Schurtz and Ties: A podcast about education and culture

"No savant has ever changed the world," David Epstein writes in Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World.

Generalists, however, have. And do.

Yet, in our classrooms and schools - in our quest to raise children as best we can - we strive for greatness, hustle towards the 10,000 hours, and applaud those who reach the podium. We celebrate the savant and overlook the jack who has dabbled in all trades and mastered none.

We should be doing the very opposite.

In this episode, Kasey and Brian discuss the importance of Smart Thinking - the act of accumulating a range of knowledge and learning how best to apply it in various contexts, as well as provide a few simple strategies for implementing Range of Knowledge into our classrooms and schools.

Quotes from Range:

Suggested Strategies:

Consider a student who can’t write . . . they're trying to navigate TWO mediums rather than simply showing what they know - content specific. 

Scott Irvin is widely known as The Kid Whisperer, He is also the author of the Classroom Behavior Manual⁠ and strongly believes we are in the dark ages of behavior management.

Fortunately, he has a plan.

- Use your Argument Shield.

- Make an ESPN Greeting (Eye Contact, Smile, Physical contact, call them by Name) habit.

- Establish your role as the Friendly Loving Alpha.

- Calmly hold kids accountable in a realistic way, and delay the learning opportunity.

- Share control - provide students the opportunity for choice.

You can discover mor about Scott and all that he is doing at Ervin Educational Consulting or listen to more Ask the Kid Whisperer episodes.

References:

- Adam Grant's "Work Life" Podcast: Improving teen mental health with Lisa Damour

- "Stay a teacher" with Jedd Hafer

The Truth About Reading is an "eye-opening documentary film from Emmy-winning director Nick Nanton" that attempts to reveal the truth about reading and the failure of public schools to teach it.

In this episode, Brian and Kasey ask the two stars of the film,

Are our habits smart? Are they truly helpful?

Are we acquiring high-quality knowledge or simple knowledge? And how do we know?

Then, and most importantly, are we able to use it?

The answers may not be as easy as we think.

In this episode, Brian and Kasey chat with Dr. Markman and discuss his new book, Smart Thinking: Three Essential Keys to Solve Problems, Innovate, and Get Things Done.⁠

Smart Thinking: Three Essential Keys to Solve Problems

1. Develop Smart Habits

2. Acquire High Quality Knowledge

3. Use High Quality Knowledge When Needed

Few people have made a dent in the academic universe like John Hattie. In our brief conversation, it is easy to see why.

In this episode, Kasey and Brian chat with John Hattie about sports, Visible Learning, what it means to be a threat to the academic model, and much much more.

- Schools have data but struggle to see it.

- Educators give feedback, but is it received, heard, and actionable?

- Are students/staff listening to your words or emotions?

Episodes Referenced:

- Ep. 57: The meaning of conducting, with Jim Papoulis

Dr. Brad Gustafson is a celebrated and award winning elementary principal, speaker, and author. He recently published his latest work, Overcoming Education: Complex Challenges, Difficult People, and the Art of Making a Difference.

In this episode, Kasey and Brian walk with Brad through the complex challenges of education through the lens of the question, "Who do I want to be?"

Episodes Referenced:

- Ep 31: Education is a Wicked Problem, which means it is impossible to solve. We tried anyway.

Entertainment and manipulation, although low-hanging fruit that can easily change behaviors, are not true engagement. They're wolves.

In this episode, using Amy Berry's Continuum of Engagement, Kasey and Brian work through the disguises of engagement, discuss their pros and cons to learning, and offer tangible solutions for educators to lead students into higher levels of engagement.

Continuum of Engagement:

Before learners learn, they need to feel safe and sound.

Before teachers teach, they need create a space that IS safe and sound. And we do so by building personal connections.

- Enter with empathy. Say, "This isn't going to be easy, but we can get through this together."

- Avoid sarcasm. It's destructive and unkind, disguised with a smile.

- Respect the imbalance of power. You are the teacher.

- Share control . . . cautiously.

- Be a believer. Always hope.

- Be interested in your students. Ask questions.

- Care for their dignity. Remember who you are. Emotion-less.

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Being a teacher is unique. The struggles are real and the weight of responsibility overwhelming. Especially when tasked with doing "whatever it takes" for our students and schools.

In this episode, Brian and Kasey discuss the unintentional manipulation of such phrases, play out their implications, and provide alternative perspectives that can provide educators a more healthy balance of life, work, and responsibility. Such as:

- Forget the students

- Seven minutes. No more, no less.

- Suck at your job

Grab your notes, sharpen you pen, and buckle up! In this episode, we take off quick and cover a TON of beautiful ground.

John Almarode is an associate professor of education and the Executive Director of Teaching and Learning in the College of Education at James Madison University, and in this episode, he brings the intellectual boom.

In just over an hour, Mr Almarode walks us through the land of Engagement with the help of Continuum of Engagement, arguing for Generative Learning, and breaking down Smart Thinking, and much much more.

We hope you enjoy the ride! Don't forget to drink your coffee.

Types of Engagement

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