Learning Unlocked

Guests: Wendy Peterson and Julia Salce In this episode, the three of us dive into different types of assessment and how they each impact learning. We also discuss how to create a feedback-friendly culture in the classroom.  Want to know more? Bookmark us: https://linktr.ee/GPSPGD TransFormative Assessment by W. James Popham. "When teachers stop learning, so do students." -Jim Knight Check out our...

Guests: Julia Salce and Wendy Peterson In this episode, we face "the beginning of the end" of this school year by unlocking three ways to painlessly pivot in order to wrap up this quarter in a positive and productive way. Want to learn more? "This Year, Take "Self-Care" Off Your "To-Do" List" by Michelle Trujillo Uncommon Sense Teaching by Barbara Oakley, PhD, Beth Rogowsky, EdD, and Terrence J. S...

Today's episode is from season 1, episode 7 on Creating Active Learning Experiences . In this episode, Julia Salce debunks the myths of direct instruction and discusses the high-impact of blending short bursts of instruction with active learning experiences (ALEs), no matter the age group or content area. We also discuss briefly the importance of teacher and student clarity in relation to direct i...

Guests: Julia Salce & Wendy Peterson, Instructional Specialists Gilbert Public Schools Professional Growth & Development As we enter into "testing season," we address high-stakes test preparation. In the episode, we dive into the "dos" and "don'ts" of test prep and the importance of using retrieval practice as an effective strategy in creating quality learning and test prep throughout the entire s...

Guests: Wendy Peterson and Julia Salce Instructional Specialists, Gilbert Public Schools In this episode, we chat about creating effective and efficient substitute plans and discuss ways to make this process more beneficial all.  Want our easy-to-use substitute template for FREE and recipes for those under the weather? Links above not working? Visit our website to download! 

This week's episode is a bonus episode. As you all know, we are in the midst of another COVID surge. For this short episode, I would like to speak directly to you drawing inspiration from a renowned educator, Caitlin Tucker and psychotherapist, Esther Perel to review the new format the podcast is taking for Season 4.  Thanks for listening, Brit 

Guest: Suzanne Lunt, Instructional Coach In this season finale, Suzanne provides practical strategies for educators to use to be more present over winter break in order to return to school both mentally and emotionally, as well as how to balance work and life during the rest of the school year.  Want more from Suzanne? IG: @kickingincoaching  suzanne.lunt@gilbertschools.net The Essence of a Mother...

Guest: Dawn Koberstein Principal, Mesquite Elementary School In this episode, Dawn and Brit look back on their own classroom blunders, such as group work and cold calling , and provide simple strategies to correct these missteps in order to positively impact the learning experience for both the teacher and the students. Want more from Dawn? dawn.koberstein@gilbertschools.net  

Guests: Julia Salce and Wendy Peterson, Instructional Specialists In this episode, we are back again focusing on the INSTRUCT domain of our district's Instructional Framework. We dive deep into what high-quality instruction looks like in the classroom and focus on three key areas: teacher clarity , intentionality , and student engagement. And of course, rapid fire questions!  Want more from our in...

Guests: Dale Lunt, Elementary Principal and Brittany Brady, Social Worker Gilbert Public Schools In this episode, Dale and Brittany share with Brit how they have implemented practical strategies for restorative discipline on their elementary campus and have had success with this approach with many students and families in the community.  Want to learn more? dale.lunt@gilbertschools.net   Principal...

Guests: Wendy Peterson and Julia Salce Instructional Specialists, Gilbert Public Schools With the help of pumpkin-pie coffee and candy corn, we review the concept of lesson design in this episode. We discuss how lesson design differs from lesson planning and dive into what the phrase "high-yield" means when it comes to instructional strategies and intentional instruction.  Want more from PGD? juli...

Guest: Dr. Sean Lively  Principal, Ben Carson High School In this episode, Brit and Sean discuss his findings on the Detroit Promise Scholarship. Promise scholarship programs in large urban cities, like Detroit, can have significant impact not only on our students but our communities. We consider how a scholarship program like this would be beneficial locally and how the use of high-yield instruct...

Guests: Wendy Peterson and Julia Salce  Instructional Specialists, Gilbert Public Schools  Connecting with students, colleagues, and the community is foundational to education -- as Julia Salce and Wendy Peterson discuss with me in this episode. Our district has created an Instructional Framework focused squarely on student learning, including the five domains: Connect, Design, Instruct, Assess, a...

Guest: Matthew Moix, PD.D, NCSP Coordinator of Psychological Services In this episode, Brit and Matt discuss the effects of mental health on student learning. Matt also provides strategies, learning supports, and actionable steps all teachers can use to create a mentally healthy learning space . Want more from Matt? matthew.moix@gilbertschools.net

Guest: Kareem Farah CEO and Co-Founder of the Modern Classrooms Project In this first episode of season 3, Brit is joined by Kareem who was awarded the 2018 Standing Ovation Award for Excellence in Classroom Innovation for his blended, self-paced, mastery-based approach to teaching and learning. This conversation provides a basic overview of this approach and revolves around one of MCPs core value...

Guest: Melissa Hosten Co-Director at the University of Arizona Center for Recruitment and Retention of Mathematics Teachers In this episode, debunking the myth of 'learning loss' is the focus. Melissa discusses her research findings and invites listeners to "hear the voices" of students and teachers from this past school year, including their challenges, but also their learning and growth . As thi...

Guest: Kim Haase K-6 Math Specialist In this episode, Brit and Kim discuss the importance of building a math culture that is based in confidence. This can be accomplished by reimagining the way math has be traditionally taught and using " Just in Time Math PD: Math in Minutes ."  Want more from Kim? kim.haase@gilbertschools.net  

Guest: Bobson Wong  High School Math Teacher, NYC In this episode, Brit and Bobson do the heavy lifting to learn the ropes of The Math Teacher's Toolbox: Hundreds of Practical Ideas to Support Your Students  written by Bobson and Larisa Bukalov. This resource provides teachers with  fresh, engaging, and hands-on strategies for students make connections across mathematical units and decrease "math...

Guest: Melinda Murphy, M.Ed Principal, Highland High School  In this episode, Melinda and Brit discuss trials--and triumphs--all those that come with balancing the administrative side of administration with the i nstructional leadership  side of administration. Her insight enriches not just principals but  all interested in moving schools forward. Listen in to learn the steps taken on her campus t...

Guest: Julia Salce, M.Ed and NBCT Instructional Specialist In this episode, Julia and I discuss the impact of homework on students. We even delve into our  own  past blunders as teachers with homework  and our experiences with homework with our own children. Because of our conflicting feelings, we dug into the research to see what we could learn--and that is what we'll discuss and share with you t...

Guest: Jenna Quarelli-Buck Secondary ELA Curriculum Coordinator In this episode, Brit and Jenna chat about how crucial literacy skills are for students to be engaging in their school careers. We also reveal a simple strategy that can be used to help scaffold students into becoming critical and sophisticated readers and writers in any content area . Want more from Jenna? jenna.quarellibuck@gilberts...

Guest: Tara Dale NBCT, Author, and Instructional Coach In this episode, Tara shares with Brit pieces of her resource book, The Science Teacher's Toolbox and how she feels that even though the book is geared towards science teachers, all teachers can gain fresh strategies for their classrooms. The book also includes ways to promote a culturally responsive science classroom. Here is a sneak peak of...

Guest: Wendy S. Peterson Instructional Specialist  In this episode, Wendy and Brit examine the four components of teacher credibility : trust, dynamism, competence, and immediacy, and how they are closely intertwined with classroom management.  Want more from Wendy? FB Page: Inspiring Instruction; Email: nanawsp@yahoo.com

Guest: Stacey Pasquel Technology Integration Educator  In this episode, Stacey and I discuss technology's tie to learning design, especially since the past nine months have reshaped students' learning experiences. Additionally, we dive into blended learning and how it creates student-centered learning opportunities in pacing, voice, and choice.  Want more from Stacey? Email: stacey.pasquel@gilbert...

Guest: Heidi Martin 1st Grade Teacher and Social Media Director for Whole Brain Teaching  In this episode, Heidi and I dig into how the WBT (Whole Brain Teaching) Basics benefits ALL students of ALL ages in ALL learning environments. We discuss what WBT is and is not and how it can empower students to take ownership of their learning.  Want more from Heidi? IG @wholebrainwithheidi or Join one of t...