SEL in EDU

Have you ever questioned how gendered rules and implicit biases shape our education system? Today, we're joined by Jason Ablin, an accomplished author and educational expert with over three decades of experience, to unpack this topic. His book, The Gender Equation in Schools, illuminates the issue of gender equity in education. During our conversation, Jason shares his journey from recognizing his biases to becoming an advocate for change.

Unmasking the often overlooked challenges boys face in education, we dive into the intersection of gender, race, and education. Jason details firsthand experiences and insights, revealing how conflicting messages about identity, the miseducation of sexuality, and a lack of safe spaces amplify these challenges. Together, we explore the trend of deteriorating boys' performance in schools and the urgent need for conversations to address these pervasive issues.

Jason guides us through the transformative possibilities of education when we resist gender binaries. He shares the significance of creating gender-inclusive spaces, fostering resilience, and the often underestimated potential of leveraging students' strengths to liberate them from societal norms. Our conversation is a call to arms for educators, caregivers, and all constituents in education to disrupt conventional systems and work towards a more equitable future. Tune in for a critical and empowering discussion that may redefine your perspective on gender equity in education.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

• Connect with Jason via his website, blog, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
• Get your copy of Jason’s book: The Gender Equation in Schools: How to create equity and fairness for all students

Can music truly transform our lives and the world of education? Join us in a heartfelt conversation with our inspiring guest, Sean Gaillard, a school leader, author, and podcaster, as we uncover the powerful connection between music, wellness, and authentic leadership. With his vast experience in instructional leadership, school culture, and his love of music, Sean offers valuable insights that will resonate with anyone seeking personal growth and connection.

Explore the profound role of mentors, music, and leadership in shaping our lives as we dive into Sean's journey of self-discovery and growth. We also discuss how he uses his podcast to connect with fellow principals who may feel isolated and the incredible power of music as a universal language. Hear our favorite songs and the stories behind them, and be inspired to reflect on your own musical journey.

Discover the importance of being your authentic self in education and how that can lead to meaningful connections with others. By the end of this episode, you'll be reminded of the importance of family, community, and self-expression - the gifts and gems in this life. So tune in and let the music play as we embark on this enlightening and soulful journey together.

Episode Resources:

• Connect with Sean: Twitter, Instagram, Principal Liner Notes Podcast, Email
• Read this book: The Pepper Effect: Tap into the Magic of Creativity, Collaboration, and Innovation

Imagine building a school culture where genuine care and open conversations are at the heart of everything. How can we foster these essential relationships in education? Join us as we sit down with Dr. Sam Varano, Principal of Souderton Area High School, who shares his 18-year journey in creating such a caring culture. From respectful dialogue in politics to overcoming leadership challenges, let's explore the key ingredients for success.

Sam's emphasis on vulnerability in leadership has paved the way for honest conversations about sensitive topics. Discover how he empowers staff and students alike to engage in peaceful and purposeful dialogue, fostering an inclusive environment. We also dive into valuable resources like books The Culture Code and Think Again, which offer insights on opening our minds and collaborating more effectively.

Lastly, we touch on the importance of courage, humility, and confidence for successful leadership. Sam's unique approach to recognizing talent, granting autonomy, and embracing mistakes has transformed his school while nurturing trust and strong relationships with staff.  Tune in to this enlightening episode and learn from Dr. Sam Varano's wealth of experience and wisdom.

Imagine a world where you could simplify your teaching methods, embrace the art of minimalism, and still deliver a top-notch educational experience. Sounds too good to be true? Join us as we chat with international educators and authors Tammy Musiasky-Borniman and Christine Arnold to uncover the secrets behind their groundbreaking book, The Minimalist Teacher.

In our conversation, we journey through the nuances of international education, the importance of adaptability, and how minimalism can reshape our professional and personal lives. Tammy and Christine share their experiences of living in different cultures, finding balance in their lives, and the crucial role of purpose, prioritization, and paring down. We also examine the urgent/important matrix as a powerful tool to help you focus on what truly matters.

As we wrap up, we reflect on the profound impact of minimalism and self-care in our lives and encourage you to explore The Minimalist Teacher for yourself. So, why not gift yourself the opportunity to transform your teaching and life? Listen in, embrace the change, and stand in the light with us on this enlightening episode.

Connect with Tammy and Christine:

• Tammy: Website, ASCD Column, Twitter, Instagram, LinkTree
• Christine: Website, ASCD Column, Twitter

How can educators create meaningful conversations in the classroom and tackle challenging topics like race? We had the pleasure of speaking with two phenomenal teachers and authors, Matthew K and Jennifer Or, who share their insight on fostering open dialogue with students. As passionate educators, both of them have written books that focus on leading conversations in an inclusive and respectful manner, ensuring that students get the most out of their classes.

Our conversation delves into the diverse demographic of Matthew's school in Philadelphia and the importance of understanding boundaries as teachers. We discuss the need for safe spaces in the classroom and the power of reflection in creating these spaces. Jennifer and Matthew also share their experience co-authoring their book "We're Going to Keep on Talking," which aims to lead meaningful race conversations in elementary classrooms, and the personal motivations behind their collaboration.

As the discussion progresses, we touch on the importance of having conversations about race and racism with young people and how to provide a safe space for them to learn from each other. Jennifer and Matthew emphasize the importance of knowing when to draw the line in engaging in conversations about race and the significance of self-reflection for educators. Tune in to this engaging episode with our esteemed guests, Matthew K and Jennifer Or, and discover ways to develop meaningful conversations in your classroom.

Connect with Matthew Kay and Jennifer Orr:

• Matt: Website, ASCD column, Twitter, 
• Jen: Website/Blog, ASCD Column, Twitter

Be sure to read their books:

• Not Light, But Fire: How to lead meaningful race conversations in the secondary classroom
• We’re Gonna Keep On Talking: How to lead meaningful race conversations in the elementary classroom (co-authored with Jennifer Orr)

Episode Highlights:

• Working with ambiguity through the golden rule of improv that honors everyone’s contributions via collective storytelling and the iterative development of ideas
• Setting the environment and building the capacity of educators to innovate
• Leveraging the “experience economy” for developing agency and personalization of learning
• Embracing the idea that there is more than one way to get an answer - and that answer is based on the "non-zero mentality"

Episode Resources:

• Connect with Mike on LinkedIn and Twitter
• Check out the books that Mike recommends: 
  • Where Good Ideas Come From: The Natural History of Innovation by Steven Johnson
  • Disrupt: Think the Unthinkable to Spark Transformation in Your Business by Luke Williams

Episode Highlights:

• Working smarter to accelerate our workflow and regain time capital
• Intentionally leveraging technology as part of the thinking and learning processes
• Maintaining social emotional learning skills while integrating technology
• Connecting ChatGPT and generative artificial intelligence to creativity and engagement in the classroom

Episode Resources:

• Connect with Monica: [email protected], Website, Instagram, and Twitter
• EdTech Essentials: The Top 10 Technology Strategies for All Learning Environments (ASCD)
• Tasks Before Apps: Designing Rigorous Learning in a Tech-Rich Classroom (ASCD)
• Class TechTips: ChatGPT Replay
• Class TechTips: Chat GPT Book

Episode Highlights: 

• Cultivating positive identity within ourselves and students
• Separating the mistake from our identity
• Reframing negative self-talk into opportunities and new actions
• Introducing wellness into the climate and culture 

Episode Resources:

• Connect with Jessica on Twitter
• Read Jessica's articles:
  • Promoting Educator Well-Being: What Is a District to Do? (ASCD Express)
  • Improving Lesson Planning with Pre-Work (EL Magazine)

Episode Highlights:

• Shifting our mindsets to focus on student advocacy
• Exploring the three types of equity advocates and 
• Acknowledging the privilege of a social network for support, guidance, and resources
• Strengthening classroom connections through tweaks in language, invitations to converse and participate, and student interests

Episode Resources:

• Connect with Dr. Sheldon Eakins via Instagram, Twitter, and his Website

Episode Highlights:

• Be the Flame process - Sparking, Kindling, Igniting, Stoking, Catching, Fueling, Spreading… Ablaze! to foster relationships and community
• Striving for greatness and demonstrating leadership
• Building trust in small moments, through actions, and over time
• Examining the collectivist and individualistic mindsets in the U.S. educational system
• Explicitly introducing a common SEL language into the learning experience and associating it with prior knowledge

Episode Resources:

• Connect with Shane on Instagram and Twitter
• Purchase Shane’s book: Be the Flame: Sparking Positive Classroom Communities