Schurtz and Ties: A podcast about education and culture

The problem with professional development is that it is so often done poorly. The other problem is that even though they are done poorly, they're required. They also aren't going away. As educators, we need to do better. In this episode, Brian and Kasey discuss some of the reasons why PD has historically been so bad and why educators have lost interest. More importantly though, they offer...

"Build relationships," we say. But what does that mean? What does that look like? In this episode, Brian and Kasey (well, mostly Kasey) provide some purpose to the over generalized statement, breakdown what it means and looks like, and provide tangible guidelines to building healthy relationships. Sometimes love . . . Looks like structure Lacks emotion Looks selfish Keeps what is ours Lo...

Acknowledging culture is to see the person. Their heritage, their values, and their familial norms. Ignoring culture is to frustrate, separate, suppress, and oppress. Healthy schools celebrate culture and share stories. In this episode, Brian and Kasey invite Dr. Tina Curry in to discuss how schools can best recognize all students, celebrate stories, and embrace cultural difference. Dr. Tina Curry...

Few people understand the current and future landscape of education like Steve Bollar. As an educational leader and master motivator, " Stand Tall Steve " "works with forward-thinking organizations to generate new ideas, improve climate/culture and maximize leadership skills." In this episode, Brian and Kasey sit with Mr Bollar and discuss culture and climate, the art of public...

What does it mean for a school to be whole-child centered? What does it mean to be a mentally and physically healthy school? And more importantly, what do they look like and how do we get there? In this episode, Brian and Kasey sit with Timothy Dohrer  and  Thomas Golebiewski and wrestle through those questions, discover real and purposeful answers, and gain a further understanding of what schools...

AI is here to stay. And as educators, we've been told that we must be prepared to embrace it, to teach about it, with it, and around it. But how? In this episode, Brian and Kasey invite Vera Cubero, a GenAI Enthusiast, AI Literacy Trainer, and Content Creator to share her experience, expertise, and wisdom of AI integration. Vera Cubero is also an experienced educator with a wide range of exper...

The best runners run hardest at the end. And as we enter the final weeks of the school year, as our exhaustion threatens to overcome and encourage us to coast, it is imperative that we dig in and finish the year strong. In this episode, Brian and Kasey share stories and ideas of how we might do that, intentionally and purposefully. References: - World's slowest marathon time: 54 years - Michae...

Voldemort was the one “who shall not be named.” In The Village, the creatures in the woods were “those we don’t speak of.” Yet, they were the driving force to the story. Engagement is no different. It may be the tabu word we often avoid, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t directly impacting our schools. Through clarity and empathy for demands of this profession, Brian and Kasey confront that which sha...

Happy Spring Break! Here are a few Schurtz and Ties favorites. Hopefully, it can add some beauty and intentionality to your break! Growing Pains, by Alessia Cara Scared to Start, by Michael Marcagi I Wish I Was the Moon, by Neko Case Run Away to Mars, by Talk Epiphany, by Taylor Swift Texas Hold 'Em, by Beyonce Tiny Moves, by Bleachers This Is Me Trying, by Taylor Swift The Old Engine Oil, by...

With Kasey out of town, guest Darrin Peppard steps in to talk about how we can nail our next interview. Darrin is an author, publisher, speaker, and consultant focused on what matters most in leadership. Darrin’s an expert in school culture and climate as well as coaching and growing emerging leaders. He is known for his keen insight, culture-first leadership style, and dynamic personality. He als...

Inspired by an Adam Grant episode, Is your organization a little culty? with NXIVM whistleblower Sarah Edmondson , Brian and Kasey ask the same question about education . . . is it a little culty? Potential red lights of a cult include the assumption of neediness, that it comes at a great cost, has loaded language, and claims to have all the answers. All of which can be attributed to education Doe...

Are kids really struggling? Is their technology-driven life truly as bad as we make it out to be? Maybe. Maybe not! Are phones ruining our students? Is there a romanticism to yesteryear's boredom? Are the dangers real? Unprecedented? Or are they similar struggles that every generation has wrestled with before, just slightly different? Yes, but also, haven't we said this for years? In this...

Mental health is a hot topic, especially in public education. The problem is, how do we honestly and purposefully wrestle with it without tripping on the buzzwords? Who do we service first, students or staff? And what role can educators play in helping others when we too are struggling? In this episode, we invite Charlie Peck to help us find answers to some obvious and not-so-obvious questions tha...

Are boys lost in education? Are teachers struggling? And should educational leaders be student-centered, or teacher-centered? In this episode, Hal Bowman, the mastermind behind Teach Like a Rockstar, Be the One, and co-author of Dear Teacher: 100 days of Inspirational Quotes and Thank You, Teacher helps us answer these questions and much more. You can find out more about Mr Bowman at halbowman.com...

Erica Heilman is the host of Rumble Strip, the #1 Podcast of 2022 by The New Yorker and among the top 10 podcasts of 2022 by The New York Times, and is described as “an antidote to the eternal question, “For who? For what?” In this episode, Kasey and Brian chat with Erica about the power of stories and storytelling. About what isn't important, and what is. References: - Small True Things - Fin...

The melancholy of winter is real. Ignoring It won't help. Neither will wallowing in it. Acknowledging it, however, will. In the episode, Brian and Kasey discuss the dark side of motivation and wrestle with potential solutions. Keep showing up Lesson from semi-rad - “Ideas about changing the world in 7 charts” “We don’t have to engage in grand, heroic actions to participate in the process of ch...

Superheroes can save the world, but can they teach children? Should they be in your classroom? Our schools? In this episode, Kasey and Brian discuss the qualities of their favorite superheroes and whether or not they should be allowed to teach children. Do they have reverence? Are they patient? Can we trust them? References: - The Hero's Journey - The Rise of Wolf 8 Show Sponsors: Schurtz and...

The future of American education is set. Especially when seen through the lens of history. That doesn't mean we don't have a choice. Because we do. Dr. Flamm explains how. Over 20 years ago, Dr. Flamm changed the trajectory of Kasey's life. In this episode, Kasey has the opportunity to thank his treasured professor, discuss the history of education, and wrestle with how it can (and sho...

Jim Papoulis is a world renowned conductor (not trains). He also works directly and consistently in schools and with students from all walks of life, using music as a bridge to guide students toward "self empowerment, self esteem, cooperation, commitment, and discipline." He is also a master teacher. In this episode, Jim connects the art of conducting to the intricacies and difficulties...

Happy New Year

"You can either entertain guests or clean up the house, but you can't do both." The same can be said about reflection and action. In this episode, Brian and Kasey discuss the importance of reflection, what we can learn from the actions of bison and not cows, and how mirrors do more than reflect. References: - Friday Thought : The Patience of Repair - Unexpected Kindness - Before bear...

Culture is the personality of the group. But how do we engage it? Change it? And challenge it? And how do schools - buildings and classrooms alike - intentionally create and define culture? In this episode, Brian and Kasey invite Jerry Jones (not that one) onto the show to talk about people, communities, and culture. And it is brilliant. Largely because Jerry says things like, "Curiosity live...

From "Don't let data be your Bible verse," disharmony bringing peace, and how trees can help us make decisions, in this episode, Brian and Kasey run through a list of thoughts that have been on their minds but not thought completely through. They're half-baked. Let us know which one piqued your interest! Show Sponsors: Schurtz and Ties is sponsored by PeerDrivenPD , a teacher tra...

Are educators consumed by the abyss of seriousness? Is fear winning? It certainly seems so. In this episode, Brian and Kasey wrestle with why it seems education is struggling to find joy, teach with confidence, and see beyond failure. They also focus on what education is doing well and the things that get educators excited about this unique profession. Quotes: - "He who fights with monsters m...

Parent involvement has the greatest impact on the success of a student and school community. Yet, very little time is spent discussing, wrestling with, and learning how best to engage parents and close the relationship gap. In this episode, Kasey and Brian get honest about why parents and schools struggle to understand each other, and what we - schools and parents - can do about it. The solution i...