Teaching Gwinnett

A candid and revealing conversation with the Director of the Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale County Health Department, and Gwinnett County Public Schools’ Associate Superintendent of School Improvement and Operations. They discuss how COVID-19 is affecting the county and schools, address questions about the way GCPS shares information about positive cases with students and parents, and another edition of "Did You Know". 

Dr. Tommy Welch, former award winning Principal of Meadowcreek High School, is Gwinnett County Public Schools' first Chief Equity Compliance Officer. In this edition of Teaching Gwinnett, Dr. Welch discusses what equity is, why it's important and what his job entails. He also addresses questions from some about the way GCPS is going about ensuring equity is in place, and he talks about his exposure to inequities in public education at a young age.  We end the show with another addition of Did You Know.

The first episode of Teaching Gwinnett Season 2 (2020-21) features an interesting and revealing interview with Rebecca Carlisle, Gwinnett County Public Schools' 2020 Teacher of the year. The home grown Gwinnett County graduate is fun, engaging and passionate about teaching. Carlisle, who is a AP World History teacher North Gwinnett High School, discusses teaching during a pandemic, the challenges and rewards, what fuels her passion for teaching and how the pandemic has affected her time as the district's Teacher of the year. She also reveals who "boo'd" her the night she won the award and why, as well as why she passed on accepting a free, fast and good looking sports car! The episode ends with another addition of "Did You Know?"

On this edition of Teaching Gwinnett, we tackle Digital Learning. Dr. Jonathan Patterson, Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) Associate Superintendent of Curriculum and Instructional Support, stops by to discuss a number of topics including; eClass, what it is, how it works, and how the district’s online platform facilitates teaching and learning. He also breaks down what the school district is doing to ensures students not only have access to their school work, but complete it as well. And he answers the question, is digital learning the future of K-12 education? Then two GCPS educators join the show to discuss teaching during a pandemic. The creative ways they are using the district’s digital learning platform to educate and stay connected to students, and the challenges of virtual teaching. We end the show with another addition of “Did you know?”

On this edition of Teaching Gwinnett, Dr. Steve Flynt, Gwinnett County Public Schools Associate Superintendent of School improvement and Operations, talks about the district's response to COVID-19. Dr. Flynt touches on a wide range of topics including, how GCPS' digital learning platform has allowed teaching and learning to continue; why the district is feeding students and how it's being done; the reason behind bringing more employees back to schools; and plans for graduation and summer school. We close the show with another addition of "Did You Know?" 

On this special edition of Teaching Gwinnett, we talk to Meadowcreek High School's Cicely Lewis, the 2020 National Librarian. Mrs. Lewis, who is also Gwinnett County Public Schools Media Specialist of the Year and the Georgia Media Specialist of the year, talks about her award winning and world renown Read Woke program, its origins, how it works and its impact on students. She also touches on her childhood in Mississippi, how her mother sparked her passion for books and reading and the benefits and challenges of digital learning. We close out the show with another addition of "Did You Know?"

On this edition of Teaching Gwinnett, James Rayford, Janice Warren and Nury Crawford stop by to discuss Gwinnett County Public Schools Community Based Mentoring Program. Mr. Rayford kicks off the conversation detailing the history of the program, how it's impacted the lives of African American boys and what it takes to be a mentor. Ms. Warren discusses the girls priority, growing the program, success stories and her biggest challenge. Ms. Crawford touches on the Hispanic priority, bridging the cultural divide to build the program and plans for the future. We finish the show with another edition of "Did You Know?"  

On this edition of Teaching Gwinnett, Karen Hallford, the Director of Gwinnett County Public Schools' award winning School Nutrition Program, drops by to talk about the district's breakfast and lunch menus. From locally sourced fruits and vegetables to offering healthy low fat and reduced calorie menu options, this is not your parents school lunch menu. Mrs. Hallford discusses the importance of having a professional chef on staff, creating health and delicious menu options and pop up restaurants. We end the show with another addition of "Did You Know."

In this episode of Teaching Gwinnett, we explore how the decision is made on whether to close schools because of inclement weather. Who makes the call, when is the decision made, and what factors are considered in the decision making process.