Swimming Upstream

Engaging Education Stakeholders and Providing Relevance with Debbie Critchfield

In this episode of Swimming Upstream, Debbie Critchfield, the Superintendent of Public Instruction for the state of Idaho and a former member of the Idaho State Board of Education, joins the show. Her vast role is to run the state's public school system and implement the state Board of Education policies.

Debbie described how she plans to prioritize listening in her approach to awareness and understanding of education issues while offering equal opportunities for all students across Idaho. She also explained the importance of providing meaningful professional development for teachers beyond the finances.

Listen in to learn how she’s looking to provide relevance for high school students to jumpstart their professional lives.

What You Will Discover:

• 00:00 Episode Begins

• 03:39 Why Debbie is prioritizing listening and understanding people’s issues in education.

• 06:00 The discussion around offering equal opportunities for rural Idaho students.

• 07:48 How Debbie plans to deal with challenges and engage parents and teachers.

• 10:00 The importance of providing meaningful professional development for teachers.

• 12:17 How she’s looking to provide relevance for high school students to gain experience.

• 14:24 The plan to engage stakeholders to improve the science of reading.

• 15:55 Debbie on her plan for the next few weeks before taking office.

Connect with Debbie:

Website: https://debbie4idaho.com/

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PODCASTS

🎧 Capital Class with Adam Giery: https://www.strategosgroup.com/podcast

🎧 On the Clock with Todd Dallas Lamb: https://www.strategosgroup.com/podcast-on-the-clock

🎧 Swimming Upstream with Tom Luna: https://swimming-upstream.captivate.fm/listen

🎧 On Balance with Dr. Rod Berger: https://www.strategosgroup.com/podcast-on-balance

Produced by Old Soul

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#educationmanagement #educationleadership #education

In this episode of Swimming Upstream, we have Manny Diaz, Commissioner of Education in Florida. He is a lifelong educator, having begun his career in education as a teacher and an administrator.

Manny explains Florida’s efforts in improving education after the pandemic's interruption to growth. He also explains how they’re using the science of reading to improve early literacy and build a foundation for students.

Listen in to learn how Florida is investing in preparing students for the workforce by shortening the runway to get there.

• 00:00 Episode Begins

• 01:46 Manny’s career background in education and his journey to becoming a commissioner.

• 02:52 How Florida is looking to continue leading in its impact in education.

• 04:26 The efforts they’re putting to progress in education after the pandemic interruption.

• 07:48 How to improve the science of reading in the formational years of students.

• 10:31 The multiple pathways Florida is looking into to curb the teacher shortage.

• 12:24 How they’re investing in preparing students for the workforce easily.

• 13:54 How they’re working on expanding parental options in their children’s education.

• 15:15 The benefits of expanding the school choice options for students and parents.

Connect with Manny:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manny-diaz-jr-47463b55/

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/senmannydiazjr

Produced by Old Soul

Using Data to Improve Education with Aimee Guidera

In this episode of Swimming Upstream, we have Aimee Guidera, the Secretary of Education in Virginia. She oversees education from Pre-K through Postsecondary in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Aimee describes how they’re using the information to identify where the education system is in Virginia and what they’re going to change to get different results. She explains how they support and empower parents, teachers, and students to engage, work together, and deliver results.

Listen in to learn the critical role of parents in their children’s lives, especially the education they consume.

What You Will Discover:

• 00:00 Episode Begins

• 02:57 How Aimee uses her experience to change the culture and utilize data in education.

• 04:52 How Virginia uses data to see and expand educational opportunities for every child.

• 07:13 How to support and empower parents, teachers, and students to work together.

• 09:11 The ways Virginia is engaging and reaffirming parents’ critical role in their kids’ lives.

• 13:15 How they’re dealing with the teacher shortage by removing barriers and offering support.

• 18:31 The power of having data creates urgency and changes the education system's crisis.

• 19:22 Aimee’s hope in executing students, parents, and teachers’ partnership in the next year.

Connect with Aimee:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aimee-guidera-27a2646/

Produced by Old Soul

Improving Education Through Sound Policy Making with Kirsten Baesler

In this episode of Swimming Upstream, we have Kirsten Baesler, the State School Superintendent and Administrator of the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction. A position she has held since 2012 and has been reelected twice. She has more than 30 years of education advocacy experience and is committed to working with families to provide each child with the resources they need to reach the highest levels of success.

Kirsten discusses the three things she’s focused on accomplishing: providing creativity, flexibility, and autonomy in schools through policy, investing more in early childhood education, and closing the gap for minority students. She also explains the changes they’ve made to allow students to be more fluid and to have a mastery-based way of learning.

Listen in to learn the importance of being courageous and having community backing as an education leader when swimming upstream.

“To be able to have that constant community backing is swimming upstream.”- Kirsten

What You Will Discover:

• 00:00 Episode Begins

• 01:28 Her experience working with two governors.

• 03:54 The input needed to accomplish her three main goals to improve education.

• 06:22 The changes made to allow students to take ownership of their learning.

• 09:53 The courage it takes for education stakeholders to swim upstream.

• 11:52 How to build a bridge between home and school by investing in early education.

Connect with Kirsten on LinkedIn

Hi, I’m Tom Luna, I am a former school board member, and I was privileged to serve as a Senior Advisor to US Sec of Education Rod Paige. I also had the honor of serving for 8 years as Idaho State Superintendent of Public Instruction, during that time, I also served as the President of the Council of Chief State School Officers.

One thing I have learned, in all these experiences, is that educating children is not rocket science, it’s more complicated.

On my podcast, Swimming Upstream, we will visit with courageous leaders who challenge the prevailing tide and inspire all of us to swim against the current.

Let’s jump in.

About Our Host

Tom Luna was elected Idaho State Superintendent of Public Instruction in 2006 and served two terms during which Idaho passed arguably the most comprehensive education reform laws in the country. While serving as State Superintendent, Tom was elected President of the Council of Chief State School Officers, an organization made up of all 50 state chiefs. In 2009 Tom was appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Education to the National Assessment Governing Board.

Links

Connect with Tom on LinkedIn

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Produced by Old Soul