Teaching Matters

This episode of Teaching Matters introduces audience members to Project Lead the Way through a discussion with Dr. Katie Minihan, Executive Vice President and Chief Impact Officer. The conversation examines the connection between student engagement, experiential learning, and community partners particularly in STEM education. Katie discusses the importance broader definitions of success beyond sta...

Alyssa Tormala, Head of School at Laurel Springs School, shares insights on online education, mastery-based learning, community building, and the role of technology like AI in modern schooling. Laurel Springs is a fully accredited online school. In our discussion, Alyssa discusses trends in online education as well as ways in which online educators adapt practices to help students grow. Laurel Spr...

This episode explores the effectiveness of professional development in K-12 education, featuring insights from Jim Hall, CEO of the K12 Coalition. Topics include strategies for impactful teacher training, the role of evidence-based practices, and the future of education with AI and other innovations. K12 Coalition: https://k12coalition.com

Natural disasters pose risks for schools that exceed typical planning efforts. When such disruptions occur, districts with mature and scalable plans are able to return to some sense of normalcy more quickly. Megan Kuhfeld, Director of Growth Modeling and Analytics with NWEA discusses a recently released research brief from NWEA discussing factors that should be considered when developing a mature...

In this episode of Teaching Matters, Scott Titsworth interviews Juliana Worrell, Chief Schools Officer for Uncommon Schools, about the challenges and strategies in fostering reading habits among students. They discuss the alarming statistics regarding Gen Z's reading preferences, the importance of engaging students with relevant texts, and the role of technology in education. Juliana’s comments em...

Lindsay Burns and Chelsea Herbert, Gifted intervention Coordinators at Chillicothe (OH) City Schools, discuss creation of the Excite Lab and its role in providing opportunities for gifted students. The discussion highlights the personal journeys of the educators involved, the community context of Chillicothe, and the integration of STEM and arts in education to fulfill the district’s objective of...

This episode introduces listeners to Lumos Learning, an online platform that helps students build confidence and success on state standardized tests. Mukunda Krishnaswamy, founder and CEO, and Rich Katz, Senior Superintendent in Residence at Lumos, discuss the evolving landscape of education, particularly focusing on the integration of AI in learning environments, strategies for improving student...

Brittanie Bates is the Senior Vice President and Principal of Crimson Global Academy, an internationally accredited online school. In this episode, Scott and Brittanie discuss the evolution of online education, Brittany's journey from traditional teaching to online education, the skills necessary for effective online teaching, and the importance of community building in virtual classrooms. The con...

In this conversation, Scott Titsworth and Shail Silver discuss the prevalence of speech disorders in children and the innovative solutions provided by Speech LP, an AI-driven platform designed to enhance speech therapy. Shail shares his personal journey into the ed-tech space, the development of the app, its features, and how it integrates with professional speech therapy. Speech LP is currently f...

Tom Livezey is the superintendent of Oak Ridge Public Schools in Muskegon, Michigan. In this episode, Tom discusses the evolution of communication between schools and parents, the importance of parent engagement, and innovative strategies to improve student attendance. Livezey shares insights from his extensive experience in education, emphasizing the need for community understanding and trust to...

This episode of Teaching Matters features Alix Guerrier, CEO of Donors Choose. Donors Choose is a nonprofit platform that matches teachers’ projects and needs with donors. Alix discusses the 25-year history of Donors Choose as well as recurring and emerging trends in what teachers are seeking to fund. Donors Choose: https://www.donorschoose.org YouTube: https://youtu.be/l-TACQgVs2Y

In this conversation, Scott Titsworth and Susan Riley explore the importance of creativity in education, particularly through arts integration and the challenges teachers face in fostering a creative environment. They discuss the impact of AI on creativity, the barriers posed by standardized testing, and the potential of leveraging students' unique experiences as resources for creative problem-sol...

In this conversation, Carmelo Piazza, the Executive Director of the Brooklyn Preschool of Science, discusses the importance of early childhood education, particularly through inquiry-based learning and STEAM concepts. He shares his journey into education, the philosophy behind his preschool, and the significance of creating a stimulating, screen-free learning environment for young children. The di...

This conversation explores the evolution of data usage in education, the founding of the Abre platform by Zach Vanderveen and Chris Rose, and how it addresses the challenges educators face with data management. The discussion highlights the importance of user experience, the role of AI in education, and ways in which data-driven platforms can assist districts in achieving a wide range of goals in...

In this episode of the Teaching Matters podcast, host Scott Titsworth engages with Aubrey Francisco and Michelle Tiu, co-executive directors of AERDF's EF+Math program, to discuss the critical role of executive function skills in enhancing math education. The discussion in this episode centers on evidence-based practices focused on improving math learning by strengthening students' executive funct...

In this episode, Scott Titsworth and Laura Stewart, Chief Academic Officer of the 95 Percent Group, discuss the current challenges in literacy education, particularly the alarming decline in reading scores among students. They explore the importance of the science of reading, the need for effective teaching practices, and the role of data in driving instructional decisions. Laura emphasizes the ne...

In this conversation, Scott Titsworth speaks with Catherine Townsend and Jeremy Goldstein about the National Mall's significance, its historical context, and the educational opportunities it presents. They discuss the Trust for the National Mall's initiatives, including preparations for the 250th anniversary of the United States, the launch of the National Mall Gateway, and the importance of civic...

Dr. Tahira DuPree Chase, the superintendent of the Westbury Union Free School District, discusses the critical role of communication in ensuring school safety. She emphasizes the importance of creating a culture of safety within schools, integrating various safety measures, and maintaining open lines of communication with parents and the community. Dr. Chase shares insights on the implementation o...

This conversation explores the critical issue of chronic absenteeism in schools, highlighting the findings from a comprehensive report by SchoolStatus. The discussion covers the importance of attendance, the data methodology used, and the patterns observed in absenteeism across different grade levels. Dr. Kara Stern emphasizes the significance of early interventions, effective communication strate...

In this episode, Scott Titsworth and Shawn Young discuss the critical role of student engagement in education, exploring Shawn's journey from physics teacher to Chief Platform Officer at HMH. They delve into the importance of gamification in the classroom, the integration of AI in education, and the need for meaningful learning experiences. The conversation highlights the impact of great teachers,...

Reading is a fundamental skill for students; unfortunately, reading comprehension is diminishing for students nationally. Rebecca Kockler is the Executive Director for Reading Reimagined, a program with the Advanced Education Research and Development Fund (https://aerdf.org/programs/reading-reimagined/). In our conversation we explore the challenges faced by students in reading comprehension, the...

In this conversation, Scott Titsworth and Jason McKenna discuss the challenges and opportunities in STEM education, particularly focusing on the integration of robotics in the classroom. They explore the importance of early engagement in STEM, the role of creativity in motivating students, and the need for effective professional development for teachers. McKenna shares his journey from teaching to...

In this episode of Teaching Matters, Scott Titsworth interviews Dr. David Lawrence, the superintendent of Dayton Public School District, discussing the challenges of teacher shortages, the innovative use of remote teachers, and the importance of a strong educational culture. Dr. Lawrence shares insights on the five C's approach, his journey into education, and the impact of technology on learning...

In this episode of Teaching Matters, Scott Titsworth interviews Dr. David Lawrence, the superintendent of Dayton Public School District, discussing the challenges of teacher shortages, the innovative use of remote teachers, and the importance of a strong educational culture. Dr. Lawrence shares insights on the five C's approach, his journey into education, and the impact of technology on learning...

Scott Titsworth and Stephanie Hickman Boyse discuss the psychological stress faced by college students and the importance of career guidance. Stephanie shares her personal journey from being a college student to becoming the co-founder and CEO of Jebbee, a free AI-driven platform that helps students explore career options and connect with professionals. Stephanie describes features of Jebbee and h...