KINL Podcast Network

Does every great lesson need a digital upgrade? Absolutely not! In our Season 2 premiere of Teaching Forward, Keep Indiana Learning Innovation Coaches Stevie Frank and Nicole Nelson explore the SAMR model and what purposeful technology integration really looks like. Together, they challenge the idea that more technology always means better learning, discuss AI's role in the classroom, and shar...

Don't skip this one! Join Liesl and Jeff as they talk about how the brain learns and what implications that has for teaching.

Season 2 of Setting SAIL is here, and I couldn’t have asked for a better first guest than Dr. Bill Watson from Purdue. Bill has spent his career on one big question...how do we build schools where every student actually learns, instead of a system that holds time fixed and sorts kids? He’s been chasing personalized learning since grad school, long before AI was part of the conversation. Now he thi...

Basic fact fluency is a great big topic and I’m gearing up for a few episodes - or many, we’ll see -  to talk about it. I don’t have any documented evidence to support this, but in my 20 years of having a leadership role of some kind in schools the quote, “My kids don’t know their facts” is a statement I hear over and over again. When I ask what they’re doing to teach facts sometimes they answer t...

Join Jessica Miller and myself for an informative conversation about what coaching is and what it isn't. Jessica has a wealth of knowledge; I learned so much during short time together, and I know you will, too. If you want to know more about coaching, check out more learning opportunities with Jessica at keepindianalearning.org/upcoming-events.

We all have our go-to sections of the bookstore…and the ones we tend to walk right past. In this episode, the Lit Gals are stepping outside our reading comfort zones and tackling the genres we find challenging. Anna, Morgan, and Martie share the genres we struggle to pick up, the books that have helped change our minds, and what we’ve discovered by reading beyond our usual favorites. Maybe we’ll e...

Join Sam Vidal to learn more about Indiana's Accountability Law and what we need to be thinking about for our middle schoolers!

You know you want to grade differently, but you're not sure where to start. No problem. Jeff gives some great strategies to open up the conversation about grading differently and how you can get started tomorrow. Got more questions? Reach out to us at jharker@ciesc.org, we're here to help.

This is a long overdue recording with Kristen Acosta about thinking about and planning for intervention in our math classrooms. I got the idea to record this episode after the first time we chatted a few years ago, and we finally did. I cannot tell you how many important reflections and ideas there are in this episode regarding how we think about the purpose of intervention, how we assess students...

She's back!! Carrie Wisehart is once again our guest bringing her energetic effervescence to our conversation. When I was thinking about what makes a great middle school principal I immediately thought I should ask Carrie. After all, she is one!! Listen and learn from one of the best. Then like and follow for more from Keep Indiana Learning and the KINL Podcast Network.

Welcome to the 2026-2027 school year! Ryan Flessner joins me in this episode to talk about our favorite tools for math class. We had no idea what each of us was going to say, so this was a really fun conversation! Links to as many things as we can below - nothing is sponsored and no discounts, but we wanted to show you what’s out there! If you choose to purchase, please find the best and cheapest...

Teachers, thinking of building your own thinking classroom? Tammy found the magic within days of beginning. It can happen for you and your students, too. Contact us at Keep Indiana Learning to find out how.

Join host Jeff Harker and his guests, Dr. Kari Ottinger and Craig Smith as they discuss the ins and outs of leading district wide initiatives. The task can be daunting at times, but the rewards are great when everyone's rowing in the same direction.

Classroom management is about trust and allowing students to do what they are capable of doing. I sat down with veteran middle school teacher Melisia Huggins to discuss the effects of a trusting learning environment. Join me for this insightful conversation as we begin season 7 of the KINL Podcast Network.

It’s been a minute, but there are MANY things going on. Good things - but MANY things. I think about episodes and topics for this podcast all the time because there are always good math and other things to talk about! I also have two episodes I still need to produce, so I’m sorry to my guests that those aren’t out yet. Trust that they’ll be very good!  BUT today’s episode is a breaking news episod...

Is there any place more magical in the summer than the public library? In Episode 46, "Stacked for Summer: Library Picks & Programs," Lit Gals Anna, Morgan, and Martie are showing some major love to our favorite community hubs. Before heading out on their summer hiatus, the trio is sharing their favorite tips for diving into library programs and curating the perfect warm-weather read...

Did you know that April is the Month of the Young Child? In this episode, we speak with Kristin Parisi about authentic assessment, inclusion, play, and behavior supports for young learners. We discuss observation-based assessment, the importance of play, best practices in co-teaching and inclusive education, and how to support social-emotional development in young children.

Is there anything better than the first breath of spring air?  In Episode 45, the Lit Gals are heading outdoors! Join Anna, Morgan, and Martie for "Books That Breathe Fresh Air" as they explore the transformative power of nature in literature. From the rustle of leaves to the vastness of the sky, the Lit Gals are sharing titles for all ages where the natural world takes center stage. Whe...

We’re trying a new podcast series called: Stories from the Field . This is where we highlight the work we are encountering in the field and share what we’re noticing, the conversations we can’t stop thinking about, and what it’s all teaching us about the teaching and learning of math - and of course, other things. In this episode, Ryan Flessner and I reflect on a quick story about how our daughter...

Innovation Coaches Dianna Knox and Melissa Walley explore blended learning as a strategic blend of digital and in-person instruction. They emphasize designing with purpose (using frameworks like SAMR, Bloom’s Taxonomy, and UDL) to increase engagement, student voice, and meaningful learning. They discuss the role of feedback, reflection, and choice in blended learning. Listen in to gain practical w...

I sat down with a panel of teachers doing the work of building their thinking classrooms, some for several years now. Listen and gain some valuable insights into the day-to-day workings of a thinking classroom.

Counselors are curious and we want to support our students and families in making informed decisions as we navigate the new Indiana diploma and assist our students in planning for their futures! Episode Resources:  Clarification: As referenced in the podcast, IUB enrolls more Indiana residents in a beginner cohort than any other university. Redesigning the Indiana Diploma Indiana Pre-Admissions &a...

During this episode two school social work leaders discuss the power of school social work. They will discuss the role of the school social worker, why it varies from district to district and how districts and school social workers can elevate the role.  Moderator Names & Titles:  Alma Dabrowski, Social Worker for Special Populations/Homeless Liaison, Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation ...

In this episode, Innovation Coaches Amy Stevens, Dianna Knox, and Brenny Kummer explore Universal Design for Learning (UDL) as a proactive framework for supporting the diverse needs of today’s classrooms. UDL is not about creating multiple versions of a lesson or simply differentiating, but about intentionally designing learning experiences that offer flexible options for engagement (why), represe...

What makes a book a "read-aloud" winner? In this episode, "The Magic of Reading Aloud," Anna, Morgan, and Martie explore the special connection built through shared stories. As we look ahead to World Read Aloud Day (2/4/26) and Read Across America (3/2/26), the Lit Gals are sharing their absolute favorite titles - the ones that have sparked the best discussions and the biggest...