Learning Unlocked

Guest: Kristin McCord, Instructional Specialist - Reading/ELA PreK-6 In this episode, Kristin shares the essential components of early reading instruction and explore what EVERY (PreK-12) educator needs to know to support young readers. From phonemic awareness and phonics to fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension, listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the foundational skills that set stude...

Guest: Jessica Smith, Arizona ACEs Consortium Educator In this episode, we unpack the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and explore how different types of stress—positive, tolerable, and toxic—shape student (and adult) behavior, learning, and engagement. This knowledge and awareness can help educators create safe, supportive environments where all students are better able to learn and...

Guest: Jennifer Kjar, ELA Resource Teacher at South Valley Junior High Listen in as veteran educator Jennifer shares how she personalizes the district ELA curriculum, scaffolds effectively for resource students, and strikes the perfect balance between high expectations and supportive practices. Full of practical tips and warm encouragement, this episode is a must-listen for any teacher looking to...

Guests: Kelly Jarett, Cassie Kutzbach, Claudia DeAlba, and Jenn Colvin  In this episode, educators will discover strategies for addressing common student behavior challenges like defiance, aggression, and emotional outbursts. They'll learn proven de-escalation techniques to manage misconduct and maintain classroom respect. Additionally, educators will gain insights into student dysregulation and h...

Guest: Alyssa Davis, Spectrum Elementary - 5th Grade In this episode, I sit down with Alyssa Davis to explore the power of active math learning strategies, including the transformative approach of Building Thinking Classrooms by Peter Liljedahl. We discuss practical ways to engage students, foster deep mathematical thinking, and create a classroom culture where every learner thrives. Even if you a...

Guests: Natalie Krafft, Oak Tree Elementary - Music and Marissa Gomez, Boulder Creek - Art In this episode, Brit chats with Natalie and Marissa about their world in special areas. We dive into the secrets of how these spaces boost brainpower for all students and snag some nifty tips on sprinkling art and music into regular classrooms too. Tune in for a chat that's sure to spark some joy! Resources...

Guest: Elizabeth Evans, Director of Civic Education Programs at Arizona State University In this episode, Brit and Liz bond over their common enemy: perfectionism! They share their own stories of overthinking and struggling to please others, while giggling their way through practical tips for beating the perfectionism blues. With their help, you'll be able to perform your best, without losing your...

Guest: Leslee Mizen-Stroud, Middle School Social Studies Teacher In this episode, Brit gets all the details on how Leslee is leveling up her teaching game with Classcraft! This edtech gem is a gamified tool that even non-gamers can rock with their students. Listen in as Leslee "spills the tea" on how Classcraft has revolutionized her teaching style and made her classroom a more engaging and dynami...

Guests: Trisha Shores & Marcus Hire, High School English and Social Science Teachers and Instructional Coaches In this episode, we discussed the intersection of teacher credibility and grading practices and beliefs, namely what it takes to shift the learning focus away from traditional grading and some of the toxic behaviors it can unintentionally create, to a culture that values mastery of learni...

Guest: Jammie Zimmer, Second Grade Teacher Joining Wendy for this podcast is Jammie Zimmer, a second grade teacher who excels at Building Community and Connection. Although she teaches young children, many of her ideas can easily be transferred to classes with older students. Most importantly, catch Jammie's enthusiasm, passion, and pure joy; her love of teaching will reignite yours! 

Guests: Brit Bingold, Julia Salce, and Wendy Peterson Our Professional Growth Instructional Specialists are 'put on the spot' as they discuss perspectives on teaching from veteran teachers. Listen to learn, be entertained, and "give 'them' a pencil"! 

Guest: Jordan Hall, Instructional Coach In this episode, Jordan and Brit celebrate episode 50 with one of our essential instructional routines: MOVEMENT! We discuss how purposeful movement utilizes strategies that allow students to move while processing content and how it enhances instruction rather than detracting from it.  Want to know more? Brit's GOGOMO Playlist on Spotify GOGOGO Strategy Expl...

Guest: Julia Salce, Instructional Specialist  In this episode, we 'unlock' formative assessment by discussing it through an instructional lens. How can educators provide students opportunities to say, do, make, or write, thus allowing teachers time to assess and collect learning evidence formatively? We discuss this question and work to answer it in today's conversation.  Want to learn more? Forma...

Guest: Shannon Jauregui, High School English Teacher In this episode, Shannon and Brit share their love for Kagan cooperative learning strategies and how to use them intentionally in the classroom. Want to learn more? Kagan Structures: A Miracle of Active Engagement Kagan Structures Elevate High School Achievement Cooperative Learning Quick Reference Guide

Guest: Trish Smith, 8th Grade Social Sciences Teacher In this episode, Trish shares with Brit how she leverages different types of note-taking in her classroom to help her students comprehend the material and remember what they have learned to reference for future lessons.   Want to learn more? Link It - Learn It - Log It Notes INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICE: Layering Notes Article III Economic Competitio...

Guest: Wendy Peterson In this episode, Brit and Wendy discuss two of John Hattie's highest rankings: Teacher Estimates of Student Achievement and Collective Teacher Efficacy. Despite their high effect sizes, both harbor "elephants" in the classroom, so we determine how to move past this to embrace and implement their power to accelerate student learning fully. Want to know more? Wendy's Estimates...

Guest: Julia Salce, Instructional Specialist  In this episode, Julia & Brit continue their conversation about using wait time in the classroom and its powerful effects on teachers. They also suggest strategies for Wait Time 1 & Wait Time 2.  Want to learn more? THE ARTICLE Budd Rowe.pdf Wait Time | Vanderbilt Tips for Implementation Wait-Time Strategies One-Pager made by Julia Salce

Guest: Julia Salce, M.Ed, NBCT & Instructional Specialist  In this episode, Julia and Brit GEEK OUT over their new learning about "wait time." We chat about how the brain learns through a "race-car vs. hiker brain" analogy and reveal how crucial wait time is for critical thinking and learner efficacy. Want to learn more? THE ARTICLE Budd Rowe.pdf Using Think Time to Let All Students Show What They...

Guests: Courtney McIntosh and Jennifer Reagan, Special Education Coordinators In this episode, Courtney and Jen answer four commonly asked questions from general education teachers about special education, including the similarities and differences between IEPs and 504 plans, as well as what basic understandings all teachers need to know about special education laws.   

Guest: Lindsay Wilson, Instructional Coach In this episode, Lindsay shares two strategies that create frequent opportunities to collect student classroom data that will help teachers make data driven decisions in their classrooms. Want more? Here are the resources from this episode: "My Favorite No" Strategy from The Teaching Channel The Power of Data: Instructional Strategies to Help You Create a...

Guest: Shawn Abele, District Technology Coordinator In this episode, Shawn shares several great tips and technology tools to assist students and teachers. We discuss how to use tech for engagement, efficiency, and ease.  Other top tools from Shawn: Google Slides Canva Whiteboard.chat Blooket Gimkit Quizziz Want to learn more from Shawn (or get the list of the Robot library)? shawn.abele@gilbertsch...

Guest: Julia Salce, Instructional Specialist  In this episode, Julia and I chat about the ways the brain learns and how and WHY the 'link-it-learn-it-log-it' strategy for note-taking and the 'blind brain dump' strategy for retrieval practice help ALL students learn.  Want more? julia.salce@gilbertschools.net Uncommon Sense Teaching by Barbara Oakley, Beth Rogowsky, and Terrence J. Sejnowski (the b...

Guests: Sarah Erhart, Ayn Kelly-Harris, Tammie Borden, and Wendy Peterson  In this episode, a few of our district instruction coaches stopped by to discuss the role of an instructional coach and explain how coaches are an essential part of student-centered learning and collective teacher efficacy.  Want to learn more? Visit: https://www.dianesweeney.com/

Guests: Julia Salce and Wendy Peterson, Instructional Specialists In this season finale, we discuss the last domain of our district Instructional Framework. The Reflect domain wraps of the mini-series we have done within Season 4.  Want to know more? Bookmark us:  https://linktr.ee/GPSPGD "Is Your Lesson a Grecian Urn?" by Jennifer Gonzalez Rapid Fire Questions from the Dare to Lead Podcast hosted...

Guests: Julia Salce and Wendy Peterson In this episode, we chat about what we are currently reading and provide a 'taste' of each instructional book and what it has to offer educators.  Instructional Books Discussed: Uncommon Sense Teaching by Barbara Oakley PhD, Beth Rogowsky EdD, Terrence J. Sejnowski   10 Mindframes for Visible Learning by John Hattie & Klaus Zierer  Instructional Agility by Ca...