Unlock the secrets of effective leadership and revolutionary education in our latest episode featuring Darrell Brown from ITAV (It Takes a Village) Schools. Discover how Darrell, as the Director of Teaching, Learning, and Quality Practice, utilizes servant leadership to build trust-based relationships with educators and overcome challenges like outdated technology. Learn how these innovative approaches not only create a positive working environment but also significantly enhance the educational experiences of young students.

We then pivot to the transformative potential of holistic education. Imagine schools that serve as comprehensive community hubs addressing not just educational needs but also family support, mental health, and food insecurities. Through the lens of ITAV Family of Schools, we illustrate the profound impact of providing these resources on fostering equity and inclusion. Get inspired by real-world examples of how intentional and proactive strategies can uplift entire communities and shift the educational landscape.

Topics Discussed in This Episode

• [00:00:00] Introduction
• [00:01:41] ITAV Schools and what Darrell does there
• [00:04:10] The concept of servant leadership and the importance of being a supportive resource and building trust-based relationships with educators
• [00:09:37] Parallels between what Darrwl does and how Teachstone is using CLASS
• [00:10:55] The role of ITAV Schools in addressing teacher shortages through workforce development programs, and how these efforts contribute to creating a positive working environment
• [00:16:07] What attracted Darrell to servant leadership
• [00:18:39] The transformative potential of holistic education, where schools serve as comprehensive community hubs addressing family support, mental health, and food insecurities
• [00:21:57]] The importance of being intentional and proactive in understanding and meeting the broader needs of students and their families to promote community growth and well-being
• [00:26:56] Replicating the holistic approach
• [00:31:01] How Darrell sees school evolving
• [00:34:47] The necessity of fighting for funding to sustain supportive educational initiatives and prevent teacher burnout and attrition

Resources

Marnetta Larrimer

Darrell Brown

Welcome to another enlightening episode of Impacting the Classroom. Today, we are joined by Oliver Spurgeon III, an esteemed education policy advocate with a unique perspective shaped by his diverse educational journey and extensive experience on Capitol Hill. In this episode, we dig into the intricacies of education policies from both the Republican and Democratic viewpoints, explore the cultural and financial challenges facing modern education, and discuss the significant role advocacy plays in shaping the future of our classrooms.

Our discussion delves into the varying educational platforms, highlighting how Democrats aim to improve mental health support, address funding disparities, and uphold tenure for experienced teachers. At the same time, Republicans focus on reducing educational spending, eliminating tenure, and promoting merit-based rewards. Oliver sheds light on the potential consequences of these divergent approaches on teachers and students, particularly those in challenging classroom environments. We also tackle the sensitive topics of representation and access for minority children, the burden on low-income families, and the controversial debates over charter schools and education savings accounts.

Topics Discussed in This Episode

• [00:00:00] Introduction
• [00:00:32] Introduction to Oliver Spurgeon III's background and his passion for addressing educational inequities
• [00:04:48] Overview of the key education policies that educators should focus on during the election year
• [00:12:19] Examination of the contrasting education platforms of the Republican and Democratic parties
• [00:08:46] Discussion on how differing political ideologies impact funding disparities, mental health supports, and teacher tenure
• [00:14:43] Analysis of representation and access issues for minority children and the challenges faced by low-income families
• [00:21:08] Insights into voter suppression and its implications for educational policy choices
• [00:24:30] Exploration of the high costs of early childhood education and the legislative efforts to alleviate this burden
• [00:27:22] Discussion on Project 2025 and its potential impact on early childhood education and AI's role in schools
• [00:31:12] Examination of the benefits and challenges of AI in education, including concerns about bias and teacher displacement
• [00:36:29] Emphasis on the importance of advocacy and practical advice for educators to engage with policymakers
• [00:37:56] What Oliver is hoping for next year

Resources

Marnetta Larrimer

Oliver Spurgeon III

Engaging children in science and engineering long before high school is important. It needs to start at much younger ages. But how can educators make that happen? And how can CLASS help?

Today, you’ll hear from Dr. Daryl Greenfield, a professor of Psychology and Pediatrics at the University of Miami, and Veronica Fernandez, Teachstone Senior Director of Social Impact. They’ll discuss their research into science and engineering at the preschool and elementary ages, how CLASS supports science learning, and how to make science more accessible to ECE teachers so they can better engage students.

This episode was previously shared as the director's cut. Today, enjoy the full, extended edition of this conversation!

Topics Discussed in This Episode

7:58 Gaps in the research about science education and what their report found

10:25 How research relates to CLASS

12:30 Understanding how we got here

15:12 Science needs to be an active process

16:20 What makes up science

19:17 The presence of Instructional Support

20:00 Making science accessible for ECE educators

24:00 Goal-directed learning

29:15 How infants observe the world

33:10 What researchers observed

34:20 Veronica’s experience of helping educators make teaching science easier

36:10 Engaging with children's questions about science and the world

38:00 Parallel process and educator curiosity

40:00 Making it clear that science is part of family routines

43:00 Why the research paper was published and how it relates to equity and justice

48:42 There is more than one way to do science

50:12 The importance of meeting both children and educators where they are with science

Resources

Marnetta Larrimer

Dr. Daryl Greenfield

Veronica Fernandez