Elizabeth Pittman, a chemistry teacher at Spruce High School, was driving in her car and listening to NPR when she heard a story about a restorative discipline pilot program being implemented in New Zealand public schools. Pittman was intrigued by the story on the pilot program, which rethinks how teachers and administrators discipline students. She ended up applying and receiving a Fulbright Distinguished Teacher Award to travel to New Zealand to study the pilot program in person. In today’s ep...
Dec 09, 2015•19 min
With 130 officers and 220 employees, the Dallas ISD Police Department is among the largest of all police departments in the state. In this episode of Ed Talk with Dr. Bob Bravo, a podcast hosted by the Dallas ISD Chief of School Leadership, Dallas ISD Police Chief Craig Miller discusses the benefits of the school district having its own police department. Miller also tells Bravo about when it’s appropriate for a teacher or school administrator to call the Dallas ISD police department, how a teac...
Dec 02, 2015•29 min
Two Dallas ISD schools—Trinidad “Trini” Garza Early College High School at Mountain View College and Harry Stone Montessori and IB World School—were named National Blue Ribbon schools in September. Curious what is it like to lead or work at a Blue Ribbon School? Or what sets a Blue Ribbon School apart from other schools? This episode of Ed Talk with Dr. Bob Bravo, a podcast hosted by the Dallas ISD Chief of School Leadership, talks with Trini Garza Principal Dr. Janice Lombardi and Lisa Curry, w...
Nov 18, 2015•24 min
In today’s episode of Ed Talk with Dr. Bob Bravo, Dr. Bravo picks the brain of Irma De La Guardia, the 2014 Bilingual Education Teacher of the Year who this year transitioned into a role as Assistant Principal at Cabell Elementary. In the episode, De La Guardia talks about her effort as a teacher to take advantage of every instructional minute and what inspired her to move out of the classroom to become an Assistant Principal. She also offers helpful tips for newer teachers, as well as advice fo...
Nov 11, 2015•19 min
In this episode of Ed Talk with Dr. Bob Bravo, listeners can learn more about the leadership development opportunities in Dallas ISD. Dr. Bravo, Dallas ISD Chief of School Leadership, talks with Joe Miniscalco, Executive Director of the Dallas ISD Leadership Academies, about the district’s efforts to develop the leadership skills of administrators and interested teachers. The discussion also goes into a new speaker series that brings policy makers and national education leaders to talk with Dall...
Nov 04, 2015•23 min
In this episode of Ed Talk with Bob Bravo, Dr. Bravo, Dallas ISD Chief of School Leadership, speaks with Brian Lusk, the Executive Director of the H. Grady Spruce High School feeder pattern, and John Quincy Adams Elementary Principal Nancy Bernardino. The conversation explains how Learning Objectives (LOs) aim to focus a class on what a teacher wants students to learn in a lesson, while Demonstrations of Learning (DOLs) help teachers check if students understand the lesson. The podcast also talk...
Oct 28, 2015•31 min
Today’s episode of Ed Talk with Dr. Bob Bravo talks about how Dallas ISD schools can form partnerships with the community and involve volunteers with school activities. Dr. Robert Bravo, the Dallas ISD Chief of School Leadership, talks with Tom Hayden and Imelda Alcala of the Dallas ISD Volunteer and Partnership Services department about the benefits of volunteering with the district. The discussion also goes through what steps a school needs to take to get connected with helpful volunteers....
Oct 14, 2015•15 min
Student discipline and truancy are the topics of today’s episode of Ed Talk with Dr. Bob Bravo. Dr. Robert Bravo, Dallas ISD Chief of School Leadership, talks with Martha Hawkins, supervisor of attendance improvement and truancy reduction, and Dr. C.A. Williams, director of the Office of Student Discipline and Truancy, about the changes in truancy law that went into effect this school year. The conversation also provides tips for teachers for what they can do to keep their students on the right ...
Oct 08, 2015•28 min
From teaching concentration and respect to endurance and strategy, chess brings many proven benefits besides the simply joy of checkmating an opponent. Today’s episode of Ed Talk with Dr. Bob Bravo focuses on the game that first appeared around A.D. 600 . In the podcast episode, Dr. Robert Bravo, Dallas ISD Chief of School Leadership, talks with Irasema Coy, a fourth-grade teacher at Runyon Elementary who led the school’s chess club, and a parent liaison at Runyon who helped with the club. The c...
Oct 06, 2015•23 min
Personalized learning—the subject of today’s episode of Ed Talk with Dr. Bob Bravo—aims to help students reach their fullest potential by tapping into their strengths, needs and interests. But what does a personalized learning classroom look like? And what are the benefits of personalized learning? In the podcast episode, Ashley Bryan, Dallas ISD Director of Planning and Special Projects, Julie Robinson, an instructional coach at Cabell Elementary, and Kristen Watkins, a manager of personalized ...
Sep 23, 2015•22 min
STEM, coding, and robotics—more specifically, a Robotics Smackdown—are the topics of this week’s episode of Ed Talk with Dr. Bravo. Dallas ISD STEM Executive Director Oswaldo Alvarenga, Director of Educational Technology Roland Antoine, and Educational Technology Coordinator Jeff Marx join Dr. Robert Bravo, the Dallas ISD Chief of School Leadership, to talk all things educational technology. The conversation touches on the district’s effort to get students involved with STEM-type activities at a...
Sep 22, 2015•23 min
Leading up to Sept. 18, which is when teachers will receive their first-ever TEI scorecards, this episode of Ed Talk with Dr. Bravo provides background and context on the district’s comprehensive teacher evaluation system. TEI director Lindsay Coshatt talks with Dr. Robert Bravo, the Dallas ISD Chief of School Leadership, about the three main components—defining excellence, supporting excellence, and rewarding excellence—that make up TEI. Coshatt explains that, under TEI, an effective teacher ov...
Sep 09, 2015•18 min
Sep 02, 2015•27 min
Aug 26, 2015•24 min
What’s the gold standard in education? Join the conversation, as Dr. Bravo and John Vladovic, Principal of Dodson Middle School, retrace the steps Dodson took along its journey to becoming a Golden Ribbon School.
Jun 05, 2015•32 min
Times passes quickly, and we sometimes neglect pausing to celebrate our accomplishments. Join Chris Cassidy, Dr. Amber McKinney, and Dr. Bravo as they remind us of our collective achievements, and remind us that there’s more to come. Opening and closing music "Poco a Poco" by José Coaro Fumero (lyrics), Luis Tejada (arrangement), and Tanya Avelleyra (lead vocalist).
May 29, 2015•20 min
Listen in as Dr. Bravo discusses summer professional development opportunities and recommended reading with Faynessa Armand, Eric Grow, and Lisa Saldivar. Opening and closing music "Poco a Poco" by José Coaro Fumero (lyrics), Luis Tejada (arrangement), and Tanya Avelleyra (lead vocalist).
May 22, 2015•21 min
A few weeks ago, Dr. Bravo interviewed two teachers who recently achieved National Board Certification. In this podcast, Dr. Bravo interviews Michael de la Torre, coordinator of the Support Network, to get additional insight into the certification process and to examine the impact National Board Certification has on one’s career, school, and community. Opening and closing music "Poco a Poco" by José Coaro Fumero (lyrics), Luis Tejada (arrangement), and Tanya Avelleyra (lead vocalist).
May 15, 2015•26 min
What does it mean to be college and career ready? Listen in as Dr. Bravo discusses the A-G graduation requirements for the class of 2017 with members of the ESC South instructional team and hear about promising practices teachers are using to help students succeed. Opening and closing music "Poco a Poco" by José Coaro Fumero (lyrics), Luis Tejada (arrangement), and Tanya Avelleyra (lead vocalist).
May 07, 2015•27 min
Teachers like their work to be research-based, but often taking that research from a study to the classroom can be challenging. Join Dr. Bravo and Dr. Nell Duke as they discuss how to practically implement research-proven pedagogy. Opening and closing music "Poco a Poco" by José Coaro Fumero (lyrics), Luis Tejada (arrangement), and Tanya Avelleyra (lead vocalist).
May 01, 2015•31 min
Smarter Balanced Assessments have arrived in Educational Service Center, South. What influence will 21st century testing have on our classrooms and our students? Join ESC South's Chris Cassidy and Elmer Choe as they discuss these and other matters with Bandini ES Principal, Robert Fenton, and Testing Branch Specialist, Moses Jorge. Opening and closing music "Poco a Poco" by José Coaro Fumero (lyrics), Luis Tejada (arrangement), and Tanya Avelleyra (lead vocalist).
Apr 24, 2015•22 min
What does it mean to achieve Natuonal Board certification? Dr. Bravo discusses the road to National board recognition with Teary August and Oscar Espinoza. Opening and closing music "Poco a Poco" by José Coaro Fumero (lyrics), Luis Tejada (arrangement), and Tanya Avelleyra (lead vocalist).
Apr 17, 2015•25 min
How can taking the DIBELS assessment today prevent reading difficulties tomorrow? Join with us, as Dr. Bravo, Chris Cassidy, Lisa Saldivar and Dayna Wells discuss the possibilities. Opening and closing music, da Bob Groove, composed by Martijn de Boer (NiGiD), featuring Admiral Bob.
Apr 10, 2015•26 min
Interviewers become interviewees, as Dr. Bravo discusses journalism with Donn Cottom, advisor to South East High School's Jaguar Times, and five promising young journalists. Opening and closing music, da Bob Groove, composed by Martijn de Boer (NiGiD), featuring Admiral Bob.
Mar 27, 2015•35 min
What’s it like to be part of a school-wide writing revolution? Find out as Dr. Bravo joins Tanya Avelleyra, Heidie Hoffman, and Mary Anne Tippin as they share their thoughts and tips for using Kelly Gallagher’s practices in the classroom. Opening and closing music, da Bob Groove, composed by Martijn de Boer (NiGiD), featuring Admiral Bob.
Mar 20, 2015•26 min
Join Dr. Bravo, author and teacher, Kelly Gallagher, and over two-hundred educators for a lively (and live) discussion that ranges from the Common Core State Standards, to the trouble with the five-paragraph essay, to how literature can serve as a rehearsal for life. Opening and closing music, da Bob Groove, composed by Martijn de Boer (NiGiD), featuring Admiral Bob.
Mar 13, 2015•27 min
What is it to be gifted? Listen in as Dr. Bravo and Dr. Debbie Dillard provide some surprising answers. Opening and closing music, da Bob Groove, composed by Martijn de Boer (NiGiD), featuring Admiral Bob.
Mar 06, 2015•20 min
Enjoy Dr. Bravo's conversation with science specialists, Amber McKinney and Keri Porter, as they discuss the connections that link children's books, Trash for Teaching and NASA to the science curriculum. Opening and closing music, da Bob Groove, composed by Martijn de Boer (NiGiD), featuring Admiral Bob.
Feb 27, 2015•28 min
Dr. Bravo joins history/social studies specialists, Dayna Wells and Emmalee Briggs, to discuss how an incisive understanding of informational text contributes to becoming a successful student and an informed citizen. Opening and closing music, da Bob Groove, composed by Martijn de Boer (NiGiD), featuring Admiral Bob.
Feb 20, 2015•29 min
Enjoy the conversation as Dr. Bravo and Dr. Laura Schiller, consultant for Teachers College of Columbia University, discuss Units of Study, the need for explicit instruction, and the indispensable role of writing in today’s world. Opening and closing music, da Bob Groove, composed by Martijn de Boer (NiGiD), featuring Admiral Bob.
Feb 13, 2015•23 min
