What is education for? What is school for? 

On this brand new episode of 2020, we sit down with Brad Lichtman and have an in-depth conversation about leadership, culture, and how to create an environment where the natural result is human flourishing.

Brad’s deep experience as a school administrator (High School Assistant Principal, High School Principal, and Assistant Superintendent) is matched by his stellar reputation as a leader of character and class.

Read more about Brad's background and his work on our School Impact Team.

Tracy Yates is a founding staff member at Canyon Crest Academy, a high-achieving, large public high school in Carmel Valley San Diego. She's an English, Dance, and Health teacher, certified Wellness Coach, mother to five children, and has been through intense grief in losing her first husband but has chosen gratitude as a life practice- not just in her personal life and with her family, but also in the classroom.

We put together a simple worksheet you can use in your family at the dinner table, in the car on a road trip, or in your classroom. It's not that hard to cultivate gratitude! The exercise is called Three Good Things, originally put together by Martin Seligman in his Masters of Applied Psychology class at the University of Pennsylvania. 

Download the worksheet here.

Inside of every student is the potential and desire to construct a meaningful life. But so many face significant challenges in discovering that meaningful life and most schools don't have deliberate plans to guide students to figure that out.

What can a school do to come alongside students in that very pursuit, to redesign the student experience and provide the resources and guidance for students to flourish?

Mrs. Alberts and Mrs. Myers, co-chairs of the English Department at Sage Creek High School helped launch the Genius Project several years ago, and are redesigning what students experience before they graduate. 

More info about Shannon

More info about Corrie

Middle and High School is a time ripe with self-expression and self-discovery. Students are searching for identity, purpose, and connection. Those dynamics don't just happen, students need to be guided through experiences, reflection, and conversations to find clarity. Community service is a tremendous opportunity to provide all three, and our guest this week, Leigh Cambra, health teachers, Link Crew teacher and former ASB Director helped students launch This Club Saves Lives, and she's seeing students discovering who they are and what they're made for.

Bio

High school health education teacher Leigh Cambra, Carmel Teachers Association, helps teens make the world a better place. She created the This Club Saves Lives club with her students several years ago; it has grown to 70+ members who together with students in her classes carry out significant community and global service projects. She has led student efforts to bring awareness and actions to end the water crisis and collect feminine hygiene products for homeless women. She spearheaded initiatives to collect socks for the homeless; fill backpacks with school supplies and distribute them to elementary school students; repair and decorate a local safe house for women who have been trafficked; and much more. (bio from CaliforniaEducator.org)

Learn more about This Club Saves Lives

Watch a quick video about Leigh

Dr. Kim Jones of Palo Alto had a thriving practice as a pediatrician until she noticed a shift- more and more kids were coming in with anxiety and depression. Over time she realized she wanted to do more to support students upstream, not just in crisis intervention but to guide kids to discover meaning and purpose in their lives. Listen in on an important conversation between Scott Schimmel and Dr. Kim Jones.

 

Also video available: https://vimeo.com/369211340

Before coming to Sage Creek, Schuveiller worked at a multitude of schools, including La Costa Canyon, Fallbrook High School, Del Norte High School and Park City High School. Not only has he held the role of assistant principal three times, but he has also been an English teacher, AVID teacher, varsity baseball coach and an English Department Chair. In the 2013-2014 school year, Schuveiller was named Fallbrook Union High School District’s teacher of the year and the following year was a San Diego County Teacher of the Year finalist. Read more about Jesse...

(article excerpt from The Sage News)

What can a principal do to create a culture where the adults on a campus both care and nurture the social-emotional lives of their students AND challenge them to succeed academically? Dr. Bryan Brockett is the Principal of Carlsbad High School and a cultural architect who's designing an upside down world of high school where all students flourish.

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100:01:41,880 --> 00:02:00,150Scott Schimmel: Alright, Hey, everybody, this is the YouSchool podcast. I'm your host, Scott Schimmel, and I'm here with a friend of mine. That's also a colleague for the past couple of years. Bryan Brockett principal of Carlsbad High School, he's got a long resume as an educator inside schools and you'll give you a little synopsis of that.

200:02:00,150 --> 00:02:22,890But I just want to say thank you for, for participating taking time out of the day I, I've, as I get to know principals better, I don't know a more complex demanding job than what you do. And so the fact that you carve out even 20 minutes for me means a lot to me. So why don't you just going to share a little bit of your resume not to go into I was born in But what have you kind of been there done that in terms of your education career?

300:02:23,580 --> 00:03:02,370Dr. Bryan Brockett: Well, thanks for having me Actually, Scott, because I you know, as as I've told you, before, just carving out the 20 minutes to sit and talk and have some time to reflect is really valuable, as you know. So it's, it's, it's fun to be with you. But just my background. I'm from the area here in North County and in terms of education, I've taught at both the middle school and high school level. I've rancho santa fe middle school and Torrey Pines High School and then came into after 14 years in the classroom came into the administrative realm in Carlsbad here as an assistant principal at the middle school level and principal, the middle school level and now. It's my third year here at Carlsbad High School.

400:03:02,850 --> 00:03:17,430Scott Schimmel: What's your favorite role? I mean, obviously, you love your job now, in case your boss is listening, but what's been your favorite gig you've had? You know, you know, honestly, being a middle school assistant principal, which I know for a lot of people sounds like maybe

500:03:18,990 --> 00:03:59,970Dr. Bryan Brockett: that'd be a good reality show. Yeah, yeah, no, it's it. But that's a lot of fun. I think the one thing that I miss from being in the assistant principal role is, is you get a lot more hands on with working with students in that. And a lot of the kinds of things that we value in terms of coaching and supporting and really kind of digging in and get to know kids. You don't, I don't get as much opportunity to do that in my role. Now. That's one thing that I certainly Miss, and try to find ways to do and I'm always looking for ways to make sure that I'm connected with our kids and no, it's great. What would what would we if we got to go back in time and see what we like as a middle school teacher, like what would students say about you? How would they experience you we read the funding

600:04:00,000 --> 00:04:14,850I read the intense guy. Yeah, no, it's funny I was I was probably the the fun guy, I like to think that I, you know, got kids well prepared, I was a Spanish teacher. So, in that kind of language, you're always trying to, you know, make sure kids are prepared for the next level.

700:04:15,980 --> 00:04:52,460But I think that I was the guy that I coached as well. And that was really meaningful to me to get to know kids classroom and have that other connection with them. And then, you know, I think I would be that that fun guy that that could, you know, would when I was getting serious or getting, you know, like, to the point in class, and kids knew that that was time to pay attention because that that was, you know, I didn't have to, you know, raise my voice or those kinds of things very often, but sometimes you do

A little about our guest this week, Dana Moen:

My name is Dana Moen, principal of Classical Academy High School (CAHS). I have the great honor of serving as principal of this distinguished high school. CAHS is passionate about partnering with parents to provide the best education possible so that students become successful thinkers, communicators, and achievers. We provide a rigorous and flexible academic program that meets the University of California A-G requirements. As a Distinguished, award-winning, California public charter school, CAHS offers a nurturing environment teaching students to: work hard, live pure, lead with courage, and honor each other, while preparing students for college, career, and citizenship. CAHS has been recognized by Newsweek magazine as the 136th school in the nation for preparing students for college and number one in San Diego as the best high school for homebuyers in 2016. Classical Academy High School is located in downtown Escondido, is one mile from the 78 and 15 freeways, and is within easy walking distance from the Sprinter station on Valley Parkway.

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Transcript

100:02:52,470 --> 00:03:10,110Scott Schimmel: Well, Hey, everybody. Welcome back to another episode of YouSchool podcast. I'm here with a friend of mine and a principal local principal in San Diego, Dana, Moen- Dana, thanks for being on the show. And then give us a little context of where you're at what you're doing how you got there.

200:03:10,830 --> 00:04:00,540Dana Moen: Okay, great. Um, cut me off. If I'm too long but I'm at Classical Academy High School. I've been the principal for going on 11 years now. I have the opportunity to help start this school 15 years ago when we when we opened the school cool. How did I get into education? I love my high school experience like high school was amazing to me. I felt like that changed the course of my life. I did some things really well. I did some things really badly. through all of that I just really enjoyed High School. So I've never left I decided I wanted to be a teacher. So went to school, to be honest and be a math teacher. calculus kind of changed me changed me my course to history became a history teacher coach, did that for about six years. Then I started doing ASP advisor and then had this opportunity to start school Classical Academy school.

300:04:00,840 --> 00:04:03,750Scott Schimmel: Where did you go to school in San Diego, you grew up here?

400:04:04,350 --> 00:04:16,860Yeah, I've I've been in Escondido guy my whole life except except for when I went to Azusa Pacific University and then got a job in Covina right next to Azusa, but I have been born and raised in Escondido, California. So

500:04:17,040 --> 00:04:30,210I'm happy to be back. For those people that don't understand classical academies. It's it's extremely well respected charter school, but maybe talk about the model. So other principals listening in can understand what you what you do. Yeah,

600:04:30,210 --> 00:06:17,250Unknown: so classical Academy, when I got on board, it was a K through eight model, and my wife had got a job as an educational specialist. And we were homeschooling our kids through classical, okay, that's a hybrid model, where most of the kids in K through six are coming to school two days a week. And the school is training parents and providing curriculum for three days at home. So that's what my kids were doing. That was the environment my wife was working in. I had got a job back at my alma mater, Escondido High School doing ASB their student activity, loving that. The school had gotten really, really large since I had gone to school. I mean, we were up maybe 2500 students when I mean just a different culture than even when I went to high school, you know, 20 years ago, or whatever it is 30 years ago. So I saw some great things happen at classical with the hybrid model. So I asked if there's anything I could help them do. And then Cameron curry now the executive

Who is Kevin Kirk?

Kevin Kirk graduated from Southern Connecticut State University in 2005 with a major in Sociology and minor in Criminal Justice. Soon after graduation, Kevin entered the United States Military, where he had both the honor and privilege to serve as a Navy SEAL. Kevin speaks fluent French and enjoys skydiving, scuba diving and developing his combat skills in his free time. After his brother passed away on December 2013, Kevin became inspired to help others and has since lived with that as his purpose. He is a proudly certified hospice volunteer.

 

WHAT IS MAKE A WAVE?

We are a revolutionary social media platform that promotes acts of kindness and tracks good deeds through the passing of coins.

We encourage people to "pay it forward" and share about it online-allowing users to see firsthand how their "ripple" turns into a "wave."

 

EXPLAIN THE COINS...

These coins are passed through acts of kindness.

Each coin instructs the recipient to go to MakeaWave.com, where they are directed to type in that coins unique ID and learn what that SPECIFIC coin represents. This gives the ability for these acts of kindness to be attached to its own cause.

Causes can be the birth of a baby, a marriage, or even giving your waiter/waitress a big tip. You can even honor a lost loved one and put the coin in their name! It's up to you, you choose your cause and watch it MAKE A WAVE of kindness!

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Transcript of the Episode:

100:00:50,700 --> 00:03:33,870Scott Schimmel: Well, hey everybody. This is Scott Schimmel, your consummate host of the YouSchool podcast. And I'm here live in studio, sort of, with my new friend Kevin Kirk, former Navy SEAL now is the director of a nonprofit called microwave foundation working with students. And so Kevin, first of all, welcome to the show. And then secondly, I know when people hear former Navy SEAL, they conjure up all these images. And so maybe you can just kind of tff for what was your role within the Navy and, and, and then a quick bridge to what are you doing now?

200:03:35,460 --> 00:03:57,030Kevin Kirk: Yeah, so 9-11 happened when I was in college, and I realized that I want to serve you know, the nation. I want to be part of the best of the best. So I focused in on the Navy SEAL program. Took me took me about six years to get in. Once I graduated college. I had actually tried to sign up but I go the color blindness test.

300:03:59,460 --> 00:03:59,970Scott Schimmel: Yeah, that's right

400:04:00,000 --> 00:04:08,520Kevin Kirk: Make a very long story short it actually took me six years to prove to the military that I could see could could in fact see colors

500:04:09,990 --> 00:04:13,350Scott Schimmel: go Yeah, and you were just you're just dumb not blind

600:04:14,730 --> 00:04:29,100Kevin Kirk: or deficient is oh thank you sorry excuse I didn't want to offend ever affecting your life. Obviously the Navy has to be very selective of people. Obviously, you don't want somebody going in that can't see colors that can be very detrimental.

700:04:29,100 --> 00:04:35,850Scott Schimmel: Which by the way, I'm colorblind so I'm not gonna take any of this personally, I I'm sure I would have been a Navy SEAL as well if I had been able to see color.

800:04:38,190 --> 00:04:43,710Kevin Kirk: happened was I actually I got denied for many, many years and I never gave up on it.

900:04:44,940 --> 00:04:59,970And I wound up doing a lot of fundraising for the Navy SEAL Foundation, which is a foundation that supports navy seals and their and their families. So I did that. I was doing like a half Ironman. I would raise money for the

1000:05:00,420 --> 00:05:32,400Navy SEAL foundation then I did a full marathon that I did a full Ironman, it with each of these events, I was pushing myself to become better, but at the same time, I want to support the community that at that time I could not be a part of. So I did that for about four years and eventually I had kind of gotten noticed by the rig

Dr. Churchill is a highly respected educator who is proud to serve in his fourth year as Superintendent of Carlsbad Unified School District.

He is passionate about all aspects of teaching and learning, and is especially interested in classroom technology integration, early learning and kindergarten readiness, workforce development, and career pathways for all students. He previously served as an assistant superintendent of teaching and learning, high school principal, associate principal of curriculum and instruction, and a high school English teacher. He began his 24-year career in education teaching English for six years in China. 

Dr. Churchill was recently recognized as the 2019 Innovative Superintendent by the Classroom of the Future Foundation. In addition to serving on the Board of Directors for both the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce and the Classroom of the Future Foundation, Dr. Churchill is also currently serving as the Chair of the Board of Governors for the North Coastal Consortium for Special Education. 

Dr. Churchill earned his Educational Doctorate from Argosy University, a master’s degree in school leadership from Northeastern Illinois University, a master’s degree in teaching and learning from DePaul University, and a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Valparaiso University. Ben, his wife, and their two school-age daughters live in Carlsbad. The family is thrilled to be part of the active community of parents and other committed stakeholders in the district.

Connect with Dr. Churchill on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook - @SuptChurchill

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Transcript of the Entire Episode

100:00:00,000 --> 00:01:35,160Scott Schimmel: Hey, everybody. This is Scott Schimmel, the co host, the host of the YouSchool podcast, and I'm here, I'm really thrilled to be here with Dr. Ben Churchill. He's been really gracious to make time for us in his office. And I've known I've known Ben, since probably the first week that you came here, I met you and a gym at Carlsbad High School, when you were fresh to San Diego. And it was great to welcome you here. And now it's going on to your fourth year. So, Ben, welcome to the show. And thank you for joining, would you just kind of tell us where you are, what you're doing, and what brought you here.

200:01:36,000 --> 00:03:41,250Dr Churchilll: Cool, thanks, Scott. Life is good. I am here in Carlsbad, as you said, my fourth year as superintendent, Carlsbad Unified School District. And I feel very fortunate we we moved here from the Chicago area. Four summers ago, my wife and my two daughters. And I, we had decided, when I was finished my doctorate degree, we were looking for Superintendent jobs. I've been on the SU a chief academic officer in the Chicago region. And when when we thought about, you know, the the change on our family that that, you know, starting a superintendent job would entail, we thought, let's find somewhere really awesome to do this work. Right. So, so we looked at the map, we circled a couple of places on the map that we thought would be places we'd like to live and raise a family Why? Exactly right. Right. So So coastal San Diego County, was high on the list. I knew the search firm that was conducting the search for the Carlsbad superintendent. And, you know, it all worked out. So I feel very fortunate that we, we worked hard to get here. And that will work in an equally hard to stay here. Because it's an outstanding place to live great place to raise a family. And and and the people I work with are outstanding. So couldn't couldn't be a better situation personally. And professionally. The work is the right work. We have a really positive and supportive community. parents and community members are genuinely supportive of public education and Carlsbad. Yeah. So So we, we get to do a lot of good work, because we get to partner with so many good people who are either behind the scenes working in their school, we work with the business community do a lot of