kasey work through a set of criteria for purposeful professional development. Namely,

• Does it point us to better instruction?

• Does it move us closer to our school/district goals?

• Does it build community?

If the answer is no, don't cancel PD! Make it better.

Here's how:Dos and Don’ts:

• Celebrate publicly, rebuke privately. 
• Work on a task together - don’t preach.
• Have accountability 

Reminders:

• Authenticity trumps Perfection
• Say things that come true- that are true.
• Tell stories. 

Show Sponsors: Schurtz and Ties is a proud partner with⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TeachBetter.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: "The Teach Better Podcast Network is dedicated to supporting the entire school ecosystem through in-depth conversations around topics you care about. Covering a variety of areas in education, each podcast aims to support educators in the field toward creating and maintaining a progressive, student-focused classroom."

Please reach out and let us know your thoughts or share a topic:

X: @SchurtzandTies

Gmail: [email protected]

#DoGreatThings and #KeepKnocking

Jennifer Abrams is an "international educational and communications consultant for public and independent schools, universities and non-profits," and in this episode, she brings profound wisdom, tangible strategies, and deep insight into how we can have hard conversations better. - Have you had a clarifying conversation?

- Are you using power over another, or for another?

- Do you want to be right? Or effective?

- Are you suspending your certainty?

- Do you have a SCARF mindset?

- Are you clenching your butt cheeks?

You can find out more on Jen Abram's website or read her work, here.

Show Sponsors: Schurtz and Ties is a proud partner with⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TeachBetter.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: "The Teach Better Podcast Network is dedicated to supporting the entire school ecosystem through in-depth conversations around topics you care about. Covering a variety of areas in education, each podcast aims to support educators in the field toward creating and maintaining a progressive, student-focused classroom."

Please reach out and let us know your thoughts or share a topic:

X: @SchurtzandTies

Gmail: [email protected]

#DoGreatThings and #KeepKnocking

There are few educational leaders like Principal Kafele. His wisdom, experience, insight, and strength are unmatched, and his message is on point.

He recently published his new book, What Is My Value Instructionally to the Teachers I Supervise? In this episode, Mr. Kafele shares insights about the book, thoughts around the book, and practices that should permeate our schools, hallways, and classrooms.

Topics including, but not limited to:

- The importance of Principal Voice

- Developing school culture through instruction, not discipline

- The power of asking good questions

- The role (and struggle) DEI and Equity within schools

Connecting with Principal Kafele:

You can purchase his new book on Amazon or one of his many others from his website, principalkafele.com.

You can connect with Principal Kafele on a variety of platforms:

Email: [email protected]

Youtube: @APandNewPrincipalsAcademy

X: https://x.com/principalkafele

Show Sponsors: Schurtz and Ties is a proud partner with⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TeachBetter.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: "The Teach Better Podcast Network is dedicated to supporting the entire school ecosystem through in-depth conversations around topics you care about. Covering a variety of areas in education, each podcast aims to support educators in the field toward creating and maintaining a progressive, student-focused classroom."

Please reach out and let us know your thoughts or share a topic:

X: @SchurtzandTies

Gmail: [email protected]

#DoGreatThings and #KeepKnocking

We've been together now for just under three years, and we are excited to celebrate this milestone with you!

In this episode, Brian and Kasey spend a short time celebrating the moment but then spend the hour chatting about teachers, teacher struggles, and the well-being of educators.

Throughout our educational career, we will carry three boxes, in and out of our schools and classrooms:

Box 1: The box of hopes and dreams

Box 2: The boxes of burden and responsibilities

Box 3: The box of purpose - did it matter?

Using a variety of real-time teacher reflections, Brian and Kasey walk through their words and struggles and offer some feedback of encouragement and action.

Show Sponsors: Schurtz and Ties is a proud partner with⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TeachBetter.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: "The Teach Better Podcast Network is dedicated to supporting the entire school ecosystem through in-depth conversations around topics you care about. Covering a variety of areas in education, each podcast aims to support educators in the field toward creating and maintaining a progressive, student-focused classroom."

Please reach out and let us know your thoughts or share a topic:

X: @SchurtzandTies

Gmail: [email protected]

#DoGreatThings and #KeepKnocking

Get your mind and pen ready!

In this episode, Julie Schell takes us on a journey full of depth, purpose, and insight—walking us through how we think, encouraging us to feel the pinch of empathy, and clarifying the powers of purposeful AI use.

Julie Schell is the Assistant Vice Provost of Academic Technology, Director of the Office of Academic Technology, Executive Director for Instructional Continuity, Innovation, and Accreditation, and Assistant Professor of Practice Design at the University of Texas at Austin.

She's also a pretty fantastic guest and we are so thankful for her time and expertise.

Guidelines for AI use:

- Keep the human in the loop -

- Intelligent Interrogation - be thoughtful about the prompt

- Judgment Integration - judge the output

- Reciprocal Apprenticeship - provide persona, objective, and guided outcome. Be nice!

Show Sponsors: Schurtz and Ties is a proud partner with⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TeachBetter.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: "The Teach Better Podcast Network is dedicated to supporting the entire school ecosystem through in-depth conversations around topics you care about. Covering a variety of areas in education, each podcast aims to support educators in the field toward creating and maintaining a progressive, student-focused classroom."

Please reach out and let us know your thoughts or share a topic:

X: @SchurtzandTies

Gmail: [email protected]

#DoGreatThings and #KeepKnocking

Educators are burning out. Quickly. But we don't have to! Nor do we have to overhaul our entire teaching practice.

In fact, with a few minor changes, we can thrive! And so can our students.

In this episode, Rae Hughart pulls back the curtain a bit, revealing a few simple truths about why teachers are struggling and, more importantly, what they can do about it.

Rae Hughart is the CEO and Founder ofTeachers Deserve It, a TEDx Speaker, educator, and author of Teachers Deserve It and Teach Better. She is also a fantastic guest.

If you're a teacher, this episode will speak to your heart and encourage your soul. It will also provide tangible and simple solutions to improve your daily teaching life.

Show Sponsors: Schurtz and Ties is a proud partner with⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TeachBetter.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: "The Teach Better Podcast Network is dedicated to supporting the entire school ecosystem through in-depth conversations around topics you care about. Covering a variety of areas in education, each podcast aims to support educators in the field toward creating and maintaining a progressive, student-focused classroom."

Please reach out and let us know your thoughts or share a topic:

X: @SchurtzandTies

Gmail: [email protected]

#DoGreatThings and #KeepKnocking

Did Maslow get it wrong? Does writing poetry make us brave? Are we needlessly nailing ourselves to the cross?

Maybe.

In this episode, Brian and Kasey discuss educational phrases and mindsets, work through a few powerful quotes, and discuss if Maslow should consider giving up the title of GOAT.

If you have any that you'd like us to (re)consider, let us know!

Ideas and Quotes worth (re)Considering:

- Be data-informed, not data-driven

- Don't find a problem for every solution, lest you become the problem, not the solution.

- "Let me know if you need anything."

- Get down from your cross. We could use the wood

- Maslow is an idiot (according to Kasey)

- “Does writing poetry make you brave? It is a good question to ask. I think making anything is a brave thing to do. Not like fighting brave, obviously. But a kind that looks at a horrible situation and doesn’t crumble. Making anything assumes there’s a world worth making it for.” - Everything Sad is Untrue, by Daniel Nayeri

Show Sponsors: Schurtz and Ties is a proud partner with⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TeachBetter.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: "The Teach Better Podcast Network is dedicated to supporting the entire school ecosystem through in-depth conversations around topics you care about. Covering a variety of areas in education, each podcast aims to support educators in the field toward creating and maintaining a progressive, student-focused classroom."

Please reach out and let us know your thoughts or share a topic:

X (Twitter): @SchurtzandTies

Gmail: [email protected]

#DoGreatThings and #KeepKnocking

We don't have to travel far to find someone who is struggling. Be it a student, fellow teacher, neighbor, or friend, at some point, in some way, everyone will be asked to endure hard times. Often, we try and do it alone.

In this episode, Kasey and Brian chat with Chris Gonsalvez - a teacher, administrator, and PD leader who is passionate about working with schools to create cultures where 100% take care of 100% - and discover a handful of tangible strategies that ensure we take care of ourselves and those around us.

Chris holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, Bachelor of Education in Mathematics Education and a Masters of Science in Information Technology Management. He gets excited about hands-on learning and connecting with teachers to support student learning.  He can be reached at [email protected]

Show Sponsors:Schurtz and Ties is a proud partner with⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TeachBetter.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: "The Teach Better Podcast Network is dedicated to supporting the entire school ecosystem through in-depth conversations around topics you care about. Covering a variety of areas in education, each podcast aims to support educators in the field toward creating and maintaining a progressive, student-focused classroom."Please reach out and let us know your thoughts or share a topic:X (Twitter): SchurtzandTiesGmail: [email protected]#DoGreatThingsand#KeepKnocking