UEN Homeroom

Jared, Dani, and Fernando take a look back at Year Two in UEN Homeroom.  We share some of our favorite moments and give out some annual awards.  The biggest question is:  which of the UEN Homeroom staff will give themselves an award?  Listen to find out...

Dani and Jared are excited to have Max Gonzalez, Program Manager at UETN,  join them to share information about the new  Reimagine Teaching project.  As pare of our discussion we learn how teachers can qualify for a $200 stipend related to distance teaching professional development through the CARES Act.  

https://reimagine.uen.org/

As we move into our 3rd season of UEN Homeroom, the two Jareds (Covili and Fawson) catch up with the guys from Skill Struck.  Our conversation focuses on the importance of providing students with real world opportunities to show what they know.  We also discuss how student internships can provide opportunities for schools to connect with their local communities, the need for students to prepare for post-school employment, and the impact Skill Struck has in helping students learn computer programming.

https://www.skillstruck.com/

In the last of our Back to School episodes, Jared and Dani talk with Nicole Johnson, UEN Admin Assistant extraordinaire, about her experiences as a student during COVID.  As part of the conversation we cover topics such as:  what COVID required of students, how schools and educators fared providing instruction during distance learning, and what schools can do to help support students if classes go online in the upcoming school year. 

UEN Homeroom continues along with our Back to School series as Utah prepares for the return of teachers and students to our buildings.  This week we connect with Moe Hickey, CEO of Voices for Utah Children.  Our conversation focuses on the fiver key areas of healthy development for kids: health, school readiness, safety, economic stability, and diversity.  We also learn what Voices is doing to advocate for Utah students with the state legislature and local school districts.

Voices for Utah Children - https://www.utahchildren.org/

In the next installment of our Back to School series, Jared and Dani talk with Katie Dewey Hill, an educator development specialist from the Utah State Board of Education.  To help teachers get ready for a new school year, we discuss the impact the instructional coaching can have on improving teaching.  Our conversation also addresses the relationship between an educator and their instructional coach, how teaching will be different this year, and Katie shares some resources to help teachers prepare for school.

Midas Remote Learning Course - https://usbe.midaseducation.com/professional-development/courses/course/58330

Jared and Dani are continuing the Back to School series this week by talking with Rachel Fletcher, a school counselor at the Salt Lake Center for Science Education.  As we discussed the need for schools to address the social and emotional needs of student and staff, we also covered the following topics:  how we can help students, teachers, and parents who are dealing with anxiety related to schools opening, what types of supports can schools provide for students who need to share their feelings about COVID related issues, and what role schools can play to help provide a safe space for all.

In our Back to School series, UEN Homeroom visits with Shanna Bingham, a Kindergarten teacher from the Granite School District.  During our conversation we talk about the issues surrounding returning to school and look back at remote learning from last year.  Topics in the podcast include:  how to build relationships with students and parents, the need to connect with students using video and more, how to move your in-person curriculum online, and many more.  Mrs. Bingham is described as "Mary Poppins if she taught Kindergarten" - listen to this interview and you'll fall in love with her positive outlook on education...

This week UEN Homeroom is rebroadcasting our conversation with  Holly Todd, the Project Aware Coordinator for Jordan School District.  This episode shares ideas on social and emotional learning in schools.  We also discuss the need to help students understand their emotions, how to provide self-care for teachers, and the need to teach kids "soft skills" that can prepare them for real life.

This week UEN Homeroom is pleased to welcome Todd Call, Educational Coordinator for the Digital Teaching and Learning Grant at the Utah State Board of Education.  Our conversation focuses on the impact of the DTL grant and how Utah schools are using the program to improve education throughout the state. While once considered a technology hardware grant, the DTL program has made big strides to bring instructional coaching and professional learning to our classroom teachers.