Student Success Podcast & Blog by the A+ Club from School4Schools.com LLC ~ Tutoring & Academic Coaching

Feeding back: constant, comprehensive & positive feedback

Student Success Podcast No. 7, Nov. 6, 2013

Today’s Guest: none

Bromley discusses the essential process of feedback. Feedback is simple human interaction. And these interactions so define the teacher-student relationship.  Students will benefit from understanding their role in this relationship. And teachers, too, need to maintain positive, effective interactions with students.

Feedback, being communicating teacher expectations and assessments, is a critical part of teaching and learning, and the more constant, comprehensive, and positive it is the better students will responds. By positive we don’t mean only good news: but bad news needs to be delivered in a constructive, positive manner that engages student improvement rather than cutting it down.

Bromley reviews strategies and ideas for teacher feedback and how students and parents can engage this process.

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Topics Discussed

Feedback = human interactions

Feedback is constant

Every time teachers and students see each other there is feedback

Students and teachers need to engage in positive relationships

working on saying hello in the morning

Goal setting as driving force for positive interactions

information flow important for focus on goals

Positive feedback drives goal-setting

Positive feedback not necessarily about positive things

student choices based on good information

student choices rational not emotional

Raising student awareness

Setting expectations

Assessments as feedback

Effective feedback is constant and positive

Assignment reporting

Learning Process: learning is not grades!

grades measure something, but not necessarily learning

Additional Resources and Links

Learning Process Flowchart

Where do grades come from?

Learning = teacher expectations + student internalization of new knowledge

Grades = a measurement of something

the best grading measures learning

grading does not always measure learning (such as putting your name on the paper, etc.)

Credits

Host: Michael L. Bromley

Original Music by Christopher Bromley (copyright 2011, 2013)

Background snoring: by Stella

Best Dogs Ever: by Puck & Stella

Puck the hunting dog!

 Here for Puck & Stella slideshow

The A+ Club from School4Schools.com LLC, based in Arlington, VA, is dedicated to helping students across the U.S.A. meet their goals and find the academic success the want and deserve. Contact us here or call now  to (703) 271-5334 to see how we can help.

Parenting for Student Success with Dr. Kimberly Bradley

Show Notes

Student Success Podcast No. 6, Oct 30, 2013

Today’s Guest: Dr. Kimberly Bradley

Dr. Bradley discusses strategies for successful parenting of successful students. Dr. Bradley shares her personal experiences as a parent of three students, as an involved parent in her children’s schools, and her professional advice as an educator.

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Guest Biography:

Dr. Kimberly Bradley proves the old adage that the busier you are the more you get done. With a doctorate in Christian Education, a consulting firm focusing on technical training for industry and government, a pastor husband and three kids, Dr. Bradley served as President of the Parents’ Association of Archbishop Carroll High School.

Dr. Kimberly Bradley

It all started with one question: “How can I help?” Looking around, she concluded that Archbishop Carroll was much more than “just a school on a hill” — colleges and universities needed to learn more about students graduating from ACHS, and the students, in turn, needed to find out more about the world of higher education. So in 2007, Dr. Bradley was a founding member of a group that established a college fair at Carroll, inviting representatives from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and opening it to all local schools. Two hundred seniors attended. Three years later, the college fair has expanded to include a diversity of national universities, including Harvard, MIT, Dickinson, West VA University, Hood, Mount St. Mary’s and North Carolina A&T. Over 500 students from grades 9-12 attend from throughout the Metro area. Dr. Bradley is not surprised. She says, “Basically, we need to give our kids opportunity and we need to get our students to think about their future now.”

Dr. Bradley believes fervently in what Archbishop Carroll offers students. First is the academic experience. “Dr. Stofa and the educators here believe that the kids they teach can learn and they must be held to a high standard,” she explains. “The academic community at Carroll believes our children can do it, so they do.” Dr. Bradley also believes in the nurturing aspects of the school. “They love our kids, they support our families. They will assist in any way they can. Carroll has created an environment where all kinds of kids can thrive and grow.”

Dr. Bradley and her husband have three students in the Carroll family. Their son Daniel graduated in 2010. Second son Jeremiah graduated in 2011, and daughter Abigail is a member of the Class of 2014.

Topics Discussed

Congratulations to Abigail for making “Principles list,” the highest honor roll status

why?

Stays on top of h/w deliberate attention to her studies

At recent College Fair: students walking around hearing from colleges that demand a certain gpa

the limits of the gpa

parents always say it, but this is real!

Connecting long term goals to short term choices

long term rewards parents assisting:

taking kids to college fairs

Bromley insists that what parents say to kids matters Kids to listen

Have to prove what you know

can’t just get by being smart

have to do homework

Parents need support

Community raises children

Helecopter parents flying in to save life

Kim doesn’t do the over attentive mom:

the hard lesson child independence

don’t’ want 45 year old stay at homes! empower and equip our children to deal with their sistuations

Holding one’s own child accountable face your issues even a teacher that doesn’t likey mom won’t always be able to fly in to save you

trust but verify

Holding back letting children learn coping skills on their own

Imagining your child in 10-20 years: are you reinforcing that vision?

keeping that standard we hold for young children as they grow older

Relationships with schools and teachers

parents seeing themselves as consumers in relationship with scho[...]

Talent on the Sidelines: the Excellence Gap with Dr. Jonathan Plucker

Show Notes

Student Success Podcast No. 5, Oct 24, 2013

** Please also listen to the follow-up interview with Prof. Plucker, March 1, 2014:  Excellence Gaps and the national imperative for equity AND excellence **

Today’s Guest:  Prof. Jonathan Plucker, University of Connecticut

Prof. Jonathan Plucker discusses the just released study “Talent on the Sidelines:  Excellence Gaps and America’s Persistent Talent Underclass.” Prof Plucker shares his amazing insight on the need for educators and policy to address both equity and achievement for our students, as today’s focus on equity has left us with a tremendous “Excellence Gap” between socioeconomic and racial groups, and has left behind untapped talent among our lower performing groups.

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Guest Biography: Dr. Plucker received his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from The University of Connecticut in 1991, where he also received a master’s degree in educational psychology in 1992. After briefly serving as an elementary school teacher, he attended the University of Virginia, where he received his doctorate in educational psychology in 1995. After briefly teaching for two years at the University of Maine, he arrived at Indiana University in 1997 as a visiting assistant professor. He become a tenure-track assistant professor in 1998, with promotion to associate professor in 2001 and full professor in 2006.

Dr. Plucker has received a number of honors for his work. For his creativity work, he has received the Daniel E. Berlyne Award for outstanding research by a junior scholar (2001) and the Rudolf Arnheim Award for outstanding research by a senior scholar (2012) from Division 10 of the American Psychological Association, and the 2007 E. Paul Torrance Award for creativity research from the National Association of Gifted Children. For his gifted education research, he has received the NAGC Early Scholar Award (1998) and two awards from the Mensa Education & Research Foundation Award for Excellence in Research (1997 & 2000). For his education policy work, he was ranked in 2011 as one of the Top 100 most influential academics working in education policy.

Dr. Plucker is a fellow of the American Psychological Association (2009) and was named a Fellow of the American Associate for the Advancement of Science in 2011 “for distinguished contributions to the science of creativity and the creation of research-supported education policy.”

Topics Discussed

Achievement gaps: but minimum competency gaps

Minimal achievement is not helping — still losing talent

2010 Report the product of these questions: is anyone really considering wasted potential?

3 years work for this new report

Early years demonstrated excellence, but by 8th grade loses all advances

“Excellence gap” = measurement of differences in high level performance between

across minority groups: 2% achieve excellences… unfathomable… yet, this was an increase over previous measurements

Means huge pool of wasted talent

Critics impugn that these studies claim that excellence gaps are more important to close than minimum competency gaps: not so! : moral and ethical requirement to assist the lowest levels, but minimal competency should not be the sole policy focus

“Free and reduced lunch” defined

Impact of poverty on education

Opportunity gaps v. achievement gaps

Untapped talent

Not equity v. excellence: this is equity AND excellence

Bias towards reporting or testing results towards minimum competency and avoiding excellence gaps

Laws of unintended consequence

Example of special education: can be followed for excellence gap in policy

How to get more students performing at the highest level?

Next study: looking at state k-12 accountability and how each treats excellence. Currently , they either ignore excellence [...]

Teacher advice: asking the question with Mike Cahir

Show Notes

Student Success Podcast No. 4, Oct 16, 2013

Today’s Guest:  Mike Cahir

Mike Cahir shares with us the teacher perspective on how students can perform better at school by identifying and asking questions about assignments and class work. Mike highlights the crucial positive feedback-loop that a simple question can generate, helping the student identify areas for improvement and the teacher to know what should be focused on in class.

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Guest Biography:

Mike Cahir is an award-winning teacher of English and Department Chair at Archbishop Carroll High School in NE, Washington, DC. Mike has taught at the middle and high school level. He is expert in and dedicated to engaging students in reading and engaging text.

Topics Discussed

Formulating questions!

Best laid plans: time to reevaluate what you’re doing

learned failure: failure becomes its own excuse

Breaking the failure loop:

not a personal failure!

learning is making mistakes

Reaching out for help

Ask when you don’t understand!

Questions to learn what you need to know but also to clarify what you don’t know

Questions are feedback to teachers and then back to students

Advice to teachers: assume nothing teacher everything

Prior Knowledge and distinguishing between things: brain wiring

Applying information: negotiating

Have to go see your teacher to get your teacher’s attention!

Handing in crap

Developing the positive feedback loop

Additional Resources and Links

Mike suggests our listeners check out Origins Online for more on Developmental Design, Responsive Classroom, and Social/Emotional and Academic Learning.

Credits

Host: Michael L. Bromley

Original Music by Christopher Bromley (copyright 2011, 2013)

Background snoring: by Stella

Background construction noise: by American Chimney

Best Dogs Ever: by Puck & Stella

Here for Puck & Stella slideshow

The A+ Club from School4Schools.com LLC, based in Arlington, VA, is dedicated to helping students across the U.S.A. meet their goals and find the academic success the want and deserve. Contact us here or call now  to (703) 271-5334 to see how we can help.

Learning to learn & other great advice from two high school graduates

Show Notes

Student Success Podcast No. 3, Oct 9, 2013

Today’s Guests:  Diamond Williams and Vanai Latham

Diamond and Vanai offer on-point advice to high school students, parents, and teachers.

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Guest Biographies:

Diamond and Vanai graduated from Archbishop Carroll High School in June, 2012. Diamond is pursuing a degree in Communications from Trinity College, Washington, DC, and Vanai practices hair dressing in New York City and will pursue a business degree with hopes to open her own salon.

Vanai Latham, 2013

Diamond Williams, 2013

Diamond is running for Miss District of Columbia USA 2014, please like her FB page and spread the word!

Topics Discussed

looking back on high school

learning to learn: and never being taught how!

self-proclaimed adults in high school — not really, but they think s0!

what’s really needed: after school & weekend help and one-on-one attention

advice to teachers: pacing & slowing down, knowing your stuff

why reading is important

advice to students

Additional Resources and Links

NY State hair styling certificate requirements

Trinity University, Washington, DC, Communications Department

Let us know your questions and comments for Diamond and Vanai!

Credits

Host: Michael L. Bromley

Photos by Diamond Williams and Vanai Latham

Original Music by Christopher Bromley (copyright 2011, 2013)

Best Dogs Ever: by Puck & Stella

Two dogs, three chews…

Here for Puck & Stella slideshow

The A+ Club from School4Schools.com LLC, based in Arlington, VA, is dedicated to helping students across the U.S.A. meet their goals and find the academic success the want and deserve. Contact us here or call now  to (703) 271-5334 to see how we can help.

Bromley and students

A little background & who we are

Show Notes

Student Success Podcast No. 2, Oct 3, 2013

Today’s Guest: Michael Bromley, founder of School4Schools.com & The A+ Club

Bromley discusses the background and origins of our and philosophy and student support service.

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Guest Biography:

Before leaving the classroom in order to work directly with students, parents, and teachers, Michael Bromley taught Social Studies at Archbishop Carroll High School in NE Washington, DC for eight incredibly inspiring and happy years. Prior to that, Bromley built a successful export and distribution company based in Miami, FL, Asuncion, Paraguay, and Sao Paulo, Brazil. He is the author of two books, Stretching It: The Story of the Limousine and William Howard Taft: The First Motoring Presidency, 1909-1913, and many magazine articles on automotive and political history. Bromley loves history, cars, kids, and learning.

Topics Discussed

Bromley background

Discovering the student perspective

Students as clients

whole new perspective

now providing customer service is the priority

Syllabus as Contract

The Original A+ Club

starting in a World History classroom

student articulation is the key!

Additional Resources and Links

See Bromley’s guest entries on Rick Hess’ “Straight Talk” blog on edweek.com Aug2013 for ideas on approaching students as clients and focused PD for student benefit.

Credits

Host: Michael L. Bromley

Original Music by Christopher Bromley (copyright 2011, 2013)

Best Dogs Ever: by Puck & Stella

Puck& Stella Selfie

Here for Puck & Stella slideshow

The A+ Club from School4Schools.com LLC, based in Arlington, VA, is dedicated to helping students across the U.S.A. meet their goals and find the academic success the want and deserve. Contact us here or call now  to (703) 271-5334 to see how we can help.

Gaby’s Dinosaur Tree

Gaby’s Dinosaur Tree

Show Notes

Today’s interview: Gaby Bromley, student, Simmons College 

Guest Biography:

Gabriela Bromley,  Senior, Simmons College, Boston MA, Biopsychology Major.  Gabriela has worked in various hospitals and psychology wards since high school. She is fascinated by neuroscience and aims to apply her learning in real world situations to help others.

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Topics Discussed

Mindfulness and its five facets:

observing

describing

awareness

non judgment

non reactivity

Procrastination

Coping strategies

Conditioning

Setting priorities

Anxiety

 Thinking strategically

Critical Thinking through Art

visual thinking strategies

Homer’s Hunter and the Hound painting

Gaby’s Dinosaur Tree

Social emotional  learning: to discuss in the future

Additional Resources and Links

Gabriela shares the following links:

Mindfulness and Learning: What’s the Connection?

Visual Thinking Strategies: What’s going on in this picture?

Credits

Host: Michael L. Bromley

Dinosaur Tree photo: by Gabriela Bromley (copyright 2013)

Original Music: by Christopher Bromley (copyright 2011, 2013)

Best Dogs Ever: by Puck & Stella

Here for Puck & Stella slideshow

 

The A+ Club from School4Schools.com LLC, based in Arlington, VA, is dedicated to helping students across the U.S.A. meet their goals and find the academic success the want and deserve. Contact us here or call now  to (703) 271-5334 to see how we can help.