IASA Podcast

Dr. Voltz has spent years encouraging superintendents to focus on work/life balance. In this episode, he provides new work/life balance tips in the era of social distancing as well as shares a message about the importance of maintaining healthy habits. In addition, Dr. Voltz provides tips for schools about how to continue to engage with students.  Our podcast is sponsored by American Fidelity...

Dr. Mike Jacoby, executive director and CEO of the Illinois Association of School Business Officials, comes on the IASA podcast to discuss financial planning during COVID-19. This podcast doubles as IASA COVID-19 Swat Team Report #9. 

One way educators can engage with students and families while school buildings are closed is through Facebook Live. In this episode, we speak to David LaFrance, principal at Oakland Elementary School in the Bloomington Public Schools District 87. LaFrance began recording Facebook Live videos after schools were closed due to COVID-19. The sessions have become very popular with students and families...

Looking for new and innovative ideas to recharge your school families and staff and keep them engaged? Carrie Hruby, superintendent of O'Fallon CCSD #90, shares how her district has asked parents to become honorary staff, even making them t-shirts to wear with their new title. Hruby also discusses other ways her district is addressing new challenges created by COVID-19. Our podcast is sponsored by...

In this episode, we speak to Dr. Courtney Orzel, superintendent of Lemont-Bromberek CSD #113A, Dr. Jennifer Garrison, superintendent of Vandalia CUSD #203 and Dr. Brad Skertich, superintendent Collinsville CUSD #10, about how their districts are adapting to remote learning, what virtual platforms their districts are using and how they are trying to provide social-emotional support for students and...

This podcast is a follow up to the IASA COVID-19 Swat Team Report #7, which focused on emergency planning. Our guests are IASA Executive Director Dr. Brent Clark, Gary Tipsord, Dr. Brian Harris and Dr. Jennifer Garrison. Listen to learn more about why it's important to engage community partners with emergency planning and about what steps superintendents are taking in their communities. 

Beginning in the 2021-22 school year, U-46 will launch its Educational Pathways initiative, aimed at preparing all U-46 students for the rigors of college and tomorrow’s career skills, while also providing students opportunities to earn college credit and industry credentials. In this podcast, we speak to U-46's Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education, Lela Majstorovic, about the initiati...

Herrin Elementary School, part of Herrin CUSD #4, made the incredible jump from Underperforming to Exemplary. In this episode, we speak to Superintendent Dr. Terry Ryker about how hiring instructional coaches was a big factor in the turnaround. According to Ryker, the district chose to hire instructional coaches after analyzing the research in the Evidence-Based Funding Formula. Our podcast is spo...

The Evidence-Based Funding Formula is much more than a tool to funnel additional money to needy schools. It has the power to be used as a strategic communication and planning tool that superintendents can use to detail what it costs to provide students with a high-quality education. This podcast is the second part of a new IASA initiative to help superintendents better understand the power of EBF...

Barb Food Mart was founded in 2013 by retired teachers in DeKalb CUSD #428. The food pantry has been recognized for its impact on the community  and how volunteers go above and beyond to provide needy families with more than just a meal. The founders of Barb Food Mart , located in a middle school, also take a unique approach where families are treated like shoppers. Listen and learn how the f...

Belvidere CUSD #100 is part of a pilot program allowing the district to use proficiency-based grading. In this podcast, Superintendent Dr. Daniel Woestman discusses why the district believes in proficiency-based grading, how it train staff to adopt the new system and what has been the reaction from students and parents. In addition to listening to the podcast, Belvidere CUSD #100 has a lot of info...

Every October, the Illinois State Board of Education releases the Illinois School Report Card. This year, there are some changes with School Designations that superintendents need to know. To better understand those changes, learn key dates and determine what happens after school designations are released and what resources are available to school districts, IASA spoke to Allison Sherman, executiv...

Debra Lynch, principal at River Valley School in Lemont-Bromberek CSD #113A, has received teacher evaluation training through IASA. However, her elementary school has put a new spin on the process. In this episode, Lynch discusses what questions her district asks students, how it tracks the data and why she believes the evaluation process is critical to student learning. Our podcast is sponsored b...

Dr. Tom Mulligan, superintendent at Arcola CUSD #306, has been a superintendent for more than 20 years. He says he is more excited about IASA's, "Evidence-Based Leadership: Using Data to Drive Immediate and Lasting Improvement," academy than any other professional development training he has attended in a long time. Listen to this podcast and learn why Dr. Mulligan is excited and discover how atte...

Staff at Diamond Lake SD #76 recently dressed as their favorite rock stars and walked the red carpet to kickoff a new school  year. Superintendent Dr. Bhavna Sharma-Lewis (who dressed as Tina Turner) says the event was a great way to take everyone's mind off the end of summer and bond and get invigorated for the start of a new school year. In this episode, Dr. Sharma-Lewis explains why kickin...

In this episode, Dr. Jeff Stawick, superintendent of CCSD #146, shares how is district is utilizing its Strategic Dashboard , powered by the ECRA Group , to not only tell the district's story to the community, but also be the main tool the district uses to measure progress toward the goals listed in its strategic plan.  Our podcast is sponsored by American Fidelity. Consider American Fidelity...

Oak Lawn-Hometown SD #123 Superintendent Dr. Paul Enderle shares the steps his school district is taking to increase the engagement of culturally diverse families in his district. This podcast is sponsored by American Fidelity. Consider American Fidelity for a different opinion on employer benefit solutions for education.  

Summer is here but that doesn't mean learning has to stop. In this episode, we speak to Dr. Nicole Howard, assistant superintendent for Academics and Student and Family Services at  Proviso Township High Schools District # 209, to learn how their district expanded its summer programming for students. Our podcast is sponsored by American Fidelity. Consider American Fidelity for a different opi...

In a follow up to our ESSA and Strategic Dashboard academies, IASA is offering a new academy titled Evidence-Based Leadership: Using Data to Drive Immediate and Lasting Improvements, presented by Dr. Don White and Dr. Rich Voltz. In this episode, we  interview superintendents Dr. Tim Arnold, superintendent of Center Cass SD #66, and Shane Gordon, superintendent of Bluford Unit School District...

Dr. David Moyer, superintendent of Elmhurst CU #205, shares with IASA how his district is tapping into the creativity of his staff to drive student learning and think about how education needs to evolve to fit the needs of a changing economy.  This podcast is sponsored by American Fidelity. Consider American Fidelity for a different opinion on employer benefit solutions for education.  

Dr. Jason Helfer, deputy superintendent for teaching and learning at ISBE, has studied the teacher shortage extensively in Illinois. In this episode, IASA speaks to Helfer about how ISBE is addressing the teacher shortage. The conversation also focuses on where things stand with the basic skills test, alternative licensure and other factors contributing to the problem. This podcast is sponsored by...

IASA spoke with new Illinois State Superintendent Dr. Carmen Ayala to learn more about her background, views about ISBE and her goals as leader of the new state agency. This podcast is sponsored by American Fidelity. Consider American Fidelity for a different opinion on employer benefit solutions for education.  

If you have ever had questions about how the Food Distribution Program for schools works this short Q&A podcast with Paula Williams, principal consultant in ISBE's nutrition division, is a good resource for you. In the podcast, Williams answers questions like how the program can help your budget and what happens when districts don't utilize all of their allocated Food Distribution Program fund...

Elgin Area School District U-46 is launching two online physical education courses that will allow some high school students to track their own wellness by self-monitoring and recording their weekly physical activity outside school using heart-rate monitors. In this episode, IASA speaks to Tracey Jakaitis, U-46 student wellness curriculum coordinator, about why their district elected to try this a...

Fenton School District 100 was recently named Advanced Placement District of the Year. In this episode, IASA speaks to Fenton School District 100 Superintendent James Ongtengco about how his district was able to achieve this honor, and what other districts can do to improve AP programs in their districts.  Our podcast is sponsored by American Fidelity. Consider American Fidelity for a differe...