124. Data Hesitant & Advocacy-Centered Educators with Matthew Courtney, EdD

We ask so much of teachers, from customizing learning to being that trusted adult some children don’t have at home to advocating for individual children. And yet we also still ask them to start from square one at the beginning of every school year, gathering data about their students so they can serve them best.

The added challenge is that many of our teachers aren’t skilled in digging into data and using it effectively. Why aren’t school districts and states creating resources for our teachers so they can focus on the art of teaching? The technology is there, but we’re not using it wisely.

This week on the podcast, I’m talking with Dr. Matthew Courtney, an educator, researcher, and policy maker who helps to build more capacity in teachers and leaders through deep analyses of learning. Matthew is also an experienced advocate who shares with us how educators can put on their own advocate hats without getting burned out.

I feel so strongly about Matthew’s work that I’ve asked him to join us on our next EdActive Collective meeting in September so our members can further their own important advocacy work.

Be sure to tune in.

Dr. Matthew Courtney specializes in using data and research to support schools and teachers as they work to improve teaching and learning. As an educator, researcher, and policy maker, he focuses his efforts on building capacity in teachers and leaders to perform deep analyses of learning. When educators are faced with persistent problems of practice, he shows them how to tap into the existing research literature to solve their problem and to apply research methodologies to rigorously test their solutions. Dr. Courtney is dedicated to helping the education profession fully self actualize into an evidence-based profession that relies on deep thinking, collaboration, and a joint commitment towards advancing scientific knowledge of teaching and learning in the field.

• [1:21] - Data and policy to make learning better - unpacking them
• [1:43] - what started matthew on school transformation journey
• [3:38] - Why busy teachers need to educate themselves about data
• [5:27] - Data driven decision an elementary school teacher might make
• [6:22] - We use data indirectly more than we realize
• [7:40] - Overcoming the learning curve
• [10:01] - Exploratory data analysis - having a conversation with your data
• [13:03] - Build a team of evidence informed practitioners
• [13:20] - The importance of doing advocacy work
• [15:08] - Policy change on mental health and wellbeing
• [16:42] - Visit state board of education websites to find out what they’re working on
• [17:55] - Once you’ve listened to a few meetings, advocate early and often
• [18:28] - You need to learn how to advocate before you speak out about things that are level 10 issues for you
• [19:47] - Policy starts in state legislature with regulations
• [22:10] - Turbo Time
• [26:14] - What people need to know about data driven school improvement
• [28:58] - To be an activist, just start
• [30:59] - Matthew’s Magic Wand
• [32:20] - Maureen’s Takeaways

• Follow Matthew on Twitter
• Connect with Matthew on LinkedIn
• Visit Matthew’s website
• Exploratory Data Analysis in the Classroom by Matthew B. Courtney, EdD
• The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together by Heather McGhee
• 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