Share Your Genius

Education is all about community. Every student needs a support system they can rely on. In this inspiring episode, host Amanda Bratten sits down with <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lumamufleh/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Luma Mufleh</a>, an activist, author, entrepreneur, and founder of <a href="https://fugeesfamily.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Fugees Family</a>, the only network of schools in the U.S. dedicated to refugee and immigrant education. A Jordanian immigrant of Syrian descent, Luma shares her personal experiences and how they have fueled her unwavering commitment to empowering refugee and immigrant children through education. Throughout the conversation, Luma imparts invaluable lessons on creating change. She emphasizes the importance of not taking no for an answer and fearlessly advocating for what is needed to ensure the success of her students.

Creating Schools Where Every Student Belongs: How Luma Mufleh is Changing Lives Through Education

Trust and support are pivotal in creating positive relationships within school districts and the stronger those ties are, the more a district can thrive. In this episode, host <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandabratten/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Amanda Bratten</a> speaks with <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-beals-55a753132/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chris Beals</a>, Project Manager for the <a href="https://wasa-oly.org/wasa/#gsc.tab=0" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Washington Association of School Administrators</a> or WASA, a seasoned educator with over 28 years of experience in supporting administrators and teachers. Throughout the episode, Chris emphasizes the significance of understanding the realities faced by educators in the classroom and he shares practical strategies that district administrators can implement to build stronger, more positive relationships with their staff. Listen in to discover the transformative power of empathy, effective communication, and taking the time to truly listen to teachers' challenges and triumphs. Learn how even a small amount of trust can empower educators to take risks, grow professionally, and ultimately enhance student learning experiences. You’ll learn how to: <ul><li>Create a trusting environment where educators feel supported and valued</li></ul> <ul><li>Demonstrate genuine support and foster a collaborative culture where everyone feels heard and understood</li></ul> <ul><li>Be intentional in your decision-making to create a more meaningful and effective learning experience for our students</li></ul> Key moments to listen for: [02:25] Chris’s journey into education [04:02] Inspiring others to see their own potential [09:19] "Exquisite instruction is about being intentional in every moment." [16:04] Lessons from Ted Lasso [22:36] Noticing and naming the good work of educators [25:14] Takeaways from the conversation Stay Connected with Chris: <ul><li><a href="https://wasa-oly.org/wasa/#gsc.tab=0" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">On the web</a></li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-beals-55a753132/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">On Linkedin</a></li></ul>

Chris Beals

Project Manager, Washington Association of School Administrators

How to Empower Schools and District Staff with Chris Beals

As educators, it's essential to model curiosity and encourage students to explore ideas. By asking questions, we can uncover hidden barriers and understanding. In this episode, host <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandabratten/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Amanda Bratten</a> sits down with <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-thayne-86b2744/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Lisa Thayne</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/khovanec/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Katie Hovanec</a> from the <a href="https://propello.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Propello</a> team to discuss the power of inquiry-based learning. These outstanding educators share their experiences and insights on creating a dynamic learning environment where students are engaged and eager to explore. They discuss practical strategies that will help educators implement inquiry-based learning in their classrooms and foster deep, meaningful connections with their students. Listen in to learn how to ask the right questions to encourage students to arrive at their own answers and provide students with the framework to observe, organize, and question to connect the dots and truly understand the material. You’ll learn how to: <ul><li>Embrace discomfort as part of the learning process to create a classroom environment that fosters critical and creative thinking</li><li>Reflect on and learn from failures, it’s a crucial component of inquiry-based learning</li><li>Foster engagement by asking students how they arrived at their answers and encouraging them to make connections with their own experiences and perspectives</li></ul> Stay Connected: <ul><li>On the web - <a href="https://propello.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://propello.com/</a></li><li>On LinkedIn - <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-thayne-86b2744/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Lisa</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/khovanec/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Katie</a></li></ul>

From Mistakes to Growth: How Inquiry-Based Learning Sparks Classroom Innovation

In today's rapidly evolving educational landscape, the traditional model of schooling is being redefined to better engage and empower students in their learning journey.&nbsp; Join host Amanda Bratten as she sits down with Dr. <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-dean-ed-d-bba941137/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Elizabeth Dean</a>, Director of Learning at <a href="https://www.villageschoolnova.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Village School</a> in Virginia. Noticing the gaps and opportunities in the educational landscape from her own experience as a student, Elizabeth chose to become an educator who is paving a new approach to teaching and learning as we know it. A proponent of student-centered learning, Elizabeth encourages project-based learning, play, and curiosity as key components of an engaging and impactful education. Join us as we explore student-centered learning and what it looks like to give students more agency in traditional educational settings.

Student-Centered Learning and its Role in Revolutionizing Education

From mathematics to literature, the world of learning is full of endless discovery. Beyond memorizing facts and figures, learning is made meaningful when it is made relevant. This shift in our teaching approach is essential to help our students build a solid and genuine understanding of their learning materials.&nbsp; Join host Amanda Bratten as she sits down with a trailblazer in education, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-tonya-clarke-02360028" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Dr. Tonya Clarke</a>, Mathematics Coordinator at <a href="https://www.clayton.k12.ga.us" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Clayton County Public School System</a>. Driven by a profound belief in the power of educational practices., Dr. Clarke has reimagined the classroom experience. From cultivating perseverance and problem-solving skills to instilling precision and deeper understanding, her teaching philosophy transcends equations and formulas. She equips students with the tools to decipher structures, enabling them not only to solve math problems, but to craft their own equations with newfound confidence. Join us as we discuss Dr. Clarke's teaching strategies that have reshaped the landscape of math education in her district and explore how her innovative approach is equipping students with skills that transcend the classroom and extend into their broader lives.

Bridging the Gap: How Dr. Tonya Clarke is Making Learning Relevant and Exciting for Students

Creating an inclusive learning space for all students is quite a challenge, and even experienced educators are still grappling with meeting every student's needs. Join host Amanda Bratten and special guest Anthony Vargas, a passionate advocate for talent development and equitable education, for an exciting conversation about the needs of gifted and advanced learners. We'll also delve into the significance of adopting a growth mindset. In this episode, Anthony highlights the lack of formal training for teachers and its repercussions on underserved students. We'll also explore Anthony's three-pronged change process for success, which involves policy, accountability, and support. As a teacher, administrator, and student, Anthony inspires us to introspect on our contributions to inequities and take action to foster a more inclusive and nurturing education system. Get ready to dive into this thought-provoking conversation and discover how we can all play a role in shaping a brighter future for our students.

Challenging the Status Quo: Redefining Success and Accountability in Education

A school's culture and connectedness play a vital role in establishing an exceptional learning environment for students. It is the shared responsibility of teachers and principals to actively maintain the health and well-being of this environment. Join host Amanda Bratten for an insightful conversation with <a href="https://petermdewitt.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Peter DeWitt</a>, a former teacher and principal (now leadership coach), as they discuss building healthier and more effective teams within a school. In this episode, Peter shares his experience on topics such as success criteria, collective efficacy, teacher autonomy, and developing a collaborative learning environment. Along the way he emphasizes the importance of good teaching and measuring impact in decision-making, while also sharing practical tools for enhancing communication and engagement during presentations and workshops. Through Peter’s first-hand experience, learn how trust and honest feedback are crucial for creating a culture of connectedness and taking something from good to outstanding.

Culture and Connectedness: Taking Teaching from Good to Outstanding

What’s propelling the future of education forward? Education is more than memorization and test taking. True learning permeates every aspect of our lives. It doesn’t end once we leave the classroom. It’s about creating learning experiences that last a lifetime. Education Uncharted is where you turn to make that a reality. Join host Amanda Bratten as she reignites the spark that led you to education. You’ll learn from the greatest minds breaking you out of the status quo and leading you into exciting, uncharted territory. Their conversations equip you with a new way to think, lead, and teach. Because the greatest gift we can give is education.

Creating Schools Where Every Student Belongs: How Luma Mufleh is Changing Lives Through Education

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Amanda Bratten

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