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Education Evolution

Education Evolution

By: Maureen O’Shaughnessy
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 Education Evolution, where we talk about today’s education: what’s broken, who’s fixing it, and how. We need to holistically serve a wide variety of learners and address academic, social, and emotional needs and we do that by making change happen today. Founded by Maureen O’Shaughnessy of Micro-Schools Coalition and Leadership Preparatory Academy in Seattle, Education Evolution is designed to start the conversation to transform the education system of today. Alternative education strategies including working with parents and colleagues, classroom management, lesson planning, activities, games, and more. Along with helping challenged students and those facing difficulty to find success.

What if we harnessed alternative and conventional resources and each child was seen, heard, valued, and met where they were academically, socially, and emotionally, with the goals of thriving NOW and being prepared for a productive, happy, and healthy adulthood?

Sadly, this isn’t what’s happening today. But that doesn’t mean those of us who know better have to stick with the status quo.

You’ll hear regularly from Maureen and guests from all corners of the educational landscape–from micro-school founders to concerned parents to journalists to lawmakers and decision-makers. Join the conversation today, we’re all in this together.Education Evolution
Episodes
  • 182. Life with Passion and Purpose

    182. Life with Passion and Purpose
    Oct 3 2023
    The guiding principle of Education Evolution has been to light passion among educational leaders and to spark them into action. Over the last few years, I believe we’ve done just that. And while the work isn’t over yet, the time has come to put a pause on the podcast.   As an advocate for lifelong learning, this week on the podcast I’m sharing what that looks like for me right now. I’ve been working hard to decode what I’ve learned in acts one and two of life and how I can take those learnings and make act three the best it can be.   Listen in as I share the journey that’s happened during many years in education, what I’ve learned, and what’s important moving forward. The journey most definitely isn’t over, but it’s okay for it to change along the way.   Jump in the Conversation:   [1:18] - Aligning learner experience with passion and purpose [1:40] - Lifelong passion and purpose as important guiding lights in every phase [3:30] - Processing & reflecting [5:02] - How to encourage lifelong learning in the third act [5:28] - Takeaways from a deep dive [5:48] - There are a lot of resources out there for third acts [10:16 - Exploration going in different directions [11:17] - Fitness has a role in third act well-being [12:20] - Importance of community in longevity [14:07] - Reengaging in spiritual community [15:09] - The next phase for me   Links & Resources   Third Act Environmental Boomer Community Third Act Magazine: Aging with Confidence (with free online digital materials) Life’s Third Act TEDx Talk Annual Life Review Process Psychology Today Life Review article Successful People article The Third Act: Reinventing Your Next Chapter book Wiser Than Me podcast with Julia Louis-Dreyfus  Younger Next Year book 10% Happier podcast longevity series  The Art of Anti-Aging Dr. Joel Fuhrman’s Eat to Live podcast Blue Zones Microschool grant project for Getting Smart’s Learning Innovation Fund Email Maureen Maureen’s TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools The Education Evolution Facebook: Follow Education Evolution Twitter: Follow Education Evolution LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution EdActive Collective Maureen’s book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids Micro-school feature on Good Morning America The Micro-School Coalition Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition LEADPrep
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    18 mins
  • 181. Unlocking the World of Literacy with Marnie Ginsburg

    181. Unlocking the World of Literacy with Marnie Ginsburg
    Sep 26 2023
    Reading is simple, right? Not for everyone, and it’s especially challenging for those who don’t have access to all the tools and resources they need to be successful.   This week we hear from Marnie Ginsburg, founder of Reading Simplified, who has dedicated her career to improving reading proficiency in students. She discusses the critical need to disseminate research-backed strategies to teachers, bridging the gap between what we know and what happens in the classroom.   During our conversation, we explore the scientific foundations of reading, the role of phonemes, decoding, and phonological awareness. Marnie provides valuable insights into supporting children with dyslexia and shares tips for fostering a love of reading.   From extrinsic motivation to the magic of public libraries, this episode explores the multifaceted world of literacy and emphasizes the importance of equipping our children with the tools they need to unlock the joy of reading, even before they step into a classroom.   About Marnie Ginsburg:   Marnie Ginsberg, Founder of Reading Simplified, is a reading difficulties detective who streamlines the science and art of reading instruction so teachers can rapidly learn effective techniques that help students accelerate to grade level and beyond. She also helps translate the latest understandings from science into practical, easy-to-implement activities.   In the late 1990s, Marnie uncovered that her 6th-grade language arts students, on average, were reading 2 years below grade level. And despite her master’s degree and enthusiasm, she had no idea how to remediate their word-reading difficulties.   After eventually finding solutions for her struggling readers, she led the development of the Targeted Reading Intervention at the University of North Carolina. Across 15+ years, multiple research articles have demonstrated that struggling K-2 readers grow significantly in reading with the Targeted Reading Intervention (TRI), which is on the federal What Works Clearinghouse and is endorsed by many organizations such as Evidence for ESSA and RAND Corporation’s Promising Practices Network. Given the repeated, strong results of the TRI across multiple clinical trials, Dr. Ginsberg expanded the resources and adapted the professional learning approach to provide Reading Simplified for a broader audience beginning in 2013.   Jump in the Conversation:   [1:36] - Where Marnie’s story of learning transformation began [3:42] - It’s not because reading the words are too hard - 67% of American 4th graders are not proficient in reading [4:43] - What we need to prepare readers is known by researchers, but we need to disseminate that information to teachers [5:21] - Two major events that have impacted Marnie’s work [6:46] - What “targeted reading intervention” means [9:17] - What pieces of reading are science and what pieces are art [13:13] - Tips for kids with dyslexia [18:13] - Who Reading Simplified is for [19:06] - How to make reading more fun for kids [23:24] - Turbo Time [26:20] - Marnie’s Magic Wand [27:20] - Maureen’s Takeaways   Links & Resources   Reading Simplified Reading Meetings Interview The Coddling of the American Mind Email Maureen Maureen’s TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools The Education Evolution Facebook: Follow Education Evolution Twitter: Follow Education Evolution LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution EdActive Collective Maureen’s book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids Micro-school feature on Good Morning America The Micro-School Coalition Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition LEADPrep
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    32 mins
  • 180. Leading Like a Teacher with Miriam Plotinsky

    180. Leading Like a Teacher with Miriam Plotinsky
    Sep 19 2023
    The further away administrators get from their roots as teachers, the more they forget what it’s like to be in the trenches. The result is often either a real or perceived lack of empathy for teachers.   Both teachers and administrators have vital roles in the school, and it’s important for both to have mutual respect for one another. To achieve this, administrators need to take a step back and really listen to teachers. How? By being more visible, asking questions, and seeking out teachers as the answers to the challenges in their buildings.   This week on the podcast, we’re welcoming back author and educator Miriam Plotinsky. She’s sharing about her latest book, Lead Like a Teacher, and talking about what school leaders can do to build more trust and a more collaborative school environment. Of course, there’s an element for teachers in there too, and how they can look at school, teacher, and student needs through a different lens.   About Miriam Plotinsky:   Miriam Plotinsky is an author and instructional specialist who addresses challenges in both teaching and leading across schools with a wide range of differentiated needs. A strong advocate for student-centered learning, she provides coaching and professional development for teachers and administrators. She has written Teach More, Hover Less: How to Stop Micromanaging Your Secondary Classroom and Lead Like a Teacher: How to Elevate Expertise in Your School (W.W. Norton, 2022 & 2023). Miriam is widely published in education publications such as Education Week, Edutopia, ASCD Express, Middleweb, The Teaching Channel, EdSurge, K-12 Talk and Education World and is a frequent guest on education podcasts internationally. She is also a National Board-Certified Teacher with additional certification in administration and supervision. She can be found on her website or on Twitter: @MirPloMCPS.   Miriam’s third book, Writing Their Future Selves, releases in November.   Jump in the Conversation:   [1:48] - Miriam's empathy framework [3:27] - Miriam's unique background in education [6:15] - There’s a complicated relationship between teachers and administrators [8:19] - There’s a need for empathy on both sides [9:12] - How Lead Like a Teacher addresses empathy [13:15] - How to foster mutual understanding and respect between teachers and administrators [15:45] - There’s a balance between toxic positivity and and miring yourself in the negativity that exists [17:00] - Unpacking teacher observations and evaluations [21:51] - Most school leaders feel attached to instruction but there’s so much happening that they can’t always participate [23:41] - A teacher observation that goes wrong [25:08] - Everything you see is data [27:55] - Leadership positions are often lonely [30:47] - Make what you do really transparent [32:12] - Steps school leaders can do to start building trust and a collaborative environment [33:56] - A sneak preview of Miriam’s third book [36:55] - Turbo Time [39:30] - What people need to know about closing the teacher-administrator empathy gap [41:32] - Miriam’s Magic Wand [42:31] - Maureen’s Takeaways   Links & Resources   Episode 132: The Heart of Learning is Intentional Teaching Author of Teach More, Hover Less, Lead Like a Teacher & Writing Their Future Selves Twitter: @MirPloMCPS Visit Miriam’s website Email Maureen Maureen’s TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools The Education Evolution Facebook: Follow Education Evolution Twitter: Follow Education Evolution LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution EdActive Collective Maureen’s book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids Micro-school feature on Good Morning America The Micro-School Coalition Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition LEADPrep
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    47 mins

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