Teaching Tomorrow with Jay, Katie & Steven

How can teachers work together to improve instruction—one cycle at a time? Devon McKee, Waterford School District’s JK–8 Math and Science Consultant, joins us to explore how focused collaboration can turn broad instructional goals into manageable next steps. We discuss using student evidence, building trust, and creating a community of practice where teachers learn alongside one another. Hear prac...

For our Season 2 opener, we're thrilled to talk to Dr. Kaitlyn Billops on her experience in closing the research to practice gap. Dr. Billops is a seasoned educational systems builder currently serving as a Curriculum Coordinator with Birmingham Public Schools. Her areas of leadership include State & Federal Programs, Assessment, and English Language Development. She’s also an adjunct ins...

School Psychology Consultant Dr. Amy Hawtin  of Oakland Schools joins our hosts for the final episode of season one to talk about how we can support and sustain teachers and their mental health and well-being. From emerging practices after the COVID-19 pandemic, to supporting teachers through the daily challenges of the classroom, this episode is rooted in the possible - the supportive systems and...

In this week’s episode, our hosts have a deep discussion with Michelle Gierman about how Gifted and Talented education fits within a MTSS Framework. Michelle comes to us with over 20 years in education from elementary through college. She currently serves as the AI Strategist and gifted education coordinator in the Avondale School District where she co-founded the GATE Magnet School. We hope this...

This week, we’re thrilled to sit down with High School Special Education teacher Stephanie Current from Lamphere High School to talk about how E-Sports (organized competitive video gaming) supports a school climate where each and every student grows academically and socially. Listen to this enlightening discussion that connects the dots between video gaming, academic learning, and lifelong skills....

Jay, Katie, and Steven sit down with Jackie Bury , the proud principal of Centennial Middle School from South Lyon Community Schools to learn about her amazing story of implementing schoolwide PBIS from the ground up. Hear the inspirational journey of the Centennial Middle School team’s embrace of system thinking and positive culture to support healthy student behaviors. They expand PBIS implement...

For this week’s episode, our hosts sit down with Hadeel Azzo , ELD, Math & ELA Curriculum Coordinator for the West Bloomfield School District. Hadeel explains how teachers and school leaders can implement strategies and approaches to supporting the learning needs of Muli-lingual learners, and their journey to acquire proficiency in English. From creating welcoming classroom environments to sca...

For The 10th episode of the Teaching Tomorrow Podcast, Jay, Katie, and Steven revisit the topic of improving school attendance with Lindsay Makidon , Assistant Principal of Keys Grace Academy in Madison Heights, Michigan. Lindsay tells an amazing story of working closely with her staff to dramatically reduce chronic absenteeism with an all-hands approach that involved data, family engagement, and...

In this episode, Shanita Canady , Detroit educator and community leader, shares insights on how to make STEM a place where girls truly belong. Drawing on her work in computer science education and community programming, she discusses how schools can break down gender stereotypes, build inclusive learning environments, and inspire more girls to see themselves as future innovators and leaders in STE...

In this episode, Jill Gumz , High School Math Coach with Rochester Community Schools, explores what effective differentiation can look like in secondary classrooms. She shares insights on why it’s both challenging and essential, how collaboration and co-teaching support diverse learners, and what it takes to create classroom systems that help every student succeed. Hosts: Jay Haffner - Literacy Co...

ELA teacher Peter Haun joins Jay, Katie, and Steven to explore how student ownership transforms learning. From AP Language writing projects to innovative uses of AI, Peter shares how giving students real responsibility builds stronger writers, deeper collaborators, and more confident leaders inside and outside the classroom. Hosts: Jay Haffner - Literacy Consultant , Katie Morrison - Mathematics E...

School Psychology Consultant Dr. Susan Koceski joins Jay, Katie, and Steven to unpack why dyslexia is finally receiving long overdue attention. We explore how reading is learned, why structured literacy benefits all students, and what Michigan’s new dyslexia law means for teachers, families, and schools. Hosts: Jay Haffner - Literacy Consultant , Katie Morrison - Mathematics Education Consultant,...

For this week's episode, we welcomed two outstanding teachers from Avondale School District to discuss unique and innovative ways to support staff and students with with cell phone policies and practices that keep the classroom focused on learning. Jennifer Bahorski , ELA Teacher at Avondale Middle School and Vanessa Wentzloff , Science Teacher at Avondale High School engaged our hosts Jay, K...

Oakland Schools Learning Design Consultant Dr. Andrea Zellner, self described A.I. passionate skeptic, joins Jay, Katie, and Steven to dive deep into the mysteries of Artificial Intelligence (AI) use in schools. From thinking critically about the careful use of AI in classrooms, to positioning students to learn and lead the charge with this phenomenon, Dr. Zellner provides insightful tips to teach...

Oak Park Schools’ Assistant Superintendent Shana Holden-Murphy joins Jay, Katie, and Steven Jay to tackle the challenge of chronic absenteeism. We explore the roots of student disengagement, the role of family and community partnerships, and strategies that help transform the school into a school house–a place where every student feels they belong and want to show up. Hosts: Jay Haffner - Literacy...

Educator, author, and performer Dr. Giani Clarkson joins Steven, Katie, and Jay to discuss the art of student engagement. From building authentic relationships to creating culturally relevant learning, we explore strategies that inspire excitement, belonging, and purpose so every student sees school as a place they want to be. Hosts: Jay Haffner - Literacy Consultant , Katie Morrison - Mathematics...

For the inaugural episode of the Teaching Tomorrow Podcast with Jay, Katie, & Steven the 2021 Michigan Teacher of the Year and Oak Park High School ELA teacher Owen Bondono joins our hosts to explore how teachers can build strong relationships, create inclusive classrooms, and spark positive momentum at the start of the year. Discover strategies that help students feel connected, confident, an...