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 supporting students who seek advanced instruction in STEM and arts-related topics, including the Igloo project, which aims to enhance immersive learning experiences for students. The speakers also address the importance of communication and collaboration in gifted education, as well as the challenges faced in teaching gifted students.

Chillicothe City Schools: https://www.ccsd.us/page/gifted-services-and-talent-development

YouTube: https://youtu.be/5drymyZN_Ks

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 test scores, and the importance of data-driven insights for schools. They emphasize the need for personalized learning experiences and empathy for students as they prepare for success on state tests.

Lumos Learning: https://www.lumoslearning.com

YouTube: https://youtu.be/tT7JVg06gPM

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 conversation also touches on the social interactions of students in online settings, the challenges of parenting an online student, and the significance of in-person meetups for fostering community.

Crimson Global Academy: https://www.crimsonglobalacademy.school

YouTube: https://youtu.be/OuRFUNRYnpY

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 free and is available in the App Store.

Speech LP: https://speechlp.com

YouTube: https://youtu.be/oClWwe39F1U

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 foster effective partnerships. The conversation also touches on the future of parent-teacher conferences and the impact of technology on communication in education.

Oakridge Public Schools: https://oakridgeschools.org

YouTube: https://youtu.be/dn1_mLOl1gQ

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-solving. Susan emphasizes the need for educators to cultivate creativity in their classrooms and personal lives, while also addressing the evolving role of AI as a tool for enhancing creativity rather than replacing it.
Institute for Arts Integration and STEAM: https://artsintegration.com
Susan Riley: https://susanmriley.com

YouTube: https://youtu.be/65shdGVeLg8

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 discussion emphasizes hands-on learning techniques and the need for structured learning to prepare children for a future in a digital world.

Brooklyn Preschool of Science: https://brooklynpreschoolofscience.com

YouTube: https://youtu.be/XEh8TAuWmiA