Jess Davis is a mathematics teacher and advisor of the Black Pride Organization at South Saint Paul Secondary School. In being named 2019 Minnesota’s Teacher of the Year, she was described as an educator who is “modeling for students that equity needs to be deliberate and intentional.” 

Jess possesses an educational philosophy deeply rooted in student agency. She believes student voice is an essential cornerstone often missing in the revolution of our educational system.

She holds a Bachelors of Science in Human Biology from Minnesota State University Mankato, and a mathematics teaching license and Master’s in Teaching from Hamline University.

Brian Woodland has 30+ years in school PR and is a passionate advocate for public education. He recently retired as Director of Communications and Community Relations for the Peel District School Board, one of Canada’s largest school districts. 

Brian now consults with school districts and speaks to audiences across North America through his communications firm, BrianInspires. In this episode, he talks to us about discovering our inner superhero and our public education needing the very best you.

Dr. Lisa Snyder is the executive director for EdVisions, a non-profit educational development organization focused on innovation through personalization, teacher and student empowerment and student-driven, project-based learning. 

 

Dr. Snyder has served in public education as a teacher, principal, technology director, curriculum director, and superintendent. Throughout her career, she has been a champion for innovative change and transformational improvement and is highly regarded for her instrumental role in creating new opportunities for student-centered learning.

You know how to edit together videos, but they are taking too much time and not turning our the way you want. 

 

In this Spotlight episode, Captivate team members Jake Sturgis and Jenna Mead take you beyond the basics and present 9 video editing hacks to be more efficient and effective in the way you craft video content.

 

 

As mentioned, here's the 9 Video Editing Hacks powerpoint presentation and the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan Public Schools story example.

Jason Wheeler is the Marketing Coordinator for the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District in Texas, with 15 plus years experience in public education. 

In this episode, Jason outlines a new approach to recruiting quality teachers, specifically millennials, who now make up the largest workforce in the country. Within just a year of using these dynamic marketing techniques, CFBISD doubled their teacher applications.

You can find out more about Jason’s marketing philosophy and social media thoughts on his website at www.jasonawheeler.com

Jason Bucklin is the Out4Good Program Coordinator for Minneapolis Public Schools. With over 15 years of experience in LGBTQA+ youth advocacy, Jason has overseen the development and implementation of gender inclusive policies both at MPS and across Minnesota. 

In this episode, Jason explains how LGBT inclusion work is gender equity work. All of us perform gender every day. Therefore, if we make our spaces inclusive to LGBTQA+ people, we make them more inclusive to all of us. We also cover inclusive curriculum ideas and policy for K-12 schools in order to create a safe and supportive environment for all learners.

Sheridan and Maxien are students class of 2021 at Brooklyn Center Middle & High School STEAM. A small suburban school district located on the northwest border of Minneapolis. In this episode, we hear from the student perspective on topics like testing, teacher relationships, and gender and racial equity. 

We met Sheridan and Maxien earlier this year as we partnered with BCCS on a project called Voices of Tomorrow. Like many districts in Minnesota, Brooklyn Center’s teaching staff does not reflect what its student body looks like. Voices of Tomorrow provides a framework for schools to enter into constructive conversations about diversity, inclusion, student engagement and achievement.

Curt Slater is Minnesota’s 2018 National Distinguished Principal and currently leads by example at Wyoming Elementary in Forest Lake Area Schools. Curt is seen as a pioneer among state educators in using Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). Over the last 15 years, He's worked with more than 400 schools and trained thousands of educators on PBIS. 

 

In this episode, Curt gives us a glimpse into many aspects of the PBIS framework, including the role of parents and how to gain buy-in from staff members on yet another school initiative.

In this Spotlight episode, Captivate Media team members Nick Barr and Andrew Coons join Jake and Jenna to talk about a recent project for the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan Public Schools that had a huge impact on social media. This video for Teacher Appreciation Week went viral with over 100k views in 48 hours and was picked up by Kare 11 to be shown during their Breaking the News segment. 

 

The team reflects on how the project came about, what the goals were for a video of this nature, the challenges that were presented, and how storytelling and heart played an integral part of the entire production process.

Vaughn Dierks, AIA | LEED AP, is a partner with Wold Architects and Engineers with more than 25 years of educational design experience and expertise. As a partner-in-charge for school districts across the state and region, Vaughn is a leader in the educational design industry as well as in the firm’s Educational Planning Group. 

 

Dierks is passionate about furthering the development and design of spaces that transform how we think about educating the next generation of learners.