The School Connect Podcast

It's been 15 years since the iPhone was released and made access to the internet and social media to everyone at any time a reality. With that has come a lot of growing pains, especially for parents on how best to balance technology and real-world activity with their kids. Tracey and Tim reached out to the experts in this subject and welcome Victoria Saylor From Common Sense Media and Stephanie Pletka from Motherhood Mindset to today’s show.

They give balanced, thoughtful advice on how to navigate these choppy digital waters. They share their wisdom and experience on strategies that work with children, from the broad to the specific, from the beneficial to what can be counter-productive. They ask the serious questions. Do we see children's attitudes and demeanor change when using devices for extended periods of time? Are we as parents model good behavior with how we use our devices?

It takes planning, example setting, building expectations, creating boundaries while giving space, bridging the home/school connection with digital citizenship curriculum, and fostering critical thinking to begin the journey towards smoother seas.

Don’t miss this crucial and eye-opening episode that can change the digital dynamic in your household.  

To receive great bits of advice on media balance in your house - just text the word KIDS  to 21555.

Learn more about Common Sense Media and Motherhood Mindset.

Become part of the village with School Connect!

There are obstacles in everyone's journey. Some push through them, some may not. Some, like today's guest, not only plow through them but use their story to inspire others to overcome difficult times. Tracey and Tim welcome Dr. Lupita Hightower, Superintendent of the Tolleson School District, to the show.

She tells the story of her upbringing, the influence of her parents, and several other key figures in her life along the way that made life-changing impacts. Dr. Hightower rejects the term "at risk," and views the kids she serves as "treasures." She strives to raise the bar for children by having high standards and expectations. They also discuss the power of affirmations, embracing adversity, and how the partnerships and support of School Connect have been the game-changer in being able to deliver outstanding resources to Dr. Hightower's students.

Become part of the village with School Connect!

Tracey and Tim talk to Scott Davis, Chief Clinical Officer at The Meadows, about the trends in mental health. The importance of connecting with patients, clients or students and giving them the sense of being heard and seen. The importance of recognizing the trauma students have gone through these last couple of years with COVID and understand that some of the student behavior is coming from a place of pain. Supporting educators and staff during this difficult time and making sure they receive restorative care so they can continue their work with their students and the community they serve.

All children learn in different ways, but some kids may have extra challenges that can’t always be met in the general classroom. Special Education teachers are extraordinary people that specialize in leading these students to their full potential. There may be no one better to speak to this topic than today’s guest. Kareem Neal has worked in Special Education for over 25 years and was Arizona’s Teacher of the Year in 2019.

Tracey and Tim enjoy a wide-ranging conversation with Kareem about his journey teaching children that learn differently. Kareem gives thoughtful perspective of this population and how engaged and motivated they are to learn. His passion and joy come through in all that he does. It’s a wonderful lesson for teachers and parents and community members to understand and appreciate every student no matter their differences.

Kareem will also be the MC for the School Connect Summit on January 25th 2022.

Tim and Tracey talk with their guests about the unexpected gifts they have received and how they’ve impacted SchoolConnect. Top of the list are the close friendships that are formed from working together on behalf of kids, connecting the community with resources and partnering with one another to help families and schools in need.

Tracey and Tim welcome Wes Brownfield, Executive Director of the Arizona Rural Schools Association, to the show today. They talk about the challenges for these areas whether it be economic, geographical, technological or organizational. Tracey also discusses the qualities and lessons that can be taken from tight knit rural schools and communities that can be used in more urban areas. Wes stresses the incredible importance of schools to individual students, their families and the fabric of the surrounding population. He also explains an amazing initiative his organization is working on called The Final Mile Project, bringing quality affordable internet to families’ homes around their school. This was jumpstarted in the early days of the pandemic, but its benefits stretch far beyond kids and their schoolwork. All of this shines a light on School Connect and how they are using the success they have had in urban areas to start building strategic relationships with rural school district leaders and the communities they serve.

Get involved with School Connect!

Each year School Connect holds Love Our Schools Day. It’s a time to celebrate and create connection with our schools, teachers, community partners and parents. Tens of thousands of volunteers do everything from planting gardens, to cleaning, to creating artwork and teacher care packages. Today Tracey and Tim welcome three special guests, Susie Smith, Andrea Worth, and Michelle Zahariades, to talk about the planning and the passion that goes into this event, and how the relationships and trust that are built are the seeds that grow into strong alliances for years to come.

Today’s guest is so nice we asked her to be on twice! Dr. Betsy Hargrove, Superintendent of the Avondale Elementary School District, is back on the show to talk about community building. Being a teacher has become much more complex than it once was. It isn’t just academics, but making sure that kids from all walks of life have the basic entry points in order to participate, learn and “pursue their future without limits” as Dr. Hargrove so eloquently says. The problem is that teachers, and even administrators, can only do so much on their own. This is where community comes in.

Listen to heartfelt stories and examples of how community alliances begin to fill in the gaps to create a full and supportive structure for a school and its students. From backpacks to food to school supplies to uniforms to haircuts and beyond. The partnerships that come together with the help of School Connect create a momentum that continues to build. And the most important thing that is achieved for children – is a sense of belonging. Because only when a student feels they belong, can they learn with a sense of comfort and security.

Today’s show is about leading in stressful and traumatic times. But it’s not just for leaders, it’s also ultimately for the people that they lead. For nearly two years the amount of stress and traumatic events have been at a level we’ve never experienced before. So leaders are navigating their roles and how to adjust to it. Luckily, Tracey has a great friend, Pastor Dan Steffen, Senior Pastor at Pure Heart Church, and a partner in starting School Connect.

He talks with Tracey and Tim about how these difficulties have effected people, his short-comings when first trying to find a new leadership style, and the success that he’s found having learned lessons along the way. Pastor Steffen discusses the difference between stress and trauma, how the extended pandemic has caused continued uncertainty, which leads to exhaustion and feeling out of control. He also stresses the need to be aware how the people you lead are effected, especially changes in their mood or behavior. He also explains that patience, listening, gentleness and vulnerability allows those around us to be able to express their frustrations and relieve some of the pressure that they are feeling.

Don’t miss this important episode filled with powerful and practical advice, and share it with a friend that may need some guidance right now.

When Covid hit, it started to effect schools, parents and students dramatically. Today Tracey and Tim are honored to have Dr. Betsy Hargrove, Superintendent of the Avondale Elementary School District, join the show to discuss the ingenuity, determination and maneuvering that took place during this time. And beyond that, what we have learned that will create positive change for the future.  How do we get a Zoom account? That’s pretty much how Dr. Hargrove started when news hit that schools were closing and they had immense planning to get to. But she was determined to assure the children that they were still connected to their schools and teachers, and that engaging parents was instrumental in this process. They also talk about how community relationships made all the difference during this time, the long-term effects of remote learning on education, Avondale’s extraordinary collaborative structure, student-centered learning, listening to all viewpoints and much more. This inspiring, informative and emotional episode is one you don’t want to miss.