Teaching Matters

Teaching Matters

By WOUB Public MediaEducation
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Teaching Matters episodes

  • Alyssa’s Law and School Safety
    In this episode, listeners meet Lori Alhadeff, founder of Make Our Schools Safe, and Will Fullerton, Senior Vice President of Governmental Affairs at CENTEGIX (https://www.centegix.com). Lori discusses how the Parkland, Florida, school shooting resulted in the death of her daughter and led to the founding of Make Schools Safe. The organization promotes safety cultures in schools and advocates for Alyssa’s Law to be passed in each state. Will discusses the effectiveness of wearable “panic buttons” for teachers and school staff as well as the status of Alyssa’s Law nationwide. You can learn more information about Make our Schools Safe at: https://makeourschoolssafe.org
    29 min
  • Sheldon ISD’s Approach to Reducing Absenteeism
    In this episode of Teaching Matters, Scott interviews Juan Duenas, the Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services at Sheldon ISD, about the challenges of chronic absenteeism in schools, particularly in the wake of COVID-19. They discuss the importance of attendance, the role of the SchoolStatus platform in monitoring and improving student attendance, and the strategies employed by Sheldon ISD to engage parents and support students. Duenas emphasizes the need for effective communication, cultural sensitivity, and tailored incentives to encourage attendance across different age groups. The conversation highlights the collaborative efforts of teachers, administrators, and parents in addressing absenteeism and fostering a supportive educational environment
    36 min
  • Supporting the Student-Athlete: A Conversation with Chris Stewart
    In this conversation, Scott and Chris Stewart delve into the significant role sports play in education and personal development. They explore Chris's journey from a passionate athlete to a dedicated coach, discussing the emotional challenges of coaching, the importance of individual player development, and the lessons learned from both playing and coaching. The conversation highlights the transformative power of sports in shaping character, teamwork, and resilience in young athletes. Additionally, he provides an overview of his podcast, Coaching Life, which addresses various aspects of youth sports and the experiences of coaches, parents, and players. You can also find Chris’ books on Amazon.
    49 min
  • Unlocking Growth Mindset: Insights from Karen Atwell
    In this conversation, Scott and Karen Atwell explore the concept of growth mindset, its importance in education and the workplace, and how emotional intelligence plays a crucial role in personal and professional development. Karen shares her journey into consulting, the significance of lifelong learning, and the impact of remote work on interpersonal relationships. They discuss the need for empathy, effective communication, and critical thinking skills in fostering a growth mindset among students and professionals alike. For more information about Karen, you can visit her LinkedIn profile or the Dynamic Perspectives website.
    44 min
  • Improving Math Learning through AERDF’s Math + EF Program

    In this podcast episode, Scott engages with Adam Smith and Jeannette Franklin to discuss the mission of the Advanced Education Research and Development Fund (“Air-Diff”) and its EF + Math program. They explore the importance of inclusive research and development in education, particularly focusing on executive function skills in math learning. The conversation highlights the challenges students face in developing these skills, especially in the context of trauma and inconsistent teaching. They also delve into the R&D cycle of the EF Plus Math program, showcasing real-world applications like the Mathematical Thinkers Like Me project, which empowers students and educators alike. The episode concludes with a forward-looking perspective on revolutionizing education through inclusive practices and collaboration. You can learn more about AERDF and EF + Math through the following websites.

    AERDF: https://aerdf.org

    EF + Math: https://aerdf.org/programs/ef-math/

    40 min
  • Reconceptualizing Class Participation as Skill Building
    In this conversation, Dr. Alana Gillis discusses the significance of class participation in education, emphasizing its role in enhancing student learning and engagement. She explores the inequalities present in educational systems and how they affect student participation. Dr. Gillis proposes a redefinition of participation as a skill set rather than a mere attendance metric, advocating for a structured approach to assess and develop these skills. The discussion also covers the mechanics of goal setting in participation, the transfer of skills learned in the classroom to other contexts, and the successful implementation of her model in middle school education. For more information about Dr. Gillis’ research, please visit her blog post discussing these topic.
    42 min
  • The Importance of Teacher Family Communication: A Discussion with SchoolStatus

    In this episode of Teaching Matters, Scott Titsworth engages with Russ Davis and Dr. Kara Stern, both of SchoolStatus, to discuss the critical role of communication in education, particularly between teachers, students, and families. They discuss a research report recently released by SchoolStatus identifying specific opportunities for improving communication as well as ways in which SchoolStatus offers potentially effective solutions.

    Report Link: https://www.schoolstatus.com/resource/download-engagement-trends-in-school-family-communications?utm_medium=pr&utm_source=newswire&utm_campaign=survey_pitch&utm_term=report

    48 min
  • Promoting Skilled Trades in Schools
    In this episode of Teaching Matters, Scott Titsworth speaks with Jeremy Oskins, an automotive and robotics teacher at Comanche ISD in Texas. They discuss the increasing demand for skilled tradespeople, the innovative curriculum Jeremy has developed to engage students in automotive training, and the partnerships he has built with local businesses to provide real-world experience. Jeremy shares insights on the barriers preventing students from entering skilled trades and emphasizes the importance of hands-on learning and creating opportunities for students to explore their interests in technical fields.
    33 min
  • Contract Staffing for Specialized Services in Schools
    Teacher and staff shortages, particularly in areas of specialized need like speech pathology, counseling, and accessible education, are increasing throughout the country. Such shortages coupled with increasing non-instructional demands on teachers increase stress and, for some, burnout. Despite that, a recent survey conducted by Soliant, a recruiting and staffing company specializing in education and other skilled sectors, shows that teachers remain optimistic about their impact. Lesley Slaughter, Senior Vice President at Soliant, discusses the challenges of staffing and potential solutions offered by firms like hers to meet the needs of students and schools.
    30 min
  • The Science of Reading with Kari Kurto of the Reading League

    Reading is a fundamental skill that facilitates learning across standards, subjects, and grade levels. Yet, national statistics show that students are reading less and, generally speaking, below grade level. Kari Kurto is the National Science of Reading Project Director for the Reading League. Kari discusses a resource called Compass, which provides educators, administrators, policy makers, and others with resources on evidence-based practices that improve students’ reading skills.

    To learn more about Compass, visit the Reading League’s website: https://www.thereadingleague.org/compass/

    42 min

About Teaching Matters

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Teaching Matters Podcast is an audio series exploring the issues related to teaching and learning in an informaiton-rich world.